Jump to content

Hello and newbie shrimp keeper


Mapsyd

Recommended Posts

Just one question to you all. After watching a few Youtube videos from a very well known American shrimp breeder, he says that snails are vital in a shrimp tank....I had a massive outbreak of MTS in my last set up and was hoping to avoid this again....do you recommend me getting some snails or not? a few mini ramshorn hitch hiked already in my new set up maybe 4, but if I do need snails what would you suggest I use? apparently shrimp eat their poo as it has great bacteria in it. Ramshorn? MTS?

Not sure what to do as last time MTS were a bit much and I don't believe I was over feeding as only had 5 Cherry barbs and 15 shrimp in there....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Something that burrows is the best choice I believe.@fishmosy or another here can advise on the best types.

[emoji173][emoji111][emoji445]
will

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, revolutionhope said:

Something that burrows is the best choice I believe.@fishmosy or another here can advise on the best types.

emoji173.pngemoji111.pngemoji445.png
will
 

Thanks again, hopefully @fishmosy will chime in with advice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@Paul Minett is another who could give you a list I just noticed him lurking ;-)

 

[emoji173][emoji111][emoji445]

will

 

 

 

 

Edited by revolutionhope
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most snail's are very beneficial to a tank mts are great for the substrate rams horns etc are a good clean up crew the shrimp like to feed on the microflora that grow in the slime trails. I'm sorry to say if the mts got out of control then there was a good chance you were overfeeding they usually like most snails only populate to the level of available food. Nerites are another good snail to have. As they leave plants alone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you @revolutionhope, As far as stocking for my tank, would you know anywhere I could purchase Bloody Mary or Sakura grade RCS? also looking for bright Tangerine tigers to mix with the reds....not sure if I can ask that here but thought to ask.

2 minutes ago, Paul Minett said:

Most snail's are very beneficial to a tank mts are great for the substrate rams horns etc are a good clean up crew the shrimp like to feed on the microflora that grow in the slime trails. I'm sorry to say if the mts got out of control then there was a good chance you were overfeeding they usually like most snails only populate to the level of available food. Nerites are another good snail to have. As they leave plants alone.

Thank you @Paul Minett, yes, perhaps you are right as the barbs were not that pleased at sinking food so most would have gone to waste. Where would one buy Nerites? thought they were only available in the US?

Edited by Mapsyd
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have bloody mary I can sell some. Send me a message if you're interested and we can work something out.

 

They're on buffering substrate too so will adapt to your tank conditions pretty readily.

 

877c5cbdfb40f93fce575caab9e117ad.jpg732d3675c1727fee2b89b36d71b60db7.jpg54d407355741e606d40244c0bef2e497.jpg2c1fcc0c5b37be5bd6085bda780d8d94.jpg

 

[emoji173][emoji111][emoji445]

will

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, revolutionhope said:

I have bloody mary I can sell some. Send me a message if you're interested and we can work something out.877c5cbdfb40f93fce575caab9e117ad.jpg732d3675c1727fee2b89b36d71b60db7.jpg54d407355741e606d40244c0bef2e497.jpg2c1fcc0c5b37be5bd6085bda780d8d94.jpg

emoji173.pngemoji111.pngemoji445.png
will
 

Oh WOW! that would be fantastic! I just love the RCS but this time around would prefer the redder forms for contrast....will message you when time comes, hopefully in the next week or so...thank you, that is excellent...now to find Tigers...LOL

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh WOW! that would be fantastic! I just love the RCS but this time around would prefer the redder forms for contrast....will message you when time comes, hopefully in the next week or so...thank you, that is excellent...now to find Tigers...LOL

@inverted: keeps some nice tangs as does@fishmosy: you might try messaging them. Come to think of it Paul does as well.

 

[emoji173][emoji111][emoji445]

will

 

 

 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, Mapsyd said:

Thank you @revolutionhope, As far as stocking for my tank, would you know anywhere I could purchase Bloody Mary or Sakura grade RCS? also looking for bright Tangerine tigers to mix with the reds....not sure if I can ask that here but thought to ask.

Thank you @Paul Minett, yes, perhaps you are right as the barbs were not that pleased at sinking food so most would have gone to waste. Where would one buy Nerites? thought they were only available in the US?

We have a few native varieties Aquagreen sells some someone else on here might know of another source. There was a Facebook snail page before but I'm not sure if it's still active.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, revolutionhope said:

@inverted: keeps some nice tangs as does@fishmosy: you might try messaging them. Come to think of it Paul does as well.

 

emoji173.pngemoji111.pngemoji445.png

will

 

 

 

Even better! and lastly, what food you recommend me buy for the shrimp? getting very confused with all the different types....was thinking Shrimp crack by Boss??

1 minute ago, Paul Minett said:

We have a few native varieties Aquagreen sells some someone else on here might know of another source. There was a Facebook snail page before but I'm not sure if it's still active.

