Armano Shrimp

[Christi_22]

Hi Everyone

Just thought I would comment on how fantastic these little guys are. My first time to have Shrimp and I am smitten. They are busy busy busy, I find my attention constantly drawn to their antics and after only a few days they have made quite an impact on my little 5 Gallon Betta tank. (even giving the Zebra Snail's shell a clean lol ) One of the Shrimp appears to have shed his/her exoskeleton twice already. (Is it normal to grow so quickly).

I also would like to know if I have males/females. Does anyone know how to tell??

Cheers, Christi

 

[milkton]

Your shrimp might have been stuck in the shell for a while at the store, thats probably why they sheded so quickly.

Uhm, im not sure on how to distinguish between a male and a female amano but if you dont have brackish water, their babies cant survive IF they breed.

 

[Christi_22]

Yeah, I know. Just out of interest more than anything.

 

[saltynay]

Males are smaller approximately 2cm with females being 3-4cm (don't have ruler mind to measure mine) the females have there spots in a line along there body whilst the males have random spotting. At first I thought my male was just a youngster . They will lay eggs but carry them under there back legs (the ones that they swim with) and the shrimplets will hatch in freshwater. The fry will die in 2-3 days after hatching in freshwater as they need brackish conditions that are just right. The fry are notoriously difficult to raise so not really for beginners, the adults are very cool and should be given plenty of caving, they will live upto 4 years in the proper environment. You need to feed them with shrimp pellets and as a treat I give them:

chopped up earthworms
chopped up any creepy crawly that is fit for human consumption which includes common spiders
Cucumber
grapes
didn't really like lettuce.

 

[Christi_22]

Thanks Saltanay,

Much appreciated. I found that they really love tiny Catfish Pellets, (carrying them around, and not letting go). I will keep in mind the other treats you have mentioned. They may well prefer them to the little pellets. Tonight I fed my Betta some Mosquito Larvae, and one of the shrimp made a bee line for them lol

Its quite cool, as the Shrimp were a little in awe of the big red fish at first, but he ignores them, and they become bolder and bolder by the day.

Thanks again.

 

[GSD]

I have armanos, they are fascinating! I love watching them running around with bits of algae wafer chasing eachother about. If only they would stop ripping up my java moss.

Mine have also shed about 3 times in the past 3 weeks i have had them.

I tried feeding them cucumber and they refused to touch it!

 

[pippoodle]

butternut squash is also a good one for shrimps , i remove the skin and drop it in they love it