Holy Shrimp!

[tetraman]

I recently got a couple of snails out of my neighbors goldfish pond. They were fun to have, but they created an amazing amount of waste for 3 snails and they took some of my algae eaters algae wafers. Before I buy some shrimp, I would like to know: Are shrimp worth it?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I keep amano shrimp and they are very entertaining little critters and also help contribute to keeping the tank clean of certain types of algae, if you decide to get shrimp though make sure you tank is suitable for them (stable water quality, good habitat etc) as some shrimp like amano shrimp can be very sensitive water quality conditions, so are not ideal for newly set up or cycling tanks.

 

[three-fingers]

I really want some shrimp, and during the weekend i am planning on getting a couple amanos for my tank with triops in it . When they are big enough they will go into my main tank, but i'll probably have to provide more hiding spaces.

I have wanted shrimp for soooooo long now!

 

[highfire]

I'm afraid I can't recomend either of them, having only kept fish myself.
However, I'm not a fan of snails period, so I shall go for shrimp. I have admired many in my LFS and always thought they look fascinating creatures.

PS: Being a keen gardener, I could quite happily live without snails!!

 

[nukeonekitty]

Snails are cool for about a week until the start spreding like a wildfire, be careful they don't take over your tank!

 

[Underwurlde]

Hello.

I have had experiences with both & I agree with everything written above.

Snails
They will breed exponentially & once they're in, are difficult to get out (but this may depend on the type of snail).
They are indeed very dirty.
Not that interesting - but it depends on you of course.
They will eat absolutely everything and that may include your plants. As a result your tank will be spotless - goodbye algae!
Zero maintenance.

Shrimp
Definately 'up there' in the interesting stakes & have personalities.
Best to have companions.
They'll keep the tank clean (but not as much as snails).
VERY fussy with regards water conditions. I did not think this as my LFS rated them as 'hardy'. 48hrs later they had all jumped out of my tank. And this was with the lid ON! So, as correctly mentioned above, ensure your tank is fully cycled & stable.

Andy

 

[three-fingers]

And this was with the lid ON!

How is that physically possible?!

 

[Underwurlde]

Because there are bloody holes at the back of the lid for mains wires & wot-not!

Found that out at the expense of 3 dead shrimp - all in a bid for freedom, found on my floor on the way to my kitchen.

Incredible but true - damn things are escapologists!

 

[three-fingers]

Lol i know what you mean about those holes, i had a hatchet jump out one of those . I have them completly covered now though. I still dont understand how anything can jump through those holes, though, it will probably always remain a mystery to mankind .

 

[Underwurlde]

So I'm not going bloody mad then. I did not actually see them jump out of the tank (otherwise I'd have saved them of course). But the lid WAS ON. The only exit is at the back through those holes...

 

[voo]

Apple snails are much better than the normal pond snails. They wont multiply as rapidly and as they lay eggs above water (they reproduce sexually so it requires 2), you can easily control the snail population by removing the eggs!

However i cant choose between apple snails and shrimps.

 

[tetraman]

Yeah, I had pond snails but I took them out after 2 days because they were making a lot of waste and I heard they could reproduce really fast. I now have them in a seperate cup of water and I give them the remains of my algae eater's wafers every morning. I'm keeping them in case I get more tanks and have an algae problem.

 

[dthoffsett]

I have an apple snail that I adore, he's (or she) always zooming around the tank. I went cheap on the shrimp, and got ghost/glass shrimp. They're great little characters, and they are hilarious to watch when they steal food from the fish. I'm thinking about getting some bigger shrimp too. Definately make sure your holes from filters, etc are covered as I lost a shrimp in my betta tank that way.

 

[tetraman]

I could only find a light hood for my 30 gallon tank, since it's an unusual size. That leaves 2/3 of my tank uncovered. I guess there's no shrimp in my future. That's also holding me back from getting any more swordtails. My first 4 died during the cycling. Everybody on this forum is from the UK! Not that that's a bad thing. Some of the English and Scottish counselors at my camp are my chums. I'm only 12. What do you call inchworms in the UK? Centimeter worms?

 

[tetraman]

Ha ha! I'm a Fish Fanatic now! Feel my wrath!