Can I Mix Platies & Shrimp?

[AmyStardust]

Hi There!

I bought my son 2 Platies for his birthday yesterday and he'd like some shrimp to go with them too... Would they mix well?

Any advice would be great!!

 

[Mr Bliss]

Hi There!

I bought my son 2 Platies for his birthday yesterday and he'd like some shrimp to go with them too... Would they mix well?

Any advice would be great!!

Yep. I'd get a small group (4 - 5 shrimp) as they'll feel more secure and be more active that way.

I just saw your other post, so I'd add that I wouldn't add the shrimp until the tank is fully cycled. They might not survive.

 

[AmyStardust]

Hi There!

I bought my son 2 Platies for his birthday yesterday and he'd like some shrimp to go with them too... Would they mix well?

Any advice would be great!!

Yep. I'd get a small group (4 - 5 shrimp) as they'll feel more secure and be more active that way.

I just saw your other post, so I'd add that I wouldn't add the shrimp until the tank is fully cycled. They might not survive.

Thanks for that!!

Do you think they'll be ok in a 17 Litre tank??

Also - is 5 days too soon to add them to then tank?

Oh - and one last thing - I know we've only had them 24 hours but the Platies look really depressed! Lol! They're both lying at the bottom of the tank not really moving and trying to hide - is this normal??

Thanks!!

 

[chesterscot]

do a water change theres most probs to much ammonia or somethin
scot

 

[Gilli]

Did you cycle your tank before you bought the fish?? If not then you are in trouble ! read up on cycling on a thread in this forum

Cycling an aquarium

Shrimp are wonderful little creatures and your son will spend hours watching them. I have 3 x amano shrimp which do a good job of keeping down the algae. I had a good laugh the other day when one of them had a tug of war with one of my rams for an algea wafer!!


Dont buy them unless your tank is fully cycled, and you have to keep the water quality near perfect as they are very sensitive to water quality. Dont add any meds to the tank - you will have to put any sick fish in a quarantine tank to treat as most meds will kill your shrimp.

You will also need plenty of plants for them to hide in when they shed their skins - after they do this they need time for the new shell to harden and they are vulnerable until then.

 

[minxfishy]

Dont add the shrimp until your tank is fully cycled and you have no ammonia or nitrIte for at least two weeks to be on the safe side. Shrimp are intolerant to any ammonia or nitrIte.

Also, do you have copper pipes? Shrimp are intolerant to copper too as I found to my cost when all mine died as I have old copper pipes in my house