Amano Shrimp

[PrairieSunflower]

I'm thinking I might like to have a slightly larger shrimp than cherries (the only kind I've had before).
 
I have a few concerns... is it amano shrimp or ghost shrimp that occasionally eat fish?  I know someone whose shrimp ate her male guppies... only she didn't know the exact type other than they were somewhat clear.
 
Also, in my reading I've read that they are especially sensitive to transport... would that make it a bad idea to buy them online?  Or are they really the same as cherry shrimp in that respect and not any more sensitive?

 

[Baccus]

I would only buy shrimp online from a place you trust and are sure that they have a correct/ positive id of the shrimp they are selling. Shrimp aren't truly identified at a species level by colour or markings alone, instead they are identified by their rostrum shape, antenna shape/ size and other body characteristics. Some private sellers and even pet shops will sell either accidentially or deliberately less desirable shrimp as more tank/ community friendly species of shrimp.
 
Amano shrimp should not eat live fish just like a true ghost shrimp shouldn't, but any shrimp will eat dead or dying fish. While macrobachium species of shrimp will at times go out of their way to actively hunt fish.
 
Sorry I can not really testify to how hardy amano shrimp are since they are not allowed into Australia. However because of their mainly algea diet, then like shrimp they should mainly need a mature and stable aquarium.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Thanks, that is all good to know!

 

[grumblebee]

My amano shrimp ignore my fish even when the fish swim right up close. The shrimp are like whatever and keep munching away whatever food the fish have left on the gravel. They are amazing at cleaning algae and pretty interesting to watch since they are always busy.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Is there a good website that would point out the difference between good shrimp and bad ones?  Then I can tell if my fish store has the right kind or not.

 

[Baccus]

Off hand I can't think of any all over good sites for identifying shrimp, but you could create your own bookmarks from various searches on each species/ type of shrimp. Then compile your own reference pages using the correct information gleaned from as many sources as possible.
I know the UK magazine Practical Fish Keeping has had a few articles relating to shrimp, so their online pages might be a good starting point.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Thanks, I'll have a look.