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The bug has bitten


ineke

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:oHi All,

I'm very new to Shrimp keeping. I have 2 tanks , one a100 litre community tank and another 34 litre. I have only just recently come back to fish keeping but in the past have kept several aquarium and also worked in a petshop that stocked a large number of tanks. HOWEVER in the 20 years since working in the shop fish keeping and fish breeds in general have changed hugely and now I find myself a newbie again:D

Saturday a week ago I was given 4 female Red Cherry Shrimp when buying plants from a private seller. I put them in my smaller tank , a 34 litre holding a few plants and several female Bettas and 2 corys. I watched spellbound as these little shrimp ambled round my tank totally unafraid of my Bettas who looked but didn't chase. By the following Thursday off I trotted to another Shrimp Keeper who had Cherries for sale- I bought 10 including 4 boys but was very disappointed that they were so small but in hindsight that means young and will be around longer:beaten:. Anyway on the way home went to LFS and bought 4 more large girls. Got home and acclimatised all. A few minutes later I noticed the Bettas chasing the small Shrimp so out came the Bettas. Shortly after I had my first baby shrimp:encouragement: not my doing I know but great anyway. Yesterday I couldn't see the babies anywhere so out came the cories.This morning I saw another very young female shrimp head for the java moss and I have just found 3 very tiny babies out and about. My biggest fear at the moment is my tank hasn't finished cycling but hopefully with the smaller bio load it will be ok.

Cheers

Ineke

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Welcome to SKF,

sounds like you off to a good start and learning quickly :)

most shrimp sold by private breeders are all sold as juvenile shrimp.

you are better buying them this way as you will get a better mix of sexes.

any pics of the tank?

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Welcome to SKF Ineke...This forum has plenty of info and advice if required on shrimp keeping / breeding ...Happy shrimping...CJ

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Hi Dean,

I will try and upload a picture later today. Have just noticed another berried female so looking good. Hope the water conditions will be ok as the tank is still only new for me but have used filter media from a cycled tank and doing water changes every few days.

My readings are

PH 7.4 this has been stable from day one ,the water from my tap is 7.4 and I have ordered some Indian almond leaves hoping to bring it down slowly.

Ammonia is 0.25 but should be better next time I do this as all the fish are gone

Nitrate is 5

Nitrite is 5.

the tank has just started it's 3rd week.

Ineke

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Hi Neo-shrimp,

Thanks for the welcome. Can't wait to be able to access the info

Cheers

Ineke

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Welcome to SKF .... great read, yes, in with the shrimps and out all others...LOL. I find them so fascinating and great to watch.

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Hi Bluebolts,

It certainly seems to be the way, poor fish, I've slightly overcrowded my community tank now with fish from the shrimp tank. Just hope I don't put all the fish in the small tank to give the shrimp a nice big one LOL.

No a new one will be the go if I succeed in keeping these fellows healthy.

Cheers

Ineke

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post-1520-1399098482_thumb.jpgpost-1520-139909848205_thumb.jpgpost-1520-13990984821_thumb.jpg

Picture of one of the girls, if anyone can tell me the name of the plant I would appreciate it. Next 2 pictures of tank now minus the cory. Note stocking over filter inlet to stop babies getting sucked in. Will be getting a sponge filter but will need to run both until tank fully cycled ;0)

post-1377-139909847627_thumb.jpg

post-1377-139909847631_thumb.jpg

post-1377-139909847636_thumb.jpg

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Hey Ineke, welcome to SKF.

I suspect your plant is actually a terrestrial species and not an aquatic species, so unsuitable for life in the aquarium. The reason I think that is because of the thick veins and general shape of the leaves. I could be wrong but if I'm right, the plant will die slowly over the next few weeks, possibly killing your shrimp in the process. Try and ID it as soon as possible.

Where did you get it?

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Hi fishmosy,

I got it at a local petshop but they didn't know what it was. I thought it looked quite nice but it isn't getting any roots forming. I will replace it today- thanks for the headsup!!! I will go to the LFS and get something I can identify.

Cheers

Ineke

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...... I put them in my smaller tank ' date=' a 34 litre holding a few plants and several female Bettas and 2 corys. I watched spellbound as these little shrimp ambled round my tank totally unafraid of my Bettas who looked but didn't chase. [/quote']

tell me about it hey? Something about how those shrimps just go about their business is quite a sight to behold!

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Hi Kaichaina,

Yes I think they are real time wasters, I seem to gravitate to the tank just to sit and watch them. So busy all the time jumping from plant to plant LOVE IT

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Hello ineke, Don't worry to much about the cherries, on the whole they are tough little critters, nice to see you enjoying them. I hope you have a good time at SKF Enjoy!

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Hi Masta ,Sorry I missed your post with all the worry about the plant in my tank. Thanks for the welcome and I do love all the info here and the very generous people here at SKF

Cheers

Ineke:)

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Hi Wayne6442,

Thanks for the welcome. I am so pleased they are tough little creatures as my tank wasn't fully cycled when they were put in and then the wrong plant:redface-new: But they all seem to be going well and multiplying. Love your dogs oops furbabies . I've got 2 shihtzu crosses one with pekingese and the other with chihuahua.

Cheers

Ineke

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