Breeding Shrimp In Community Tank

[mcgrimes]

Hi, i'm quite new to keeping tropical fish and have been reading these forums for a few weeks now, and while i might possibly know the answer, i'm just hoping someone could help me!
I have a fluval 180 tank currently, which is holding 4 peppered cories, 6 neon tetras, 2 red crystal and 2 black crystal shrimp.
Ive recently added a small piece of bog wood in which i'm in the process of anchoring some Java moss to.
I love my little shrimp, especially the red ones which seem quite juvenile, but am also hoping to have a tank with a bit of variety of fish.
I'm just curious as to whether or not the shrimp would be comfortable doing so or actually be able to breed in my setup? My java moss is very thin at the moment as to allow plenty of light for it to anchor and grow, but i've read that it might be a suitable medium when its larger for my shrimp to breed? (And quite possibly the other fish to!)
I've read that my neon tetras will pose a threat to my baby shrimp, and am unsure about my peppered cories.
Does anyone think it will be possible for me to see some baby shrimp? I plan on buying a few more soon!
Cheers
Chris

 

[malakye]

You might be lucky enough to get a couple to reach adulthood if they do breed but shrimp fry (Zoes I think they are called) are tiny so every fish with the exception on otto's poses a threat to them, I have cherry shrimp in my community tank and have never yet come across any new adults or shrimplets yet in my 2 ft shrimp only tank I have loads of berried females and shrimplets. I honestly think if you want to breed shrimp you will be better to get a shrimp only tank.

 

[pippoodle]

all my shrimp are in community tanks and are breeding well
i see lots of shrimplets running around accross the bottom in the evening darting from one hiding place to another lol

then when they are getting bigger they are sat out on the leaves of plants

to have it work in a community tank you need lots of plant cover and wood /moss this is the only way the shrimplets will survive to maturity

yes it is obvious you will lose some but i have lots of shrimplets

my CBS havent bred yet but i only have 3 of those lol and they are still quite tiny

 

[malakye]

Pippoodle don't expect to see many shrimplets now you have added the dwarf gourami's. They are good at eating smaller shrimps and fry. I love your tank by the way, its a lovely set up.

 

[pippoodle]

Pippoodle don't expect to see many shrimplets now you have added the dwarf gourami's. They are good at eating smaller shrimps and fry. I love your tank by the way, its a lovely set up.

there's such dense plants in the tanks , thats where the shrimps hide from the platys so i'm hoping they should be ok

 

[Shrimper]

As other people have said there is a chance of the shrimplets being eaten by any fish. UK shrimp have a guide on keeping shrimp in a community tank. My tip is give them plenty of moss and you will hopefully see some babies.

Another thing you need to be aware of is the both type of shrimp you have are the same species and any babies they have are likely to be black as this is the dominant colour. I would set up a small tank for the CRS and keep them by themselves. They will be more active if they are kept without fish.

 

[mcgrimes]

Thanks guys, great link shrimper, and nice tank pippoodle!
My only trouble at the moment is waiting for my java moss to grow big enough! Ive got it attached to some bog wood with a rubber band and i can guarantee a few shrimp will be on it at anytime!
Me and the mrs popped out today and added 6 swallow rasboras, and 4 sankura shrimp! (More shrimp!)
The rasboras dont seem to bother anything, and all my shrimp seem safe which is good!
Ive read that black is the dominant gene, although one of them looks slightly blue, but id be happy with any colour babies
Thanks again guys!

Edit* These sankura shrimp seem exceptionally similar to red cherry shrimp, anyone know of any differences?

 

[Shrimper]

Sakura is a japanese name for cherry shrimp that some sellers use for particularly red ones.

 

[mcgrimes]

Sakura is a japanese name for cherry shrimp that some sellers use for particularly red ones.

That clears everything up! I think they just call them something special so they can hike their prices up!
Cheers!

 

[malakye]

Yes they usually do give them different names to hike up prices, there was a shop near me selling Sakura shrimp at £6.99 each, the owner wasn't amused when I told one prospective purchaser that they were cherry shrimp and could be bought at a different shop for about 2 pound each.

 

[mcgrimes]

Yes they usually do give them different names to hike up prices, there was a shop near me selling Sakura shrimp at £6.99 each, the owner wasn't amused when I told one prospective purchaser that they were cherry shrimp and could be bought at a different shop for about 2 pound each.

Yeah, cherry shrimp at my LFS are much cheaper also, but they have sold out, so i picked sakuna shrimp, and now feel like a mug! They are worth it anyway, i love the little things.
Thanks again Guys!