Amano Shrimps - What Do They Do?

[sussexgirl]

My mum has bought 2 amano shrimps because the LFS told her they would sort out her algae. So far, one has disappeared completely and the other spends his entire time sat onto of the rubber suction pad of the heater and literally doesn't seem to move. I had heard these were great little additions to a tank and feel bad that I've talked her into using some of her fish quota for these shrimp. Her water parameters are great (amonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10) and it's a densely planted 100 litre tank, sharing with 12 fish (platys, corys, dwarf rainbows and dwarf gouramis). Is this normal behaviour?

 

[PaulasPets]

The one that dissapeared might be hiding because it has grown too big for its exoskeleton. You will probably see it again in a day or so. The other shrimp is probably just getting used to the new place, give them a few days.

Paula

 

[Bloo]

Don't worry about the shrimp bioload. They count very little and not the standard inch per gallong guidline.
This pinned profile should be of help

 

[dwarfgourami]

the more you have the bolder they become (mine think nothing of taking the food out of the mouth of starving platies!)

I have found them useful in clearing hair algae

and once they start coming out a bit, they are great fun to watch (more so than the fish, if truth be told)

 

[BigIan]

the shrimp will hide untill they feel secure, then they will come out and run round the tank a little more they are great little alge eaters though

 

[Crossfc]

They suppose to eat algae. I'd have some but I never believe amano shrimp would survive in a tank with semi-aggressive chihilids. Lol. I can picture my angels just nibbling on them all day long.

 

[sussexgirl]

Don't worry about the shrimp bioload. They count very little and not the standard inch per gallong guidline.
This pinned profile should be of help

We've found the missing shrimp, he turned up last night swimming around amongst mum's tanks filter sponges! He seems very happy to be back with his mate but lord knows how he got there because surely he's too big to go through the vents of the filter pipe?!!!

Good news about the bioload, infact I added two to my tank yesterday aswell after what you all said about them. Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[millym]

hi
glad to hear about the shrimp, they do seem to be bolder once settled and in a bigger group.........ive seen one of ours snatch a catfish tablet right out from under a 4 inch big yoyo loaches whiskers!!!

 

[scubadoo]

The only thing I'd add is that 2 wont make an appreciable difference to any algae in your tank - in a 130 litre tank you could easily put 10-15 in if you wanted to.

 

[sussexgirl]

The only thing I'd add is that 2 wont make an appreciable difference to any algae in your tank - in a 130 litre tank you could easily put 10-15 in if you wanted to.

I'll definitely be adding more but I'm not sure how to regard them with view to stocking allowance? Any comments appreciated

 

[Bloo]

I'll definitely be adding more but I'm not sure how to regard them with view to stocking allowance? Any comments appreciated

Personally I don't count them - but then again I over filter and under stock. A crammed tank is never nice in my opinion. I had 10 in my 19 gallon (70 litre) tank. With normal stock of fish.

 

[sussexgirl]

I'll definitely be adding more but I'm not sure how to regard them with view to stocking allowance? Any comments appreciated

Personally I don't count them - but then again I over filter and under stock. A crammed tank is never nice in my opinion. I had 10 in my 19 gallon (70 litre) tank. With normal stock of fish.

well I would deffo say that I'm full quota with my fish, although I know others on here with the same tank as me have more inhabitants in their tank. I have 2 filters running in it and I maintain it very regularly so maybe I'll just add 5 or 6 more shrimp. Thanks Bloo