Yes, I have seen that site. Will have another look and see what they would suggest. Thank you again.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shrimp crack is a good food for occasional feeding in my opinion maybe weekly. Boss aquaria is aussie and the owner did heaps to support the hobby before he got tired of some of the politics and games that goes on amongst some of the breeders. Snow / soy hull is good for an occasional leave-in food and so are mulberry apple and a range of other leaves, vegetables and flowers. There's a brilliant thread or two from@jayc that covers thay subject. Trick is to make sure the plant matter isn't an oily type (eg citrus leaves) and definitely it is best to know the source or if bought at shop I personally stick with certified organic produce only.

I could go on for a long time about feeding methods but everyone has different methods and opinions as usual. Seek out those threads from jayc. I can post you some leaves from my garden that I've already prepared (washed and blanched) and can spare a little soy hull for free for you to try out just cover my post cost. (or can send with the bloody mary if you end up grabbing them too obviously)

[emoji173][emoji111][emoji445]
will

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, revolutionhope said:

Shrimp crack is a good food for occasional feeding in my opinion maybe weekly. Boss aquaria is aussie and the owner did heaps to support the hobby before he got tired of some of the politics and games that goes on amongst some of the breeders. Snow / soy hull is good for an occasional leave-in food and so are mulberry apple and a range of other leaves, vegetables and flowers. There's a brilliant thread or two from@jayc that covers thay subject. Trick is to make sure the plant matter isn't an oily type (eg citrus leaves) and definitely it is best to know the source or if bought at shop I personally stick with certified organic produce only.

I could go on for a long time about feeding methods but everyone has different methods and opinions as usual. Seek out those threads from jayc. I can post you some leaves from my garden that I've already prepared (washed and blanched) and can spare a little soy hull for free for you to try out just cover my post cost. (or can send with the bloody mary if you end up grabbing them too obviously)

emoji173.pngemoji111.pngemoji445.png
will
 

Thank you Will, that is very kind and I really appreciate that. I have some IAL coming this week and already have a million Alder cones from the garden. I have a glass feeding dish coming this week also and as such was wondering if you had a specific store bought food that wont fall aprt to quickly but would also offer all the goodies the little guys need? will check out the posts by @jayc and see what I can dig up. Thank you again, you have been excellent.

PS how do shrimp travel from such a distance? is it a bit risky?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There's a risk certainly in summer. And there's a risk sending sulawesi shrimp in cooler months. Heat or cold packs can be utilised when necessary. If the shipper does things properly then usually there's no issues. I've only had one true fail and that was due to the bag breaking. I no longer use the cheaper bags for this reason and stick with genuine kordon ones although some continue to use the cheaper bags but often double-bag their shrimps.

[emoji173][emoji111][emoji445]
will

Shrimp crack is good stuff shrimp really love it - almost any shrimp specific food is fine from what I've found. The most important food by far though are the microorganisms that proliferate and form biofilm in a healthy tank with lots of surface area. Algae and moss are the ultimate for providing surface area.

[emoji173][emoji111][emoji445]
will

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, revolutionhope said:

There's a risk certainly in summer. And there's a risk sending sulawesi shrimp in cooler months. Heat or cold packs can be utilised when necessary. If the shipper does things properly then usually there's no issues. I've only had one true fail and that was due to the bag breaking. I no longer use the cheaper bags for this reason and stick with genuine kordon ones although some continue to use the cheaper bags but often double-bag their shrimps.

emoji173.pngemoji111.pngemoji445.png
will
 

Ok, well that certainly does keep my mind at ease as it is still cold here so they should not stress to much. Will look forward to contacting you soon.

15 minutes ago, revolutionhope said:

There's a risk certainly in summer. And there's a risk sending sulawesi shrimp in cooler months. Heat or cold packs can be utilised when necessary. If the shipper does things properly then usually there's no issues. I've only had one true fail and that was due to the bag breaking. I no longer use the cheaper bags for this reason and stick with genuine kordon ones although some continue to use the cheaper bags but often double-bag their shrimps.

emoji173.pngemoji111.pngemoji445.png
will
 

Shrimp crack is good stuff shrimp really love it - almost any shrimp specific food is fine from what I've found. The most important food by far though are the microorganisms that proliferate and form biofilm in a healthy tank with lots of surface area. Algae and moss are the ultimate for providing surface area.

emoji173.pngemoji111.pngemoji445.png
will
 

Ok, will try that one, heard good things about it. Should I add IAL and alder cones to aquarium now to get biofilm growing or wait until tank is completely cycled? am sure only a week away or so...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No harm in adding the IAL and alder cones now definitely. IAL takes a while to really start degrading and adding beneficial tannins and compounds to the tank. Also NB IAL is not a readily digestible food for shrimps it will sit in the tank for ages and only very gradually be consumed by comparison to other fruit trees leaves that people typically feed.

[emoji173][emoji111][emoji445]
will

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok, yes that makes sense as I remembered I used to get some now and then to add to tank and took ages for them to "break down"...will add cones now, how many do you suggest? I have millions which I soaked overnight in hot water to clean....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not too sure I've only ever used them sparingly as they're not cheap.

[emoji173][emoji111][emoji445]
will

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, revolutionhope said:

I'm not too sure I've only ever used them sparingly as they're not cheap.

emoji173.pngemoji111.pngemoji445.png
will
 

Well, I am happy to send you as many as you like! still have a few laying around in the garden...let me know.

