My Shrimp

[simplysim]

Hi

I am quite new to fish keeping, and a couple of weeks ago i got, 3 algee eating shrimps and a cherry red shrimp since having these, the 3 Algee eating shrimps have hid away in a castle we have in the tank and never come out (they did shed there skins last night) and the red shrimp hides under a plant we have and we never see him, is this because we need to get more? Are they shy? Will they ever come out?

Thanks

 

[ollyhtafc]

Do you have any fish in there? Shrimps hide when they're shedding because after they've just shed they're basically just swimming jellies.

To be honest it's not uncommon for them to prefer dark spaces anyway. If you get some plants real or fake it could encourage them into those too

 

[simplysim]

Yes I do i have guppies, neon tetras, danio, platy.. thats what i was thinking I only have 1 plastic plant in there at the moment and was thinking of getting rid of it and gettings some nice real ones at the weekend. Im also a bit concerned that they are not getting any food at the fish are gobbling it all up.

Thanks

 

[ollyhtafc]

I think they'd probably be a bit more confident with greater numbers too
You can get some pretty good looking fake plants if you don't fancy real ones, its really just for a bit of cover for the shrimp so they feel safer if a fish gets a bit too curious.

RE: food, you could try (if you're feeding flakes) instead of sprinling flakes on top, put a little inbetween your fingers and dip it in the water first so it sinks a bit, there's more chance of food just getting sucked into the filter this way though so only do this every once in a while with tiny amounts. That's how i kept mine fed. Alternatively you could nip out and buy some sinking pellets, catfish pellets or vege ones, anything really aslong as they sink and are small enough for a shrimp to carry.

Even if you don't see them eating i wouldn't get too worried, they survive on any uneaten scraps pretty good.

 

[simplysim]

Hi
Thanks for your advice, im going to get a nother couple of shrimp and some new plants. I think my fish have eaten the shrimps shells, is this normal?
Thanks

 

[Piltdownpaul]

They eat the old shells for the calcium to build and reinforce their new shells. The more shrimp you have the more chance you have of seeing them. Feed them pellets occasionally and watch them chase them and push fish out the way to get them.!

 

[simplysim]

Ok thanks for telling me that as someone told me i shoudl remove the shells, lucky i didnt.

 

[Truck]

also shrimps have been known to pick white spots (parasite) off fish

 

[simplysim]

Interesting. I now have 4 algee eating shrimps and 2 red ones, I have bought a moss ball and some live plants heres hoping they will venture out every now and then.

 

[simplysim]

Hi
Its been 2 weeks now and my shrimp are still hinding away, I bought real plants and a moss ball and they still will not come out to play

 

[ollyhtafc]

Shrimp are prey animals so they're naturally a bit reclusive.
How big is your tank? Chances are you can fit a lot more in if you like.

 

[simplysim]

My tank is a round 30l biorb tank, I have been told that shirmps do not add to stock levels and have thought about getting more but what i dont want to do is buy more and we never see them. We currently have 2 red shrimp who hide under our rocks, and 4 algee ones who all hide in the castle which is a shame as i really like them.

Do you think if we got more they will feel more comfitable about coming out?

Thanks

 

[ollyhtafc]

Biorbs only have a small floor don't they..which is where shrimp tend to hang out a lot. But they do definately prefer to be in groups rather than alone. So adding a few more could only be a good thing in terms of making them feel more secure. You could try replacing the castle with some bogwood, a plant or moss covered rock or something, as long as there's somewhere for the shrimp to jump to and feel safe when they get startled. (quite a lot of the time ).

It's not true that they don't add anything to the bioload..obviously. But they add very little. In my humble opinion i think you could add a few more cherries. The algae eating shrimp (amano? Do they have a line running down their body?) are just hiding in the castle 'cos shrimps would rather be safe under cover than out free-swimming.

To tempt them out every now and then drop a little boiled broccoli or cucumber in and remove it after about 2 or 3 days if it's not all gone. You can even add fallen leaves...they love those! Best doing a little research on which type first.

 

[simplysim]

Thanks you have been really helpful, as i say all this one of my cherries is having a wonder round the tank.
I think i make you right and would love to add some more cherries.
Thanks again

 

[ollyhtafc]

You're welcome...takes no time at all to reply to a message