Creating A Hiding Place For My Cherrys

[Andypalf]

I bought about 30 Cherry Shrimp about 2 months ago. Sadly (and I apologise for this, I didn't quite do my research before the purchase) I thought that the tetras wouldn't go for them, however they did and the numbers werre decimated until there were about 5 or 6 adults remaining.
The current stocking is about 15 tetras (X-Ray, Cardinal and Serpae), 7 Harlequins, 2 BN plecs and 1 Male Pearl Gourami (very very placid fella). Along with 7 amano shrimp and 30 odd cherry shrimp.
So the cherrys are breding happily now and the young are finding refuge in a loose bundle of java moss in the tank. I'd really like to give them all a little help to boost the population and provide something that offers them a good home with lots of hiding places.

Any suggestions on what sort of feature offers them this?

 

[drewry]

if you havent got a spair tank you could always try a tank divider
that will give them a section to them selfs


regards dave

 

[Andypalf]

Cheers Dave. I'm not really looking to divide the tank up. To be honest I'm happy for a little natural selection to take place but would like to give them a home as such, somewhere they are safe. They've already taken refuge in this bundle of moss...just would like to give them something along the lines of a permanent structure.

 

[mcgrimes]

I have an array of tetras in my community tank, and have never seen them kill or harm any of my shrimp.
At most, they would inspect a shrimp they are unfamiliar with if it swam or dropped past them. I put a few pregnant green shrimp in there a few months ago, as they do nothing but breed, and im unfortunate to see some survivors!

 

[Andypalf]

Well I've only seen the Red Serpae manage to eat them. But all the others had a good go at chasing them all around the tank. Like I said, 30 went in and it wasn't for a couple days after that I spotted a few survivors. They've since settled in and numbers are on the increase again.

 

[Truck]

cut up some lengths of PVC pipe that is about an inch in diameter, and tie them together and put them in, they should provide refuge if they feel threatened

 

[saltynay]

They will hide in any pipe larger then 8mm in my experience for adults 12mm is sufficient

 

[liana_y2kuk]

cut up some lengths of PVC pipe that is about an inch in diameter, and tie them together and put them in, they should provide refuge if they feel threatened

Will this pipe sink or would something need to be tied to it?

 

[saltynay]

Should sink if needed plant weights made of zinc can be superglued to it.