How to Start a Freshwater Shrimp Colony in a Planted Aquarium

 How to Start a Freshwater Shrimp Colony in a Planted Aquarium

Why breed shrimp?
Freshwater shrimp play a similar role as orchids. They do not produce fruit or anything edible. However, the more properly they are tended to, the more they show off their natural beauty. A freshwater shrimp kept in optimal conditions looks like an intricately blown stained-glass piece of art. They are extremely small and delicate, with vibrant colors selectively bred over years of the hobby’s existence. 

    

When the term “shrimp-breeding” is first heard, it can sound to some too foreign or too difficult a hobby to pick up. It is not uncommon for most to be intimidated by the idea of potentially copious amounts of preparation and attention committed, only to be followed by a shrimp colony that won’t breed or dies off. Similar to the orchid or succulent keeping hobbies though, the changes implemented should be slow to take effect, and the aesthetic rewards of success always justify the means. 

1. Picking shrimp. With hundreds of options for breeds and color, every different type of shrimp is known to prefer certain conditions. Once the type of shrimp is decided on, it is a simple process to search up their most successful conditions. 

• The first decision to be made revolves around what breed of shrimp is to be kept. There are a few different major categories, but the main two are Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp. Each type entails different requirements and difficulty levels of care. Neocaridina are considered hardier and more prolific breeders, while Caridina are more sensitive and require more know-how, but carry more intricate colorations in their gene pools. 

• Next, a decision must be made about color and pattern. Even within the same breed, different colored shrimp may have slightly different optimal parameters. These precise figures have been derived over the years by slowly tweaking the factors. Many hobbyists claim their combinations of water parameters are superior, but newcomers should always spend time trying different variations before settling. Over time, true breeders cull their gene pools, removing less-desired colorations in order to maintain a more pure-colored colony. Starting with good initial stock can reduce the amount of culling required.

2. Involvement Commitment. Different levels of involvement and commitment can be applied to this hobby. Some prefer to be as hands-on as possible, constantly trimming plants and changing water. If less commitment is preferred, proper preparation can drastically reduce the amount of maintenance an aquarium would require. 

• A high maintenance tank requires both consistent water changes and constant trimming. High amounts of nutrients can be transferred from aquasoil and from additives. This creates a necessity for frequent water changes in order to prevent toxic levels of chemical build-up. High light levels can also increase maintenance commitments by causing the tank to become overgrown quickly. Plant trimming will be required to deal with light-competition. 

• A low maintenance tank can be achieved by a number of preparatory factors. A gravel buffer can be added on top of soil to reduce the amount of nutrients leaching into the water column. Light levels can also be adjusted to lower wattages in order to slow plant growth to reduce trimming needs. 

   

3. Cost Commitment. Similar to maintenance considerations, cost can also be adjusted according to preference.  Whatever the preference, it should be understood that spending more does not directly equate to having a better tank.

• With a high budget, fancy rimless designer tanks are available as are high quality lights or expensive driftwood ornaments. 

• A low-cost tank can be achieved by picking out budget hardware and livestock.
  
  

4. Tank choice. The desired setup location will dictate size and shape limitations.

• Triangular or rounded tanks can be used to widen viewing angle. Longer tanks can be more modular and stacked alongside each other comfortably. Every category of tank shape has a specific purpose in its design. 

• Although smaller tanks can look neater or less cluttered, it is generally understood that a larger volume tank will maintain stable water parameters compared to a smaller tank.

    

5. Aesthetic and Decorations. Decoration of the breeding tank coincides with ecosystem setup and maintenance. Customization of the landscape within the tank is commonly referred to as “Aquascaping”. Reddit, Google, Youtube, or Instagram are all great places to search for infinite variations of inspiration to begin preliminary placement plans. The two main categories of ornaments to consider adding are hardscape and plants. 

• Hardscape can be subcategorized between wood and rocks. Depending on your preference of style, either or a combination can be used. It is common for this stage of setup to revolve around mimicking a scene from an Amazonian or Taiwanese stream for both natural habitat and extreme aesthetic values. For example, this may include tree roots digging into a riverbank or an angled array of specifically colored boulders. 

• Plants come in literally all shapes, colors, and sizes. They vary in difficulty to keep alive, so beginners on a tight budget should be wary of expensive plants that are known to die easily. That said, anyone can eventually learn to keep even the most difficult of plants over time. To start on the artistic journey of plant-choice, one should consider the three main subcategories: foreground, midground, and background plants. Each carry different high, spread, and color profiles. Background plants grow taller, while foreground plants grow shorter. Carpeting plants are known to spread and cover surfaces.

    

6. Substrate Choice. Some substrates are darker, while others are lighter in color. They can take the form of gravel, sand, or soil. Each has their unique properties and fits different purposes. Sometimes, the choice is made solely based on how and what the substrate looks like rather than what it can do.

• Soil is the most common choice between substrates. Many are known for extremely high nutrient contents to stimulate maximum plant growth. Others are known to buffer the water parameters to a specific value. Whatever the goal is, there is very likely a soil on the market that will attempt to fit those needs. 

• Gravel and soil are basically the same, save for their particle size difference. Their effect on aquarium water is identical. They do not tend to raise or lower the pH, nor do they provide any nutrients to growing plants. When using these choices for substrates in aquariums, fertilizers must be added in one form or another in order to substitute for the missing nutrients.
  
  

Once the tank has been assembled, the plants should be allowed to settle and grow for a few weeks or even months. Over time, water conditions will normalize to shrimp-survivable conditions. At this point, shrimp can be bought at a local store or online. There is nothing else that needs to be done for shrimp to breed, as their reproductive tendencies are known to rival that of stray cats. Once your colony is producing consistently, you can give away baby shrimp and plant cuttings to other newcomers in the hobby to start their first tank. Have patience and soon you will be able to sit back and enjoy first-hand a magnificent and self-curated chapter of nature from the comfort of your home.