Feeding Amano Shrimps

[hoyfoys]

Hi,

I have a tank with Odessa barbs, glass catfish, gouramis and blue rams. I also have 12 Amano Shrimps. How should I best feed the Shrimps as I don't think I have much algae left! I'm trying not to overfeed and my fish seem quite greedy and eat every last drop of food so I'm not sure much gets to the bottom. I've tried dropping in Algae wafers but the Odessa Barbs go for them. The only time I've seen the shrimps feed is when I dropped in a wafer when it was dark and they were out, I had to distract the other fish with flake food, but I can't always feed them after dark.

What would you recommend?

Thanks

 

[Caprichoso]

Shrimp can survive without food in an established tank for a very long time. Don't worry about feeding them. Trust me, they will find food. Amano's are very assertive shrimp and if they're hungry they will grab food away. They are also getting food when they other fish are feeding because tiny particles of food fall off that the fish don't notice and sink to the bottom where the shrimp will get them. It's been my experience that when you worry about feeding shrimp in addition to your other fish, you will end up over feeding your tank and running into issues.

 

[fluttermoth]

We feed my son's shrimps a high protein granulated food. Its sinks very quickly; the fish would like it too, but you can always put some in for them at one end of the tank and a pinch in for the shrimps near where they hang out; they don't need much anyway; only a few grains every day or two..

Have you got plenty of live plants, that'll help.

Shrimp can survive without food in an established tank for a very long time. Don't worry about feeding them. Trust me, they will find food. Amano's are very assertive shrimp and if they're hungry they will grab food away. They are also getting food when they other fish are feeding because tiny particles of food fall off that the fish don't notice and sink to the bottom where the shrimp will get them. It's been my experience that when you worry about feeding shrimp in addition to your other fish, you will end up over feeding your tank and running into issues.

Ah, good point; ours are in a tank with only a few endler fry!

 

[dalethewhale]

I use algae wafers made specifically for shrimp... dont know how much they are as my brother only gave me a few from a tube he has. But my shrimp love them and i only use 1-2 every week so the small amount i have is lasting me a long time.

But i doubt you need to worry about it, as said above they'll find food, mine often jump and catch falling food before my fish (only the big ones though)

 

[hoyfoys]

Great, thanks guys I have a fair few live plants, see photo. I'll try your suggestions but not worry too much. I think I do worry too much generally but I just want my tank to work well.

Cheers

 

[dalethewhale]

Great, thanks guys I have a fair few live plants, see photo. I'll try your suggestions but not worry too much. I think I do worry too much generally but I just want my tank to work well.

Cheers

Yeah i worry too much too! but your shrimp'll be fine and your rank is gorgeous! what size is it?

 

[hoyfoys]

Yeah i worry too much too! but your shrimp'll be fine and your rank is gorgeous! what size is it?
[/quote]

Thanks, I just bought a few bits and stuck them in as best I could. I just need to keep everything alive now

It's 110L 79x34x44. I'm using a DIY Co2 setup, plant fertiliser once a week and put on an oxygen pump at night. This forum has been fab though! I've put the tank in the fireplace

 

[dalethewhale]

Thanks, I just bought a few bits and stuck them in as best I could. I just need to keep everything alive now

It's 110L 79x34x44. I'm using a DIY Co2 setup, plant fertiliser once a week and put on an oxygen pump at night. This forum has been fab though! I've put the tank in the fireplace

sweet, how'd you do the diy C02 setup?

 

[hoyfoys]

When I bought the tank I got a JBL Co2 kit so just used the bottle and tube from that. I replaced the diffuser with an eBay one and bought a bubble counter with valve. I might swap the bottle for a 2l fizzy pop one as the lid fits.

I then add 250ml of sugar to the 1 litre bottle, 5 mini spoons (from the kit) of yeast and fill with warm water. Seems to work ok. I then have a bubble wall that is turned on with a timer when my lights go off. Hopefully this stops the Co2 from remaining in the water at night.