Freshwater Shrimp Species

[PBirdsong]

What are some different freshwater shimp out there besides the ghost shrimp? And what are they like?

 

[Guest]

Singapore (aka bamboo, aka wood) shrimp are probably the most entertaining to have. They reach three or four inches in length, can be a vibrant dark red, and are completely peaceful.

Cherry red shrimp are pretty sweet. The males become an intense RED red color. They do great as algae eaters, too. Never seen one get bigger than an inch, though.

 

[Aquarium Freak]

Algae Eating Shrimp(what they were labeled at lfs) are really cool they are kinda a green colour and about 1inch long. Also like Technic said Cherry shrimp are also a bright red. Both of these shrimp are peaceful but the Algae Eating Shrimp might get eatin by bigger fish :|
Good Luck

 

[PBirdsong]

Thanks! All this time I only knew of the Ghost shrimp.

 

[Toirtis]

Don't forget the loveable vampire shrimp...big and scary-looking, but a harmless filter feeder!

 

[Toirtis]

Wood shrimp:

 

[Toirtis]

Crystal red shrimp:

 

[PsiPro]

I have Cherry Reds, really like them. They are usually an in long but its possible for them to get bigger.

I think all shrimp love planted aquariums, my Cherry reds keep the plants sparkeling.

Heres a decent site: http://www.fishpondinfo.com/shrimp.htm

 

[KittyKat]

japonica shrimp: max 2in, pieceful, keep in groups of at least 5. fun to watch

 

[Toirtis]

Frank is an excellent source:

http://www.franksaquarium.com/freshwatershrimpfarm.htm

 

[PBirdsong]

How big to the vampire shrimp tend to get?

 

[Toirtis]

How big to the vampire shrimp tend to get?

4"-6"...really impressive and colourful at that size....but get them small and grow them up....a 5" vamp will cost you a good $40.

 

[PBirdsong]

Yeah, junior is the way to go in this hobby. My Balas were only a couple of bucks, but I have seen adult ones for as much as $40!

 

[Lance M.]

Man NICE pics Toitis!!

Ya young ones are the way to go-> cheaper

 

[Toirtis]

Not mine, but ones I collected online and from friends...I like to have a good collection of reference photos on hand.

 

[Veneer]

Crystal red shrimp

As with cherry red shrimp, a man-made variety. Those are actually fairly low-grade; premium specimens (see "Crystal Red Shrimp Grading Guide") draw truly hideous prices.

 

[Veneer]

Some of my own specimens (several personally collected in Puerto Rico):

Atyidae

Atya lanipes:




Xiphocarididae

Xiphocaris elongata:






Palaemonidae

Undetermined Macrobrachium 1:



Undetermined Macrobrachium 2:



Undetermined Macrobrachium 3:



Likely M. acanthurus:







M. rosenbergii:



"M. duarii":







Please accept my apologies for the poor image quality.

 

[Tiffi]

I've heard though that Macriobrachium shrimps go after fishes and try to eat them. True?

 

[Veneer]

I've heard though that Macriobrachium shrimps go after fishes and try to eat them. True?

Some (but by no means all) of them do: look to the first M. duarii image. Indeed, M. carcinus (some specimens 26 inches+) have been documented as having gone after fair-sized watersnakes.

 

[Toirtis]

Indeed, M. carcinus (some specimens 26 inches+) have been documented as having gone after fair-sized watersnakes.

Scary big shrimp!