Amano shrimp have become one of the most beloved invertebrates for freshwater aquariums. Not only do they act as natural tank cleaners, they are also excellent at digesting any organic waste products or uneaten food items that remain.
Skittish by nature, fish are easily startled. By providing plenty of hiding places such as plants or silk plants, driftwood, rocks and aquatic ornaments they will feel safer. Also ensure the water quality and filtration system meets their size needs.
Ghost Shrimp
Ghost shrimps are an extremely popular choice among aquarists due to their small size, ease of care and unique appearance. Ghost shrimp make great tank cleaners; scouring the bottom for food debris and deposition while clearing away algae deposition. In addition, ghost shrimp enjoy feeding off leftover meals from Betta fish meals and will happily devour any dead plant matter present in their tank as well. With such a broad diet range available to them they make great additions for community tanks where food flakes can be shared among various fish species.
Ghost shrimp should be kept in groups of at least five or six, as they tend to get lonely when kept alone. As ghost shrimp are prey species and will be consumed by any larger fish that come near, feeding your ghost shrimp a diet rich in proteins and fats will ensure they remain strong and healthy.
Ghost shrimp, like other crustaceans, can be susceptible to numerous diseases and infections. One such infection involves bacteria presenting as small pink spots on its body. When this happens, it's critical that any affected shrimp be removed immediately from its tank to stop further spreading of infection to other shrimp in its environment.
Muscle necrosis, which causes loss of muscle movement, can be caused by poor water quality, stress or parasite infestation in their aquarium environment. Therefore it is vital that they receive frequent water changes for optimal health of ghost shrimp in their tank environment.
Ghost shrimp tend to prefer heavily planted tanks with plenty of hiding spaces such as rocks, fake plants, driftwood and decorations with little caves for your ghost shrimp to hide away in. Furthermore, ghost shrimp appreciate filters which won't suffocate them like some systems can do when too powerful for this species of shrimp.
Cherry Shrimp
Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are brightly-colored freshwater crustaceans popular with aquarium owners. As scavengers and algae eaters, cherry shrimp can be kept alongside betta fish in an adequately-sized tank for easy care; however they may become sensitive to changes in water conditions.
An ideal tank for two cherries would include a filter system that produces a gentle current while simultaneously maintaining low levels of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates - thus preventing ammonia spikes while keeping the nitrogen cycle functioning as intended so that your betta receives nourishment from his food sources.
Cherry shrimps are active creatures and require plenty of hiding spaces and plant cover in their aquarium so that they feel secure enough to explore all areas. Furthermore, plant cover helps provide them with food sources.
These shrimps do not live long in captivity and generally only last around a year in captivity if conditions are favorable; a tank with aggressive fish or that becomes stressed easily could kill these organisms more rapidly.
Cherry shrimp coloration is determined primarily by its diet. The brighter its hue, the more carotenoids it consumes. To maximize color saturation and promote overall health, it's recommended that these shrimp be fed a combination of protein-rich foods (flakes or pellets) as well as vegetables like zucchini or peas for optimal growth and color development. You could even try supplementing with algae wafers to add extra calcium.
These shrimps can be easily bred and are great starter fish for beginners. However, aggressive or feisty bettas should not be housed together in one tank as this could result in them hunting down and killing each other. If you would like to attempt breeding shrimps yourself as an amateur hobbyist, make sure there are many hiding spaces within the tank so bettas don't recognize or attack the shrimps as this will reduce chances of detection by their predator.
Amano Shrimp
Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) has become one of the most beloved freshwater tank species among aquarists today. The name comes from Takashi Amano, a Japanese aquarist and aquascaper who discovered this particular shrimp species could help remove algae build-up in his tank; many hobbyists now also utilize these Amano shrimps as cleaners!
Amano shrimps can be distinguished from others by the flat, thin pieces of shell that cover their bodies, which contract or expand slightly according to the needs of each shrimp. Their tails also contain segments made up of similar shell segments which move freely with regards to positioning so as to alter their body shape, thus providing extra space or tightening up when desired.
Like other species of freshwater shrimps, Amano shrimps undergo a natural process known as molting in which they shed their old shell to make room for their new one. At this stage of development, the shrimp will typically seek refuge within rock caves or driftwood roots while its new shell hardens. This helps protect it from being injured or eaten by tank inhabitants during this vulnerable transition phase.
Amano Shrimp are peaceful aquatic species that can co-habitat with other freshwater aquarium residents, including small to medium-sized community fish such as Guppies, Cory Catfish, Asian Stone Catfish, Neon Tetras and Hillstream Loaches. However, aggressive or predatory fish species should not be housed with them.
Amano Shrimp are an ideal tank companion for Betta fish because of their ability to act as grazing feeders, eating leftover food, decaying plant material and biofilm. However, Amano Shrimp alone cannot completely solve a problem of excess algae growth as the true culprit lies with water conditions within an aquarium.
