Mary Allen
Some species of shrimp are easy to keep and beautiful to look at. No wonder versatile invertebrates can be found in more and more aquariums. From the crystal red dwarf shrimp “Crystal Red” to the beautifully marked Ringhand shrimp to the 10 cm large fan shrimp, there are a number of species that guarantee a colorful hustle and bustle in the underwater world.
Algae? No Problem!
Shrimp are not only beautiful but also practical. They will even help you with the care of the aquarium: the sociable animals love fresh algae. With their hairy fans on their claws, they easily catch the green water polluters from the open water or from the bottom of the aquarium. Thanks to this practical preference, they ensure a – at least optically – clean aquarium around the clock.
Vegetarian Treats
The shrimp are already quite well supplied with the aquarium’s own supplies, but it is ideal, for example. B. to distribute sea almond tree leaves in the aquarium as a natural food base. In addition, you can feed them a variety of foods, but not too often. There is special shrimp food for this, which can also be replaced by ornamental fish food with a high proportion of vegetable components. Whether flake food, granules, or food tablets – shrimp are not choosy when it comes to the dosage form of their food. You can even give them fresh vegetables to eat, but you should boil them beforehand.
Attitude in the Group
The colorful shellfish can well cared for both in a tank specially designed for them alone and in a community with other peaceful aquarium inhabitants. Your roommates should just not be very tall and not too hectic. In order for sociable beings to feel really comfortable, they should have at least five conspecifics around them.
Different Types of Reproduction
Shrimp reproduce in a variety of ways. Some species engage in brood care, others do not. The “brood-care guy” also includes the Crystal Red, which carries 20 to 50 eggs on its swimming legs, from which fully developed young shrimp hatch after about four weeks. The other reproductive type, which includes the fan shrimp, releases several hundred larvae into the water. These types of shrimp are not suitable for breeding in the aquarium, as the larvae need brackish or seawater to develop. In their natural environment, they are therefore washed into the sea shortly after release, where they continue to develop and grow into adult shrimp. They then migrate back to freshwater.