Q&A for How to Make a Shrimp Aquarium

Yes, to mimic natural surroundings. The bottom will be too shiny if you don't cover it, plus it'll be hard for the shrimp to walk on it. Algae/food also grows on some substrate.

It is fine to keep a solitary ghost shrimp. Amano shrimp cannot be kept alone, but you do not need to worry about breeding within a group because they only breed in brackish water. Cherry shrimp interact with one another, so you should keep a group of at least six; if you'd like to keep them without breeding them, then look for only females,

No! The lobsters will try to eat anything in their domain, including shrimp.

Groups are beneficial to the shrimp, but not necessary. If you have the right conditions, you won't need to purchase many at the start, as they breed very quickly.

No, shrimp tanks are fresh water and most crabs need salt water to survive. Also, the crabs will end up eating the shrimp.

No, I wouldn't do this. The ghost shrimp will eat the baby cherry shrimp and attack the adults.

I wouldn't feed them zooplankton, as these are themselves small crustaceans. Commercial flake food and algae wafers will be perfect, with a little blanched vegetables every now and again. If your tank is established, I’d feed them every other day to allow them to naturally graze off the tank.

Just about any plants are good, as long as they share the same temperature needs as the shrimp you get (tropical plants for tropical shrimp tank, cold water plants for cold water shrimp tank).

Yes you can, just make sure the bowl isn't too small.

No, they are vastly different.

Yes, as long as the shrimp are large enough not to be eaten by the goldfish.

Nearly any freshwater fish will be compatible, as long as they are not big enough to eat the shrimp. Bettas are typically pretty aggressive, so I would not suggest these for cohabitation. I would look into rainbow fish, tetras, or even angelfish.

If you have freshwater shrimp, then the air pump is only necessary if the tank is overstocked or overplanted. However, a filter is necessary.

Just put them together and wait for them to reproduce.

About 3-10 depending on hiding places, plants, and how often you do maintenance on your tank.

Yes, as long as they are properly rinsed. If you are setting up a new tank it would be ideal to put the substrate in and let a few cycles of the tank run (about 2 - 3 weeks).

Maybe they just feel comfortable in a small space. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

If you want the water volume, you can multiply length by width by height. If you want the size in gallons/ litres, it might be easier to look up a fish tank size calculator.

There are lots of shrimp under $40. Cherry shrimp and ghost shrimp are most well known. Did you buy them as shrimplets?

You need a lid. Shrimps can jump when they are excited, so you need to be sure to have a lid. If you see a shrimp moving/swimming in your tank but not going down, they don't like the water.

It depends on the breed of shrimp you have, ghost shrimp can live from only a couple of days up to a year. Cherry shrimp can live 1-2 years. However, brine shrimp's lifespan can vary, brine shrimp eggs can live up to 25 years and a possible 25 years after hatching! It depends on the breed you have or are hoping to get.

An air pump is not really needed if you have a filter, air stone or plants. The filter creates surface movement, which adds oxygen to the water. Air stones and plants also release oxygen into the water.

Yes, they do. If you do not want to use an air pump, you may want to try adding live plants. Plants provide oxygen, through photosynthesis, and their debris will feed the shrimp. Alternatively, you can use an air stone and flake or pellet food. You will also likely need substrate, as algae and waste will collect on the glass, and they are difficult to clean. Sand and gravel are also much better for the shrimp to walk on, and are needed for most aquatic plants, if you decide to add plants.

Yes. keep the water on the colder side though, about 20 degrees Celsius. And clean the water weekly with suitable products from the local pet store (brand of your choice).

The tetras and guppies should be fine with it. However, goldfish have a tendency to eat anything they can fit in their mouth. Also, tetras and guppies are tropical fish whereas goldfish are cold freshwater fish, so they cannot be kept together.

Contact a professional caretaker of marine life, so they can go back to their natural habitat or somewhere similar.