Aquarium shrimp are a real decoration of any home aquarium. Small, agile, incredibly elegant creatures that add life and harmony to the underwater world. They not only decorate the aquarium, but also perform an important function – clean the water from the remains of food and algae. You can watch them for hours, because they resemble a miniature underwater orchestra, where each shrimp moves in its own rhythm.
Types of aquarium shrimp
Among the variety of species, Red Cherry, Crystal Red, Blue Dream, Tiger and Amano are the most common. Each species has its own character and features of coloration: red cherries look bright even in a simple aquarium, while crystal reds are striking with an elegant pattern on the body. Blue or tiger shrimp add contrast, while Amano are true giants among their relatives, hardy and extremely useful.
Content and habitat conditions
Shrimp do not tolerate dirt, sudden changes in temperature and water hardness. They feel best at a temperature of 22-26 ° C, in clean, temperate water with a neutral pH. In the aquarium should be a safe shelter – live plants, snags, stones, moss. Filtration is needed, but with a gentle flow, because a strong current can traumatize them. Water should be without impurities of copper – this metal is deadly for shrimp. Water change once a week (10-20%) will help to maintain the stability of the microenvironment.
Care and feeding
These creatures are unpretentious in food, but respond gratefully to variety. The basis of the diet is special tablets or pellets for shrimp, which slowly dissolve. They can be supplemented with natural products – scalded spinach, cucumber, zucchini or salad leaves. Shrimp happily eat algae, cleaning the aquarium. The main rule is not to overfeed, as leftover food quickly spoils the water.
During the molt, shrimp shed the old shell – do not remove it, as from it they get calcium for a new coating. It is also important to provide peace – sudden movements or predator fish can frighten and shorten the life of the shrimp.
Peculiarities of keeping Amano shrimp
Amano shrimp – a real toilers of the aquarium. They are often called “sanitarians”, as they relentlessly clean the bottom and leaves of plants from algae. They are larger than other species (up to 5 cm) and live longer – up to 3-4 years. They need a spacious aquarium, stable temperature and constant presence of oxygen in the water. Amano females nurture eggs for up to 5 weeks, but breeding at home is difficult, since the larvae need brackish water. Despite this, they remain a favorite of aquarists due to their hardiness, calm nature and incredible usefulness.
Conclusion
Aquarium shrimp are part of a living ecosystem that helps keep things clean and balanced. They don’t need a lot of space or care, just stable conditions and care. In return, they will give you real peace of mind and aesthetic pleasure, turning an ordinary aquarium into a harmonious underwater world.
