Buzz
Ghost shrimp, also known as glass shrimp, are small, see-through crustaceans commonly purchased as pets for aquariums or as feed for fish. Despite various species being labeled with the same name, they can all be nurtured using similar methods. If the shrimp are housed in a secure environment with no predators, they can reproduce quickly.
Steps to Follow
Creating an Optimal Breeding Habitat
Invest in a spacious fish tank. Aim for a tank that can accommodate approximately 1 gallon (4 L) of water per shrimp. For optimal comfort, ghost shrimp thrive in tanks of at least 10 gallons (40 L) in size.
- If confined to a tank smaller than 10 gallons (40 L), allocate at least 1.5 gallons (6 L) per shrimp to compensate for the limited space.
Acquire a separate tank for breeding purposes. One of the key challenges in breeding ghost shrimp is ensuring the survival of the young. Allowing the eggs to hatch in the same tank as the adult shrimp may result in the adults consuming the young. While the second tank doesn't need to be as spacious as the primary one, a larger tank increases the likelihood of young shrimp survival.
Select a standard filter for the main tank, and opt for a sponge filter for the breeding tank. Filters are essential for maintaining cleanliness in aquarium water. While most filters draw water in for purification, this mechanism can be detrimental to tiny ghost shrimp offspring. Utilize a sponge filter instead to mitigate this risk.
- If your tank exceeds 10 gallons (37.9 L) and houses both fish and shrimp, employ a hang-on or canister filter for more efficient filtration. Reserve the use of a sponge filter exclusively for the breeding tank.
- If purchasing a sponge filter isn't feasible, consider covering your filter's water intake with a sponge or a piece of nylon stocking. Alternatively, if the filter intake isn't powerful enough to trap adult shrimp, disconnect the filter before the young hatch and replace 10% of the tank's water volume daily until the young reach maturity and the filter can be reinstated.
Set up an air pump in each tank. Like many aquarium inhabitants, ghost shrimp require oxygenated water to breathe. Without an air pump, the water becomes depleted of oxygen, leading to suffocation of the shrimp.
Layer the bottom of each tank with sand or gravel. Opting for sand or light-colored gravel maintains the transparency of the shrimp, whereas dark gravel may cause them to develop small specks, making them more conspicuous. Choose any color and type that appeals to you.
- For comprehensive instructions on freshwater aquarium setup, refer to this article.
Fill the tanks with suitable water. Tap water in many areas contains chlorine, necessitating treatment with a dechlorinator or chloramine remover to render it safe for aquatic organisms. Alternatively, let the water sit for 24 hours before introducing the shrimp to allow some chlorine to dissipate.
Maintain the water temperature between 65-82º F (18-28º C). Ghost shrimp thrive within this temperature range, although many prefer to keep it closer to the middle. Use a thermometer to monitor the water temperature, and consider using an aquarium heater if the shrimp tank is located in a cold environment.
Incorporate live vegetation and shelters. Ghost shrimp consume organic matter that falls from plants, but if preferred, they can be fed solely with commercially available food. Opt for aquarium plants with delicate, slender leaves, such as hornwort, cabomba, and milfoil. In tanks housing other fish, invert small flower pots or similar items to provide hiding spots exclusively accessible to the shrimp.
- Allow approximately a month for the plants to establish and stabilize chemical levels in the tank for optimal results. Abrupt fluctuations in nitrogen levels or other chemicals may jeopardize the well-being of your ghost shrimp.
- Refer to this article for guidance on planting aquarium greenery.
- Prioritize the addition of plants to the breeding tank, as plant detritus serves as one of the few suitable foods for young shrimp. Many enthusiasts utilize Java moss in their shrimp breeding setups, as it can trap food debris, facilitating feeding for the juvenile shrimp.
Proper Care for Adult Shrimp
Select high-quality pet shrimp, or feeder shrimp if breeding for animal consumption. Feeder shrimp are bred for prolific reproduction but tend to be more delicate and shorter-lived. Well-maintained ghost shrimp typically enjoy a lifespan of a couple of years and are easier to nurture and breed.
- Ensure the seller can identify the type of ghost shrimp being sold. Alternatively, assess their living conditions: cramped quarters with minimal vegetation likely indicate feeder shrimp.
Gradually acclimate the shrimp to the new water conditions. Float the bag containing the shrimp in the tank water. Every 20 minutes, discard 1/4 of the water from the bag and replace it with tank water. After repeating this process three or four times, release the shrimp into the tank. This gradual transition allows them to adjust to temperature and chemical changes gradually.
Provide shrimp with small portions of fish food. Shrimp are diligent scavengers; however, to promote breeding, supplement their diet with a tiny daily serving of fish food. Offering a crushed pellet per day can sustain six adult shrimp.
- If other fish inhabit the tank, opt for sinking pellets to prevent competition between shrimp and larger animals for floating food.
