Starting out - what do I get? Shrimp + fish?

[rread97]

Hey everyone!

Looking to start out again! Would love to have a community tank with both fish and shrimp? What could I get species wise with minimum maintenance? Not fussed about plants, not sure if hermit crabs could work too? Any thing else weird & wonderful I could mix in there? would love to know!

 

[Slaphppy7]

Welcome to TFF.

First, it is important to know what kind of source water you have, and it's hardness.

 

[rread97]

Welcome to TFF.

First, it is important to know what kind of source water you have, and it's hardness.

Thank you, will be freshwater, not sure the exact hardness but I know it’s rated hard / very hard water?

 

[Slaphppy7]

Check with your tap water provider for a water quality report.

 

[rread97]

Check with your tap water provider for a water quality report.

Total hardness is 124.6 what other details would be useful to know? Sorry for the many questions

 

[Rocky998]

What tank size are you looking at doing? Also, crabs (as far as I know) need land besides pom pom crabs...
For hard water, the fish that come to mind are mostly cichlids and guppies

 

[rread97]

What tank size are you looking at doing? Also, crabs (as far as I know) need land besides pom pom crabs...
For hard water, the fish that come to mind are mostly cichlids and guppies

Will be 20/25 gallon, could shrimp be housed with cichlids or they too aggressive? Any other fish recommendations?

 

[Rocky998]

Will be 20/25 gallon, could shrimp be housed with cichlids or they too aggressive? Any other fish recommendations?

Some types of cichlids MAY be ok but for the most part the shrimps will be a gourmet meal for them.... There are dwarf puffers but I think they might also eat shrimps as well

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Crabs are essentially predators and will eat fish, shrimp and anything else that they can get their cute little pincers on. Even faster fish won't be safe...they'll be got at night, when they're sleeping.
Cichlids will enjoy any shrimp, though not for company, if you get my drift?
In my tank with shrimp, I have kuhli loach, a panda garra, cherry barbs, copper harlequin, chili rasbora and dwarf gourami. The shrimp are fine and successfully breeding.