Ghost Shrimp

[gt-ere]

I am looking to set up a 5 gallon for some ghost shrimp, about 5. The tank is currently cycling, and i dont know what type of substarate to add. Should i add sand or gravel? And also what would be the best colour for the shrimp to be seen?

 

[saltynay]

Ghost shrimp is a generic name for a lot of species of shrimp coming from all environments (FW and marine) so you need to identify what type of "ghost" shrimp they are. Secondly 5 gallons will be too small for any paleomonetes or machrobrachium which are normally the taxonomic families glass/ghost shrimp come from as they grow large in maturity and live for many years.

 

[gt-ere]

i was told that the ones in the shop live for 1-2 years and grow to 1-2 inches. these are freshwater ones.

 

[saltynay]

i'm not sure i just plug it in through the sterio lol

Sounds like Amano shrimp (cardinia japonica)

 

[KraKen]

Glass shrimp are excellent swimmers and are even capable of hovering in the water, so if they shrimp your thinking of getting exhibit this behavior then they're "real" ghost shrimp.

As far as substrate goes imo sand is always better than gravel and black would be best for bringing out their colors.

 

[TylerFerretLord]

My ghosts hovered in the heavily stocked tank at the LFS, but never in the tank I keep them in(which was disappointing). They do it to keep what they're eating from being stolen by the others, and I suppose in a well-fed tank this isn't much of an issue unless you have loads of them.

They do swim quite gracefully, however.