Perform water changes weekly or biweekly. Even if the water appears clear, unseen chemicals may accumulate, hindering shrimp thriving. Changing 20-30% of the water weekly yields optimal results. Ensure the old and new water temperatures match to prevent stress on aquarium inhabitants.
- Alternately, changing 40-50% of the water biweekly may suffice, particularly for lightly stocked tanks.
Exercise caution when introducing other fish. Most medium to large fish will consume or intimidate ghost shrimp, impeding breeding efforts. If seeking a diverse tank, limit additions to snails and small fish.
- If opting against a separate breeding tank, refrain from adding any fish to the primary tank. Adult shrimp already predate many young; additional predators decrease survival rates of juveniles.
Hatching and Nurturing Young Shrimp
Ensure a mix of male and female shrimp. Adult female ghost shrimp typically outsize males significantly. This size disparity facilitates easy differentiation once shrimp reach maturity.
- Equal gender ratios aren't necessary. One male per every two females suffices.
Spot females carrying eggs. With proper care, female ghost shrimp should produce eggs every few weeks. These eggs appear as clusters of 20–30 small green-grey eggs attached to the females' legs, known as 'swimmerets.' To observe eggs, view the tank from the side and enlist someone with keen eyesight if necessary, especially if eggs hatch before being noticed.
Transfer egg-carrying females to the breeding tank after a few days. Allow males to fertilize the eggs before relocating females. Use a net to swiftly move females to the prepared breeding tank devoid of other shrimp or fish. If feasible, transfer directly to minimize stress, as prolonged transfer may cause females to drop eggs.
Wait 21–24 days for the eggs to hatch. Monitor the female to track egg development. Towards the end, you may observe tiny black dots within each egg, representing the eyes of baby shrimp. Upon hatching, the female will swim upward and dislodge the young from her legs gradually.
Return the female to the main tank. Once she finishes releasing the hatched young, reintroduce the female to the original tank. The presence of the parent is no longer necessary for the young shrimp, and in fact, she may pose a threat to her offspring.
Provide small quantities of specialized food. During the next week or two, the shrimp will be in the larvae stage and possess extremely tiny mouthparts. Ensure the breeding tank contains ample plants and algae for 'infusoria' debris. Additionally, supplement their diet with specialized foods suitable for young ghost shrimp, such as store-bought rotifers, baby brine shrimp, microworms, or powdered spirulina algae.
Offer the same diet as adult shrimp once they've developed legs. Once the surviving larvae transition into the juvenile phase and resemble miniature adults, they can consume regular shrimp food. However, consider crushing pellets and other large food items to facilitate feeding.
Return the shrimp to the main tank upon reaching full maturity. After 1 to 2 weeks, the shrimp will possess all their legs and resemble miniature adults. They will reach full maturity within 5 weeks and can then be relocated to the original tank. If there are younger eggs or larvae in the breeding tank, move the larger shrimp out after 3 to 4 weeks.
Troubleshooting
Avoid transferring females if it jeopardizes egg viability. Transferring females to the breeding tank may induce stress, impacting the growth of both adults and eggs. If females discard the eggs or perish post-transfer, adjust the main tank environment to accommodate the young. Remove fish, cover or turn off the filter to prevent harm to the young shrimp, and acknowledge that some may be consumed by adults.
Monitor if the young shrimp refuse to eat. Newly hatched larvae may exhibit minimal interest in food. If they continue to ignore food the following day, promptly switch to an alternative food option, as they can quickly succumb to starvation.
If your shrimp perish shortly after introducing them to the tank, consider using different water or acclimating the shrimp more gradually. Opt for tap water treated with a dechlorinator or bottled water if necessary. Avoid using rainwater or local river water unless it matches the natural habitat of ghost shrimp. Never pour the bag of water directly into the tank; refer to the section on Caring for Adult Shrimp for proper introduction methods. Additionally, consider investing in an aquarium test kit to assess water characteristics.
Useful Tips
- Purchase shrimp from a pet store rather than harvesting them from their natural environment.
- Maintain pH levels between 6.3 and 7.5 and dH (water hardness) between 3 and 10.
- Monitor ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels in your tank and aim to keep them as close to zero as possible for optimal breeding conditions.
The suggestions provided here are drawn from the practical experiences of Mytour readers like you. If you have valuable tips to share, please submit them below.
- Exercise caution with copper content in shrimp food, as even small amounts can be harmful to invertebrates like shrimp, crayfish, and snails. Read the ingredient list carefully to avoid inadvertently poisoning your shrimp.
- Maintain consistent pH levels, as ghost shrimp are sensitive creatures and may succumb to large fluctuations in pH.
- Consider purchasing ghost shrimp with existing eggs for a convenient and cost-effective start.
Important Warnings
- Ensure the shrimp are not exposed to cold water, as it can lead to their freezing.
Necessary Supplies
- 2 aquarium tanks or a breeder net
- Sponge filter or covered intake filter, or simply position a breeder net on the opposite side of the tank
- Java moss and other aquatic plants
- Small food particles for feeding
