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Re:Re: More shrimp questions...

10 Aug 2001 18:03:21 -0700
Robert H <robertpaulh at earthlink_net> wrote on Aug 10 2001:

" "William wrote...
I'm starting to wonder, since I've heard some things about these shrimp
not being particularly hardy, would it be a good idea to just buy, say,
five or so and see if I can keep them alive?"

I keep Amano shrimp, Ghost shrimp, and Bumble bee shrimp together with
little problem. Over the past year I have observed some interesting
things
though. When I attempted to keep these shrimp in a large, very brightly
lit
tank housing south american cichlids ranging from 2 to 5", the shrimp
stayed
hidden most of the time, appeared not to eat, and eventually
disappeared.
Two factors I believe were involved: A) the bright light,
4watts/gallon,
caused them to hide most of the time, and B) the fish competed with
them for
food. Although it may be possible, I do not believe any of the
herbivore
fish themselves were feeding on the shrimp, but they were definetly
chasing
them away in competition for food.

In their present tank the lighting is much lower, 2watts/gallon and the
fish
are mostly Rasborahs, a schooling fish, and a couple of Flag fish. The
shrimp in this tank have thrived for several months, come out into the
open
frequently, and even survived a long move and restart of the tank. Even
the
Bumble bee shrimp which is the smallest and most delicate have done
very
well.

All of the shrimp, including the Amano need more than just algae to
feed on.
They go nuts for shrimp flake, ironicaly enough, and need protein as
part of
their diet. The flag fish chases them momentarily, but not anywhere
near as
much as the cichlids did, and do not seemed at all bothered by Corys.
Any
fish over 3" though that will aggresively compete with them at the
bottom,
or on any terraces for food will send them into permanant hiding.

Robert Paul H"

This is preceisely the experience I have been having with shrimp in a
large tank with rainbows and 4 watts per gallon.  Although the shrimp
are growing in size the need places to hide, prefer darker to lighter,
and don't like fish to get near them.

Scott H


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