Species Profile & Temperament

Cherry or Amano?

• Cherry Shrimp graze all day on the film that grows in a mature tank. In a stable tank they breed on their own, so a few shrimp can become a colony.
• Amano Shrimp are larger than cherries and are excellent at eating hair algae. Their babies need brackish water to survive, so Amano shrimp do not breed in a home freshwater tank. If you are hoping for a colony, choose cherry shrimp.
• Keeping both? A tank kept between 65°F and 78°F suits both species.

Water & Tank Setup

• Temperature: Cherry shrimp do best at 65–78°F, Amano shrimp at 65–80°F.
• Calcium: Both need hard water with calcium. They use it to build each new shell. Cherry shrimp do best at pH 6.5–8.0.
• A mature tank: A tank that has been running a while grows a thin film on wood, stones and moss, and that film is a big part of a shrimp's diet. A brand-new, spotless tank is a hard place to start shrimp.
• Calcium blocks need moving water. Use one in a tank with a filter or air stone, not a bowl.
• Match the temperature of new water. When you top off or change water, the new water must match the tank's temperature. Check it with a thermometer before it goes in. Cold water stresses fish and can kill shrimp.

Bringing Shrimp Home (Acclimation)

Shrimp need time to adjust to new water. Moved too fast, they can go into shock, and the damage may not show until about a week later.

Before you buy: tell us how long your tank has been set up, and bring a water sample so we can test it with you.

1. Match the temperature first. Float the closed bag in your tank for about 15 to 20 minutes. Never pour the shrimp straight in.
2. Then go slow. Shrimp need more time than fish: about an hour of slow drip. Let a small, steady trickle of tank water into the bag or a container holding the shrimp, never a dump.
3. Leave the bag water out. Net the shrimp into the tank and pour the bag water down the drain, not into the tank.

Feeding

• Feed small. Offer a small sinking shrimp food, only what they finish in two or three minutes. Once a day is plenty for most tanks.
• A mature tank needs very little added. Shrimp graze all day on the film in a tank that has been running a while. If food is still sitting there after a few minutes, feed less often.
• Take out leftovers. Net out whatever is left. In a small tank, a little uneaten food goes bad fast.
• Amano shrimp in a very clean tank may run short of algae. Give them a sinking shrimp pellet.
• Extras: A blanched vegetable now and then is fine. Flakes are a treat, not a staple, because they do not carry the calcium shrimp need for new shells.
• Calcium: Add a calcium block or a calcium-rich food.

RULE: Overfeeding is the most common way a shrimp tank crashes. When in doubt, feed less.

For food types and how much to feed, see our guide What to Feed Freshwater Shrimp, Snails & Crabs.

Molting: What's Normal

• Shrimp grow by shedding their shell. A pale, empty shell in the tank is a normal molt, not a dead shrimp.
• A shrimp that has died turns an opaque pink.
• Leave the empty shell alone unless it starts to break down.

Tank Mates

Before adding shrimp, think about the fish already in your tank.

• Small fish will eat baby shrimp.
• Bigger fish will eat adult shrimp.
• Amano shrimp are large enough that most community fish will not eat them.

Tell us what fish you keep and we will help you decide.

Copper & Medicines (CRITICAL)

NO COPPER MEDICINES, EVER: Many ich and parasite medicines contain copper, and copper can kill shrimp, snails and dwarf frogs. Never add these to a tank with shrimp.

• The tiny trace of copper in foods made for shrimp is added on purpose. Copper in fish medicines and some water treatments is a different thing.
• Water first. Bad water is usually the cause of a sick tank, and a tank with a water-quality problem will not get better with antibiotics. Bring us a water sample before you treat anything.
• Check with us before you add any medicine to a shrimp tank.

Health Red Flags

• Failed molts: A shrimp stuck half-out of its old shell. This usually points to a mineral problem, so check your calcium.
• A white ring at the neck behind the head.
• A sudden die-off of several shrimp: Copper and a sudden temperature swing are the first things to rule out.

If you see any of these, bring a water sample and your questions to us.

Common Questions (FAQ)

Is that a dead shrimp or a shed shell?

A pale, empty shell is a normal molt and means your shrimp is growing. A shrimp that has died turns an opaque pink.

How often should I feed my shrimp?

Once a day is plenty for most tanks, only what they finish in two or three minutes. A mature tank needs very little added, so if food is left over, feed less often. Always net out leftovers.

Will my Amano shrimp have babies?

Not in a home freshwater tank. Their babies need brackish water to survive. Cherry shrimp breed readily in a stable tank.

Can I keep shrimp with my fish?

It depends on the fish. Small fish eat baby shrimp and bigger fish eat adults. Amano shrimp are large enough that most community fish leave them alone. Tell us what is in your tank and we will help you choose.

Is copper bad for shrimp?

Not in a food made for shrimp. Shrimp need a tiny trace of copper to molt, and the makers add it on purpose. Copper in fish medicines and some water treatments can kill shrimp, so check with us before adding any medicine.

Where can I get help with freshwater shrimp in Oregon?

Critter Cabana in Newberg (503-537-2887) and Gresham Pet Supply (503-665-7606) are our two stores with live aquatics. Call or stop in with your questions, and ask us what we have in today.