Evil Shrimp

[becks]

About a month ago I got a ghost shrimp for my 10 gallon tank. Shes really cool and is obviosuly doing well as she has grown loads and moulted quite a few times. The only problem is that my fish keep losing their tails! She is turning into a bit of a bully, chasing my corys around and everyone had bits of fins missing (I have 3 corys and 6 x-ray tetras). I used to have some neons too, which all died, my fish shop guy said it might have been a bit overstocked, but now I think shrimpy might be to blame!

I'd be really loathed to give her up, as I've wanted a shrimp for ages, she does a good job of cleaning up and shes fascinating to watch... but it cant be much fun for my poor fishes! Any ideas what I can do? Should I just feed her more? The fish can usually escape during the day, most of the damage happens at night when theyre asleep. I tried a bit of a desperate measure by putting her in a bowl inside the tank (was just going to be for overnight), but she started freaking out so I took her out again. I've run out of ideas! Any help much appreciated.

Becks

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Are you sure it's the shrimp?

Best course may be to get another tank. You could make it a shrimp/ puffer tank, I bet they can hold their own.

As for shrimp being bullies, there was another member who had the same problems, but his shrimp attacked his neons during the day, in plain sight. His response was to flush the shrimp, but I don't think you should resort to that.

 

[becks]

Yeah, its definately the shrimp, I catch her chasing them sometimes.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Can you move her?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

By the way, how do you know it's a she? Did she come with eggs?

 

[wuvmybetta]

uhhhm, are you sure it's a ghost shrimp? It sounds like a prawn! Does it have a red thin stripe going from it's face to it's back?

 

[becks]

Yeah, she has laid eggs a few times... no babies though I guess someone eats them. Good job though since I dont have room for 500 shrimps!

Cant move her I'm afriad as I only have one tank, and dont yet have space or money for another!

 

[becks]

No red stripe wuvmybetta, although her tail has a reddish tinge to it. I was assured she was definately a shrimp.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Hm.

Well, I can't quite offer you much help then besides adding more ghost shrimp.

Is this it?Link to pic

 

[wuvmybetta]

Ghosties really don't grow that much, but prawn (and other shrimps) get pretty huge!

I bought some that were tiny and believed to be ghost shrimp, but they grew and grew and started attacking my fish,they had to be done away with.

 

[becks]

That looks like her... apart from the peaceful bit maybe! I've just taken a photo, not sure if the attachment will work though

 

[Tempestuousfury]

That definitely looks like a ghost shrimp.

Like I said, if you can add more shrimp the aggression might only take place between the shrimp. perhaps if you added decorations or a place that the shrimp could stake as its territory?

 

[becks]

She has a little cave which she stays in most of the day... but the fish are too stupid not to go near it! and in the evening and at night she tends to go wandering... I guess I'll just have to hope they get better at realising not to bother her, their tails grow back quite quick, I just dont like them getting hurt!

Thanks for your help by the way, everyone on this board is much friendlier than other places I've tried