breeding shrimp: tips and advice

[connie]

My wife surprised me with Amazon shrimp - 3 blue ones left from 25 after 2 months. They're thriving in my live bearer tank, so I'm curious, can I expect any baby shrimp soon?

[wandg]

I started my colony with a breeder pack - 10 females and 5 males - worked like a charm.

[coltin]

To increase the chances of seeing baby shrimp, you'll need to provide them with a safe environment. A picture on the back of the tank and a bunch of floating plants would be a good start. Without plants, your swordtails and platies will likely eat any baby shrimp they come across.

A good resource for learning about aquarium plants, including a list of suitable plants, can be found here.

[kokomo]

The threat to nauplii from fish is real, given the size difference. To ensure your cherry shrimp population thrives, you'll need to take protective measures. Young cherry shrimp, those under 1/4 inch, will be viewed as a snack by platies, especially in the absence of adequate hiding spots for the shrimplets.

Increasing plant cover, particularly dense and bushy varieties, and incorporating shrimp-specific hiding caves will greatly enhance the nauplii's survival chances. Moss is also a viable option, providing a safe haven for the tiny shrimp.

In the initial 2-3 weeks, nauplii require biofilm and fresh algae to survive. After that, they'll start feeding on larger food sources.

To support biofilm growth, consider adding botanicals like cholla wood and catappa leaves.