Questions about shrimps

[gemo82]

Hi,

I am new to this hobby with a one month plus old tank. Am contemplating to add some sakura shrimps. Can anyone point out if these are difficult shrimps to have? I do not need them to breed, just to survive. What are the parameters I have to take note?

Oh I also have some Yamato shrimps in my tank that I added previously to control algae. Can different types of shrimps coexist?

[leechaorui]

Yup, the different shrimps can co-exist quite well. Have some moss in your tank for them to hide, esp when they molt.

You can mix the shrimps and both are quite hardy. Cheers.

[gemo82]

Thanks Bro. Cause I was advised by some friends that Yamato shrimps, being bigger, are best not to be kept with other smaller shrimps. Yet some say can. So am confused and hesitant.

What about water parameters? My tank has quite a lot of plants, but moss is negligible. Temp hovering around 28-29. What other things I got to take note of?

[beetlejuice403]

Thanks Bro. Cause I was advised by some friends that Yamato shrimps, being bigger, are best not to be kept with other smaller shrimps. Yet some say can. So am confused and hesitant.

What about water parameters? My tank has quite a lot of plants, but moss is negligible. Temp hovering around 28-29. What other things I got to take note of?

Hi gemo82,

had read too that some bros had bad experiences with Yamatoes with their other shrimps while others had no problems at all.... Guess it all depends on luck & also the environment the shrimps are in...

Guess the shrimps will leave each other alone if there's enough food. They will feast on the weaker ones (dead or sick ones) if chances presents though... If you have fears, why not just get a few pieces to see how they co-live? Be prepared to net the aggressor out if you happen to see any clashes taking place [so make sure you have a spare small tank & airstone avail)...

If your tank is heavily planted, it helps to shrimps to escape from danger also, just that having moss will be easier to maintain & grow... As for temperature, yours should be able to keep them alive, but do take note that the water temperature may fluctuate (especially lately when the weather is so &$*!(*$ hot these few days)... You have a fan to cool the water in your tank? Lower temperature may encourage breeding more rapidly for some shrimps (but since you said your MAIN priority is to keep them alive...]

Do also be careful if you intend or has fishes in the tank as the shrimps may be food to them if they are able to fit the fishes' mouths... Other things to take note will be do not dose anything (medication or additives) that have copper in them as these will kill off the shrimps...

Cheers!!

[gemo82]

Thanks for your advice. Hopefully my luck is good.

Think I will get a few to try and observe before buying more. But now my tank a bit crowded, got to clear a few fishes for my friend before I test out on Sakura shrimps. But I am not sure if I am able to do a proper head-count after they are in the tank. Right now, even the Yamatos are never full strength to fall in for roll call; mostly hiding somewhere I cannot see....So I guess it'll be even more difficult for the smaller sakuras...nonetheless got to try...

I have a number of fans to cool the tank, but

1) My tank is near the window with morning sun.

2) I have a canopy which covers the whole tank top. Fans are installed to bring air in and out of the canopy though.

3) My 4 T5HO tubes are very near the water surface, generating lots of heat when all 4 tubes are on for long period.

4) And yes, the weather is so &$*!(*$ hot these few days!!

Tank temperature almost hitting 30!! Seriously comtemplating getting a chiller, but guess got to wait till at least after Chinese New Year's ang bao.

Some other questions: My KH is currently unmeasurable (zero?) and pH is below 6 when I measure it in the day with CO2 on. Do I need to increase the KH to stabilise these parameters? So far fishes are ok, just wondering if shrimps are particular about these.