Ghost Shrimps As they are scavengers, they eat up the leftovers and keep the tank clean and algae free. They are common feeder fishes that require a stress-free environment. As they are translucent their inner workings of the body can be visibly seen.
Why need a beginner’s guide for Ghost Shrimp? Mostly they are used as feeder fishes and it is essential to know how to raise them in a community tank and this article has all the required information about keeping Ghost Shrimp as part of your aquarium
Ghost Shrimp – Overview
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Ghost Shrimp or glass shrimp |
| Scientific Name | Palaemonetes paludosus |
| Habitat or Origin | They are native to North America but are reared across the the world in farms |
| Average Size | They can grow up to 1.5 inches |
| Coloration | They are found in Black, grey, and yellow colors in a local pet store |
| Life Span | They are short spanned and they live up to a year |
| Diet | They can feed on anything which includes pellets, fakes, algae, plant detritus or any leftover food of other fishes. |
| Gender Identification | The females are larger in size and also have a green saddle underneath their bodies. The males are usually smaller |
| Behavior | They are active swimmers. They clear up the algal formation in the tank and also the leftovers. |
| Compatibility | They are peace-loving fishes hence can adapt to Cherry Barbs, Danios, Tetras, Hatchetfish, and other small cat fishes. |
| Ideal Tank Conditions | To breed these fishes, a 5-10 gallon water tank is sufficient. The tank should be a freshwater tank. The tank should also have caves and plants. A small filter outlet or an air pump can be kept. |
| Water Parameters | The temperature could be from 65- 82 degree F. the pH level could be 7.0-8.0 |
| Breeding | The females lay approximately 20-30 eggs. They appear as green spots near the legs of the female. The males later come and fertilize them. After fertilization, the female fishes can be shifted to a breeding aquarium. Once the eggs become fry, the females can be moved back to the main tank. The fry later becomes larva and then to a fully grown fish. |
| Common Diseases | Copper can cause fatal diseases to the shrimp |
| Approximate Cost | They cost an average of 3 USD to 5 USD and in southeast Asia/India they cost almost half the price |
| What to look when buying | Check if the fishes are bred for the home aquarium because the ghost shrimps which are bred as feeder fish do not live long. |
| Species in the Market | Cherry Shrimp, Amano Shrimp, Wood Shrimp etc. |
Gallery of Ghost Shrimp
References
- “Palaemonetes paludosus (Gibbes, 1850)”. Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- “Palaemonetes paludosus (riverine grass shrimp)”. Animal Diversity Web.
- Jerry G. Walls (2009). “Appendix 2. Freshwater shrimp in Louisiana”. Crawfishes of Louisiana. Louisiana State University.
- Doug Stamm (2008). “Appendix A. More about springs inhabitants”. The Springs of Florida