Keeping Shrimp?

[LiamGoodaire]

hi everyone, my tank is not yet cycled however when it is im very interested in keeping shrimp, looking through profiles ive seen some species such as the "cherry" "tiger "red crystal" are you able to keep different breeds together? also i should imagine very little waste is produced so how many could be kept? what food would you guys advise, would you use seperate foods for the shrimp or simply use the flake from the others? finally ive discussed this before in another topic but would you agree that "galaxy rasboras" and "endler guppies" would be fine as tankmates? cheers goodaire

 

[elisew]

The amount of shrimp you could keep would be dependant on the size of your tank. Many shrimp feed very well on a combination of flake, bloodworm, algae wafers etc so it would also depend on what your fish stocking plans are too. Can you post a list of the kinds of fish you`re planning on keeping and the size of your tank?

You`d be much better off if you plan your fish first, then adding shrimp as an after thought as many fish will see shrimp as a nice snack which can end up being expensive. The rasbs and endlers would be great to keep alongside shrimp, as they have such small mouths that it may only end up being a few baby shrimp such as the cherry shrimp that could be munched although my galaxy rasbs thought nothing of having a go at some of the adults

 

[LiamGoodaire]

The amount of shrimp you could keep would be dependant on the size of your tank. Many shrimp feed very well on a combination of flake, bloodworm, algae wafers etc so it would also depend on what your fish stocking plans are too. Can you post a list of the kinds of fish you`re planning on keeping and the size of your tank?

You`d be much better off if you plan your fish first, then adding shrimp as an after thought as many fish will see shrimp as a nice snack which can end up being expensive. The rasbs and endlers would be great to keep alongside shrimp, as they have such small mouths that it may only end up being a few baby shrimp such as the cherry shrimp that could be munched although my galaxy rasbs thought nothing of having a go at some of the adults

the tank is only 26l and they are the only fish im considering stocking due to the size, thats why i was checking if they were ok how many would you advise to stock of the shrimp altoghether as i would like a nice mixture of species?

 

[elisew]

I would recommend cherry shrimp only personally. Mixing certain shrimp can lead to hybrids which isn`t good for anyone, not you because you`ll end up overun with shrimp that you probably can`t get rid of and not for the shrimp genetically and also the cost is much cheaper to have cherries only. A lot of the higher priced shrimp such as crystal reds, snowballs, Blue Tigers etc can be very expensive and very sensitive to water quality.

You could easily start with about 10 cherry shrimp and in that number you would hopefully have male and female, but it wouldn`t take very long for you to end up with quite a few babies as the cherries are prolific breeders.....the rabbits of the shrimp world!
If you don`t mind the thought of lots of shrimp then by all means just go for it, the bioload is minimal so that won`t be an issue for you to be honest

Compatible shrimp:
http/www.theshrimpfarm.com/articles/dwarf-shrimp-compatibility-chart/

 

[LiamGoodaire]

I would recommend cherry shrimp only personally. Mixing certain shrimp can lead to hybrids which isn`t good for anyone, not you because you`ll end up overun with shrimp that you probably can`t get rid of and not for the shrimp genetically and also the cost is much cheaper to have cherries only. A lot of the higher priced shrimp such as crystal reds, snowballs, Blue Tigers etc can be very expensive and very sensitive to water quality.

You could easily start with about 10 cherry shrimp and in that number you would hopefully have male and female, but it wouldn`t take very long for you to end up with quite a few babies as the cherries are prolific breeders.....the rabbits of the shrimp world!
If you don`t mind the thought of lots of shrimp then by all means just go for it, the bioload is minimal so that won`t be an issue for you to be honest

Compatible shrimp:
http/www.theshrimpfarm.com/articles/dwarf-shrimp-compatibility-chart/

cheers thats pretty useful, yeah i have no problem with the quantity as there is high demand for these things how does forming hybrids effect them?

 

[elisew]

I can`t really copy info from other sites but if you have a look here: http/www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&xhr=t&q=hybrid+shrimp&cp=10&pf=p&sclient=psy&aq=0&aqi=&aql=&oq=hybrid+shr&pbx=1&fp=8fe4bc1dc511388d

You`ll see some of the reasons why hybridization is considered ethically and genetically wrong

 

[LiamGoodaire]

I can`t really copy info from other sites but if you have a look here: http/www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&xhr=t&q=hybrid+shrimp&cp=10&pf=p&sclient=psy&aq=0&aqi=&aql=&oq=hybrid+shr&pbx=1&fp=8fe4bc1dc511388d

You`ll see some of the reasons why hybridization is considered ethically and genetically wrong

thanks for that ive had a good luck around, however apart from appearence the only serious issue seems to be clarity of the species however this does not concern me tbh so is there a problem?

 

[elisew]

I can`t really copy info from other sites but if you have a look here: http/www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&xhr=t&q=hybrid+shrimp&cp=10&pf=p&sclient=psy&aq=0&aqi=&aql=&oq=hybrid+shr&pbx=1&fp=8fe4bc1dc511388d

You`ll see some of the reasons why hybridization is considered ethically and genetically wrong

thanks for that ive had a good luck around, however apart from appearence the only serious issue seems to be clarity of the species however this does not concern me tbh so is there a problem?

It`s not my call to make to be honest. It`s an individual thing as far as I`m concerned and although I personally wouldn`t risk hybridization occurring, I wouldn`t slate someone elses choice to do so, as long as the hybrids weren`t sold on as one thing instead of what they actually are

 

[LiamGoodaire]

accoriding to my teachings in A level biology hybrids are infertile anyway so only the pure bred species could breed so the numbers id get wouldnt be endless as there would only be 5/10 shrimp capable of breeding and the number of shrimp which could breed would ot be effected?

 

[elisew]

accoriding to my teachings in A level biology hybrids are infertile anyway so only the pure bred species could breed so the numbers id get wouldnt be endless as there would only be 5/10 shrimp capable of breeding and the number of shrimp which could breed would ot be effected?

All hybrids cannot be deemed as defintaely infertile, it is however a possible side effect of hybridization. Along with bad colour morps and the deformaties that can occur, the infertility is just one reason why it`s seen as unethical to cross breed.
At the end of the day as said above, it`s an individual choice. It`s something I personally wouldn`t do but my views and opinions are different to a lot of other peoples and I don`t expect anyone to take my views as gospel or as something that should be agreed with. We`re all different, that`s what makes the world go around

 

[LiamGoodaire]

accoriding to my teachings in A level biology hybrids are infertile anyway so only the pure bred species could breed so the numbers id get wouldnt be endless as there would only be 5/10 shrimp capable of breeding and the number of shrimp which could breed would ot be effected?

All hybrids cannot be deemed as defintaely infertile, it is however a possible side effect of hybridization. Along with bad colour morps and the deformaties that can occur, the infertility is just one reason why it`s seen as unethical to cross breed.
At the end of the day as said above, it`s an individual choice. It`s something I personally wouldn`t do but my views and opinions are different to a lot of other peoples and I don`t expect anyone to take my views as gospel or as something that should be agreed with. We`re all different, that`s what makes the world go around

ok thnaks so much for the info, obviously ive taken on board what youve ssaid and i accept your opinion however i think i might go with it