Shrimps and tank Companions

[shadez9]

Guys, besides ottos and snails, what other fish can I keep with shrimps? Saw many tiny fish in Seaview. Not sure if can keep them together with shrimps.

[Urban Aquaria]

Most of those small fishes (around 2-3cm length ones, like boraras or tetras) can be kept with shrimps... although they would usually ignore adult shrimps, the majority will still snack on newborn shrimplets if they have the opportunity.

Larger tank size, plant density and hiding places are factors that help in reducing the chances of shrimplets getting eaten (before they grow large enough to be safe from fishes).

If you don't mind some attrition rate in the shrimp population growth, then no issues with keep those small fishes and shrimps in the same tank... though its always best to try limiting the ratio of fishes vs shrimps. Not exactly a good idea to keep more predators than prey together.

[shadez9]

Thanks UA. Your blog and tank setups are an inspiration. So much to learn from you

[Trichopsis]

I've had some success keeping cherry shrimps and yamatos with small guppies (2-4 cm long) I caught from the drain. Your experience might differ though, but I think dense vegetation and well-fed fishes help reduce the risk of attacks on shrimps, although like what Urban Aquaria said, they won't resist pecking at any shrimplets.

[shadez9]

I am thinking of keeping some nerite bumbblebee snails. Are they great escape artist? Don't want them to crawl out be a source of entertainment for my dog! Also will they uproot my MC?

[Urban Aquaria]

I am thinking of keeping some nerite bumbblebee snails. Are they great escape artist? Don't want them to crawl out be a source of entertainment for my dog! Also will they uproot my MC?

Horned/bumblebee nerite snails do crawl above the water surface occasionally to explore, but they usually know how to crawl back into the water... though i have encountered once where one of my snails was found on the floor next to the tank (it probably kept crawling in the wrong direction outside the tank, lost grip and fell down).

It was still alive and moving about, so i just put it back into the tank. I guess as long as they don't dry out completely, they could continue crawling around.

If you are concerned that you may accidently step on an exploring snail or if your dog might eat them, then it may be a good idea to clip off their horns (i usually do that for my snails, just use a nail clipper to trim their horns).

As for carpet plants, horned nerite snails are small and lightweight so they usually wouldn't uproot your MC, they are very gentle when grazing for algae on plant leaves and stems.

[shadez9]

Thanks UA. Just saw them in a LFS. So small and cute. Do they need any special care and attention?

[Urban Aquaria]

Thanks UA. Just saw them in a LFS. So small and cute. Do they need any special care and attention?

They are relatively easy to keep and can adapt quite well to different water parameters... though its usually better to add them to established tanks that already have existing soft algae film on the tank glass and plants, as that would be their main diet.

If your tank water maintains a low pH (especially if it has Co2 injection), their shells may tend to erode and holes might start appearing, therefore it'll be a good idea to dose mineral supplements to help them build and maintain their shells (ie. can use those mineral rocks or powder/liquid additives designed for shrimps).

[shadez9]

Thanks UA. Are they Excel and Flourish safe?

[Trichopsis]

I've wondered whether nerites can get their calcium from the empty shells of other snails in the aquarium. I've got an established population of ramshorns, Malayan trumpet snails, and other species, and there are quite a few large empty shells scattered about. I haven't seen the nerites crawling on these though.

[Urban Aquaria]

Thanks UA. Are they Excel and Flourish safe?

If you follow the recommended excel and flourish dosages, the snails should be fine... same as with shrimps.

Just have to keep in mind that any chemicals or medications that adversely affect shrimps would also affect snails too.

[Urban Aquaria]

I've wondered whether nerites can get their calcium from the empty shells of other snails in the aquarium. I've got an established population of ramshorns, Malayan trumpet snails, and other species, and there are quite a few large empty shells scattered about. I haven't seen the nerites crawling on these though.

I guess it probably helps... empty snail shells naturally dissolve over time and release minerals back into the water, so it'll probably be re-absorbed by the other snails through the water column.

[shadez9]

Will snails or shrimps consume yellow/dropped leaves from the the MC plant?

[Urban Aquaria]

Will snails or shrimps consume yellow/dropped leaves from the the MC plant?

Yes, shrimps and snails (especially those omnivore types like trumpet/ramshorn/pond etc) will usually munch on dead or dying plant leaves as part of their diet.

[shadez9]

Thanks UA. Just put in 2 ottos in my new tank yesterday. They seem fine to me. Don't think the tank have enough algae to feed them properly. Saw your blog that you put in Zucchini for your ottos. Have you tried cucumbers? Should I boil or microwave them before putting into the tank?

[Urban Aquaria]

Thanks UA. Just put in 2 ottos in my new tank yesterday. They seem fine to me. Don't think the tank have enough algae to feed them properly. Saw your blog that you put in Zucchini for your ottos. Have you tried cucumbers? Should I boil or microwave them before putting into the tank?

I use zuchinni because my family stocks them for cooking, "supposedly" they are more nutritious... but you can also use cucumber too.

Just wash and slice them into thin pieces, then soak in boiling water for 1-2 minutes (can put them in a bowl of water and microwave too), that helps to soften the slices and make it easier for the otos to eat... initially they will take abit of time to discover it, so it'll be good to leave the slice in the tank for up to 48 hours.

The rest of the slices you can put into a zip lock bag and keep in freezer to use over the next few weeks.

[shadez9]

Thanks! Hopefully they turn green!

[shadez9]

Hey UA, how did you manage to make the zucchini sink? My keeps floating

[Urban Aquaria]

Hey UA, how did you manage to make the zucchini sink? My keeps floating

If the vegetable slice floats, then its probably still fresh and hasn't absorbed enough water yet... in this case, just wedge it between some hardscape or skewer it into a wood branch. You can also tie or clip it to a small rock and let it sink down to the bottom. I've even seen some people just use a metal fork to poke though it and then put the whole thing into the tank.

Once the slice has been in the tank for a while it will naturally sink on its own anyways. If you use those slices that were taken out from the freezer, they will usually sink very easily too.

[shadez9]

Thanks! My 2 ottos doesn't seem interested..yet...