Most neocaridina shrimp breed readily in captivity. However, they require stable water conditions and regular tank changes.
CRS prefer acidic water with a low ph as this helps them molt and breed. They also need a low GH reading to help with their calcium and magnesium content.
Water remineralizers are a good way to achieve these parameters, as well as using RO (Reverse Osmosis) water.
1. Water Temperature
The first thing you must do to ensure a healthy shrimp colony is maintain the right water temperature. Different species of freshwater shrimp have varying water parameters and temperature preferences, so you need to research the specific type of shrimp that you want to keep in order to get the best conditions for them.
A temperature that is too hot can cause shrimp to molt prematurely, so it’s important to make sure the tank temperatures are in the right range. The ideal temperature for tiger, bumblebee, and bee shrimp is between 19 and 25 degrees Celsius. This is the optimum temperature for breeding these types of shrimp because it helps them to reproduce and thrive.
Shrimp can tolerate slightly higher temperatures than fish, but they must be acclimated to the new temperature over the course of a few days. You may want to add a few large pieces of driftwood to the tank to provide them with places to hide and rest. A good idea is to plant some Java moss in the tank as well, as this will be a source of nutrients for the shrimp. They’ll graze on the microscopic food particles and algae that are living on the moss.
Another good idea is to have a spare 10-gallon tank on standby, just in case something goes wrong with the main tank. This way you can move your shrimp into the spare tank and continue to care for them, such as one from rareshrimp.com.
2. Water pH
You might have learned about pH in chemistry class or for a science project, but water pH is a vital aspect of keeping healthy shrimp. It’s a measurement of the concentration of hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution, and it is used to describe how acidic or basic a liquid is. The lower the pH score, the more acidic the water is; the higher the score, the more basic the water is.
Water pH influences the chemical properties of a solution, as well as its interaction with other substances in it. For example, a high pH may make certain minerals more available, while a low pH may make heavy metals more toxic. A changing pH level can also be a sign of other contaminants or bacterial activity in the water.
Although the specific water needs for different species vary slightly, most ornamental shrimp are tolerant of healthy tap water conditions. The exception is Neocaridina davidi (red cherry) and Caridina cantonensis (bee, crystal red, and tiger shrimp). These species require a specific balance of calcium and magnesium to ensure that their shells are strong enough to resist damage during the complex process of molting.
The best way to measure your aquarium’s water pH is with a pH kit, which includes ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate tests, as well as a ph indicator. Alternatively, you can use litmus paper, which changes color based on the pH of the substance touching it.
3. Water Hardness
Water hardness is the amount of dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. Hard water does not pose any health risk, but it can cause problems such as mineral buildup on fixtures and poor soap and detergent performance. It can also interfere with the uptake of nutrients by plants, and it may cause the shells of certain species to break during molting (the infamous white ring of death).
The recommended water hardness for shrimp is between 4 and 6 dGH (degrees of general hardness), but some species require higher or lower water hardness. Research the specific water requirements for each species that you want to keep in your aquarium to ensure that your water is suitable.
Water hardness can be measured using a TDS meter, or more accurately by measuring the GH and KH levels in your tank. However, relying solely on the TDS level can be misleading since it will measure all ions in the water, including those that do not contribute to the water’s hardness, and it can change significantly over time.
You should always test your water’s parameters regularly, and try to have stable parameters, as opposed to chasing the perfect values. This is especially important when keeping Neocaridina shrimp, as they are more sensitive to changes in their water’s parameters than other species of freshwater fish. The best way to achieve stable water is to use remineralized RO/DI water, which is available from many pet shops.
4. Water Ammonia
Shrimp can be very sensitive to changes in water parameters. This is especially true if they are being re-acclimated from a breather bag, container or other holding method that prevents gas exchange and can suffocate the shrimp. Whenever possible, it is best to buy your shrimp from a local breeder that can provide the same water parameters as your tank. Buying locally or domestically will also reduce the amount of stress that the shrimp endure while being shipped from the breeding facility, wholesaler and retailer to your home.
A high level of ammonia in the aquarium water can cause the death of shrimp. It can also be fatal to fish and other aquatic organisms. Ammonia is produced in the fish tank by a process known as nitrification, which converts ammonium into nitrate. While nitrates are good for plants, they tend to lower the level of dissolved oxygen in water, making it hard for other animals to breathe.
A quick and simple way to help keep your shrimp’s ammonia levels in check is by performing regular water changes based on the size of your tank and bioload. When changing the water, it is best to use distilled or reverse-osmosis water. This is the cleanest water that you can get for your shrimp and it will be more consistent than tap water, which may contain chlorine or other chemicals that can kill your shrimp colony.
5. Water Nitrite
Nitrite is the product of oxidative degradation of ammonia, and it is a toxic substance to shrimp. In nitrate-rich water, shrimp will exhibit the classic signs of toxicity—lethargy and a dull pink coloration. Nitrite is also dangerous to humans and animals, including babies, the elderly, and pregnant women. If exposed to high concentrations, nitrite can cause stomach upset, breathing difficulties, and even death.
Ideally, shrimp tank water nitrate levels should be less than 80 ppm. It’s a good idea to test your water with a kit and monitor the levels, especially after a few weeks of cycling. If your nitrate levels are too high, it is recommended to add some crushed coral or other form of calcium to the aquarium to lower nitrate and phosphate.
Shrimp are arthropods, and they lack the efficient liver that fish have, which makes them more sensitive to changes in water parameters. If they are not accustomed to the new conditions, it can lead to jumpiness and/or death. For best results, only purchase shrimp that have been raised locally or in waters similar to your own.
It is also recommended to do regular and small (less than 20%) water changes a couple of times a week, or thrice a week. This keeps the water clean and prevents waste buildup. Also, keep in mind that it is important to add protein for the shrimp to eat, as well as calcium for molting.
6. Water Nitrate
If your water has a high concentration of nitrate it could cause the shrimp to become dull in color or even die. Nitrates are produced by the breakdown of organic material, which can come from a variety of sources. Some common causes include runoff or seepage from fertilized agricultural lands, municipal and industrial waste water, animal feedlots, private sewage disposal systems and urban drainage. Geologic formations and the direction of ground water flow also influence nitrate levels.
The water nitrate level in the aquarium should be kept low, and preferably less than 40 ppm. This will be easier to do if the tank is cycled. Nitrate levels can be monitored with a test kit that reads ammonia and nitrite. When the levels are 0.0 and 0.00 ppm respectively, the tank is ready for the addition of shrimp.
When you’re ready to add your shrimp, you should consider keeping them in a shrimp-only tank. While fish are ok to keep with shrimp, they can disturb them and make them feel stressed. Additionally, shrimp babies are very small and can easily be eaten by fish.
Shrimp thrive in tanks with plenty of natural rock, wood, leaves and aquatic plants. These items help re-create their natural environment and provide them with hiding spots. They also encourage beneficial bacteria and a thin layer of biofilm to grow on the substrate, which provides additional food for shrimp and their offspring. In addition, using a canister or hang-on-the-back filter with a sponge prefilter will increase the dissolved oxygen in the water and directly enhance shrimp breeding capability.
