Got cherry shrimps for the first time. Need some advice.

[Dean]

you can put oto too. or some ramhorn snail

Thanks for your suggestion but I really want to focus on shrimps only due to small tank. I'm planning to breed them.

I think the moss that I bought has already some small snails with it. So far I've removed more than 6 snails and a planaria. There could be more of them I'm afraid. I seriously think the base of the moss that causes the water to be cloudy. Shouldn't have bought that whole moss which cost $15.

[hmpkbetta]

you should wash the plant first buying from fish shop sometime will have planaria or snail.

[Dean]

Yep I do wash them before putting it in the tank but the problem is, the water become cloudy after few days even with filter on. Anyway, I have already re-scape the tank and attached only a few moss with a rock. And by the way, do they eat frozen bloodworm? Currently I'm feeding fish food but I never see them eat. May I know what other food that is suitable for cherry shrimps?

[Fuzzy]

I'd recommend shrimp food / crab food instead of fish food over prolonged periods of time. GEX, JBL Novo Shrimp, Mosura, Shirakawa I've used all of them, and most LFS will have at least one of the brands.

[Dean]

1 female CS died when I woke up early morning. 2 males are doing well. I usually turn off the filter during sleeping time due to the noise of the filter. Could that be the reason? Is it due to lack of oxygen in the tank? I do have some plants to provide oxygen though. Now I have to buy some shrimps again to start my breeding plan.

[Misery]

if you are trying to breed , i strongly suggest that you get a 2ft tank , water parameters are more stable , at night , plants take in oxygen and gives out carbon dioxide if i'm not wrong ? :l

[eugene_syh]

1 female CS died when I woke up early morning. 2 males are doing well. I usually turn off the filter during sleeping time due to the noise of the filter. Could that be the reason? Is it due to lack of oxygen in the tank? I do have some plants to provide oxygen though. Now I have to buy some shrimps again to start my breeding plan.

I'm very sure plants take in oxygen at night and only produce oxygen only when there is light. they might be competing with your shrimps at night.
and in a small tank it's hard to breed, but not impossible i guess..

[Luc Tango]

correct me if i am wrong. beneficial bacteria is supposed to cultivate on the filter media you have. they help to break down ammonia and nitrites. if you off the filter without water running through, the bacteria will die. thus, nothing to break down your ammonia and nitrites, that's where your cloudy water comes from i think?

so, if you insist of turning your filter off, time to move it out of the room.

Edit: alternatively, you might want to have some plants that absorb the excess nutrients, like hornworts or frogbits.

[Dean]

How can I forget plants take in oxygen during night. lol

Thanks for the help everyone.

[Dean]

Here's an update. I've made a mini re-scape to the tank. The noise of the filter is not a problem anymore and it'll continue to cycle the tank 24/7. As of now I'm not thinking of breeding them but if they do breed like rabbit in this small tank, I'll have another similar tank as a backup.

The tank has been cycling for more than 2 weeks without any inhabitant and I'll introduce a new batch of cherry shrimps (around 5) by next week. Someone from other forum who is keeping cherry shrimps suggested max 30 cherry shrimps in small tank like 1g. So I think 5 is suitable to start with.

[retriZach]

pictures abit too small to see :P

[Dean]

I've uploaded a bigger pictures with shrimps.

[whale66]

I feed my cherries with only hikari sinking pellets in a 2ft tank, they have multiplied twice I think so far. all the best with your breeding program.

[Dean]

Thanks whales66. If they do breed and overpopulated in the tank, I'll upgrade the tank to 1.5ft that I've in store room. Anyway, my cherries are doing well with CRS Haven shrimp pellets.