Amano Shrimp

[wigdean]

When calculating how to stock your tanks, should you follow the same rules for amano shrimp as you do for fish? I mean for example if you where to go by the general 1 inch per gallon rule, would you count shrimp in that? There seems to be mixed feelings on this.

Some people suggest that because the shrimp doesn't produce much waste you don't have to include them in your calculations.

I ask because my 2nd tank isn't far from being stocked at the level I want, but I'd like to add a couple more shrimp. I don't want to do it though if it's going to cause too many problems. And I don't want to get the shrimp in place of the fish I intend to eventually buy.

 

[mlawson]

Shrimp produce hardly any waste so will only increase the bioload of your tank slightly. You could easily keep far more shrimp than what is recommended for the amount of fish.

 

[rdd1952]

As mentioned, shrimp produce very little waste so you really don't need to figure them into your bioload equation. Actually, since they are scavengers and eat left over food, they may actually remove more waste than the produce.

 

[mlawson]

As mentioned, shrimp produce very little waste so you really don't need to figure them into your bioload equation. Actually, since they are scavengers and eat left over food, they may actually remove more waste than the produce.

They will remove about the same amount of waste they produce, although rather than waste it is algae. However they will excrete frequently which will mean regular water changes. Do not assume that they will clean up all algae and you wont have to clean the tank.

 

[rdd1952]

They will eat left over food too, not just algae. I have had 5 amano shrimp in may 29 gallon tank for over a year and the tank is algae free. They eat the same food I feed the fish along with an occasional algae wafer.

 

[wigdean]

Thanks for the advice.

Never thought I'd have shrimp in my tank, let alone considering buying more, but they add another dimension to the tank imo. Around feeding time the shrimp will make it's way upto the top of the tank and sit on the heater. Once the food is in it'll jump from the heater and cling to the food. Then it carries it around for ages.