Ghost Shrimp Aquarium Care, Feeding and Native Habitat Information
Ghost Shrimp are a species of tropical freshwater shrimp that have become popular in the aquarium hobby due to their interesting appearance and beneficial aquarium substrate cleaning. Ghost Shrimp are also commonly referred to as Glass Shrimp, with both names eminating from their transparent appearance. They generally spend their time moving about the aquarium substrate looking for food particles that are lodged in the substrate or on plant leaves or roots. Typically Ghost Shrimp are added to community aquariums, where they can be kept with a large variety of peaceful community fish species that are small enough not to see the Ghost Shrimp as food. Hobbyists who keep larger Cichlid species also keep Ghost Shrimp as a food source for larger more aggressive fish species.
Ghost shrimp are a great addition to any community aquarium with smaller fish species that the shrimp will be safe from being eaten by, they are great helpers in keeping your aquarium clean and your water quality high. Depending on the amount of bottom feeders Ghost Shrimp can very safely be kept in numbers of approximately 1 shrimp per 3 gallons, with higher concentrations possible depending on food sources and competition. It is best to keep Ghost Shrimp in 10 gallon or larger aquariums with plenty of hiding places including plants and rock caves. Ghost Shrimp moult as they grow and during this period their shells are soft and they become vulernable to fish and other aquarium inhabitants, thus it is important to provide them plenty of shelter consisting of hiding places too small for fish to get into. This is especially important after moulting and before their exoskeletons have had a chance to harden. Ghost Shrimp prefer temperate waters and should be kept in water temperatures ranging from 68 to 82 degrees.
Ghost Shrimp can easily be bred in a smaller breeder tank setup or species only aquarium. While breeding the shrimp is not difficult, feeding the fry can be as they require very small food particles. It is best to raise them in an established tank with some algae growth and plenty of small foodstuffs; such as, infusoria or baby brine shrimps.
Ghost Shrimp are pure scavengers and will readily accept a vast variety of meaty foods and decaying plant matter. They will scavenge the substrate and plants for any food particles that make it past the aquariums other inhabitants. It is also not uncommon for them to even swim up to the surface and take flake food directly, especially after they become established with their surroundings.