PS I have a photo of them further back in this thread.

Edited by Mapsyd
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, revolutionhope said:

Something that burrows is the best choice I believe.@fishmosy or another here can advise on the best types.

emoji173.pngemoji111.pngemoji445.png
will
 

The native snails - the giant cone snail and the spiny marsh snail - are good in shrimp aquariums as they reproduce via larvae, not live-bearing. They are hard to track down though - I haven't seen any for sale for probably 12-18 months

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Mapsyd said:

will add cones now, how many do you suggest?

Uh, not too many. Depends on the size of your tank. But about 3 cones to 10L is enough, assuming no driftwood. Too many will send your pH plummeting. It can happen. Adding fewer is safer than adding too much.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, Mapsyd said:

tank is 46 litres... Would 6 be to many

I'd go with 4-5 first.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 hours ago, revolutionhope said:

Something that burrows is the best choice I believe.@fishmosy or another here can advise on the best types.

emoji173.pngemoji111.pngemoji445.png
will
 

You can also consider live blackworms too. Some planted tank folks and shrimp keepers use them to help aerate the soil and consume any uneaten food.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Join Our Community!

    Register today, ask questions and share your shrimp and fish tank experiences with us!

  • Must Read SKF Articles

  • Posts

    • beanbag
      Update to say that after a few gravel vacs, front wall scrub, moss / floating plant trim, that the condition seems to have improved.  My current theory is that it is due to waste / debris management, where "stuff" like that brown mulm accumulates in the substrate and behind the HMF filters.  Maybe some tanks can somehow deal with it, but mine can't.  Also another experienced shrimper suggested that maybe those "shell bugs" don't just live on the shrimps but also in this debris.  Maybe this is the reason some tanks fail due to "old tank syndrome" where all they need is a good gravel vac? Also, I am guessing that plant trim helps too because now more of the nutrients and light go into growing algae instead of more plants? Well anyway for this tank I will try weekly water change and monthly gravel vac / plant trim.  For my next tank, I'm thinking of something like an under-gravel system where this mulm can fall down and I vac it out.
    • sdlTBfanUK
      Good to have an update and good to hear you are getting shrimplets, so hopefully your colony will continue and you may not get to the point where you have to cull some to stop over population. These type of shrimp only live 12 - 18 months so the adult deaths may be natural? If you have the time I would do weekly 25% water changes, adding the new water via a drip system and do some vacuuming clean of the substrate each week, even if only a different bit each week! See if that helps in a few months and if it does then stick with that regime? It should help reduce any build-ups that may be occuring!
    • beanbag
      Hello again, much belated update: The tank still has "cycles" of 1-2 month "good streaks" where everybody seems to be doing well, and then a bad streak where the short antenna problem shows up again, and a shrimp dies once every few days.  I am not sure what causes things to go bad, but usually over the course of a few days I will start to see more shrimp quietly standing on the HMF filter, and so I know something is wrong.  Since I am not "doing anything" besides the regular 1-2 week water changes, I just assume that something bad is building up.  Here's a list of things that I've tried that are supposed to be "can't hurt" but didn't prevent the problem either: Dose every other day with Shrimp Fit (very small dose, and the shrimp seem to like it) Sotching Oxydator Seachem Purigen to keep the nitrates lower Keeping the pH below 5.5 with peat Things that I don't do often, so could possibly "reset" the tank back to a good streak, are gravel vac and plant trim, so maybe time to try those again. One other problem I used to have was that sometimes a shrimp would suddenly stop eating with a full or partially full digestive tract that doesn't clear out, and then the shrimp will die within a few days.  I suspected it was one of the foods in my rotation - Shrimp Nature Infection, which contains a bunch of herbal plant things.  I've had this in my food rotation for a few years now and generally didn't seem to cause problems, but I removed it from the rotation anyway.  I don't have a lot of adult Golden Bees at this point so I can't really tell if it worked or not. Overall the tank is not too bad - during the good streaks occasionally a shrimp will get berried and hatch babies with a 33-50% survival rate.  So while there are fewer adults now, there are also a bunch of babies roaming around.  I guess this tank will stagger on, but I really do need to take the time to start up a new tank.  (or figure out the problem)
    • jayc
      If that is the offspring, then the parents are unlikely to be PRL. I tend to agree with you. There are very few PRLs in Australia. And any that claim to be needs to show proof. PRL genes have to start as PRL. CRS that breed true after x generations doesn't turn it into a PRL. Neither can a Taiwan bee shrimp turn into a PRL despite how ever many generations. I've never seen a PRL with that sort of red colour. I have on Red Wines and Red Shadows - Taiwan bee shrimps. So somewhere down the line one of your shrimp might have been mixed with Taiwan bees and is no longer PRL. It just tanks one shrimp to mess up the genes of a whole colony. 
    • sdlTBfanUK
      Sorry, missed this one somehow! The PRL look fantastic and the odd ones look part PRL and part Red wine/Red shadow in the colour. They are still very beautiful but ideally should be seperated to help keep the PRL clean if you can do that.  Nice clear photos!
×
×
  • Create New...