Should I get shrimp and/or snails for my 10 gallon community?

[momo]

As I said previously, since there are many species collectively referred to as ghost shrimp, I am sure it is possible that some are more capable than others at eating small fish, etc. However, the most commonly known/sold ghost shrimp have no claws with which to kill. Even so, I find it hard to believe a small shrimp could eat a snail the size of a mystery snail. Small snails, yes...but not grown snails.

Snails are soft and squishy. Ghosts turn snails on theyre backs and pull tiny tiny peices off at a time. No matter the size, the snails have no deffence. They donin fact have claws. They are just not huge.

 

[Coleallensmom]

Snails are soft and squishy. Ghosts turn snails on theyre backs and pull tiny tiny peices off at a time. No matter the size, the snails have no deffence. They donin fact have claws. They are just not huge.

I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree. I just don't see how a (non-clawed) ghost shrimp- Paleomonetes sp. could flip over a decent sized mystery snail.

From most of your descriptions, it sounds like some of you may have Macrobrachium sp. shrimp which are actually Red Clawed Macro shrimp. They are similar in appearance to ghost shrimp but are larger and do indeed have claws.

 

[Coleallensmom]

Ghost shrimp:

Red Clawed Shrimp:

 

[siva]

Do u think the ghost shrimp will harass my other fish? And will they eat my mystery snail?

No way they are gonna get a mystery snail.

True ghost shrimp do not kill fish.

 

[alLexX]

looking at the pic of the red claw macro shrimp,i can asure you that mine arent them,and look just like the ghost shrimp pic,and have wiped out my snail population.granted the snails were smaler then mystery snails,the biggest being about 1/2 the size of the ghost shrimp.

 

[maxwellag]

I mitt be getting them tonight. One more thing- for freshwater, would I need to add aquarium salt?

 

[MABJ]

You never need to. But it can be beneficial to some fish. What fish will be in there?

 

[Clownfish767]

You dont need to. All salt does is make fish have more slime on them which protects them from disease. It wouldnt hurt either though

 

[Clownfish767]

Haha didnt meen to post at the exact same time

 

[MABJ]

It does more than that. Its also good for gills and happiness of fish.

 

[Clownfish767]

Oh ok well thanks now i learned something new! haha i do only salt so im a little rough when it comes to FW.

 

[siva]

looking at the pic of the red claw macro shrimp,i can asure you that mine arent them,and look just like the ghost shrimp pic,and have wiped out my snail population.granted the snails were smaler then mystery snails,the biggest being about 1/2 the size of the ghost shrimp.

Yes, no one is debating that. That makes perfect sense.

 

[siva]

I mitt be getting them tonight. One more thing- for freshwater, would I need to add aquarium salt?

NO. Salt is only to treat infections.

 

[maxwellag]

Nevermind. Didn't get them tonight. Petsmart ran out of them! Lol

 

[momo]

Nevermind. Didn't get them tonight. Petsmart ran out of them! Lol

That doesnt surprise me, the same day my petsmart gets them in, they sell out. They are normally feeders haha

 

[maxwellag]

Ok I'm getting them tonight so how many should I get? I have a 10 gallon with five guppies, one sunburst Mickey mouse platy, and a peppered Cory catfish. Please answer fast cuz I'm about to leave

 

[maxwellag]

Come one someone PLEASE! I need an answer fast... Sorry if I'm impatient but I am going to the store before they close at 9:00 pm so I need to know how many to get.

 

[jetajockey]

Ghost shrimp? your tank looks pretty stocked as it is, but shrimp have a very minimal bioload. I'd start with 4 or 5 and see how it goes.

 

[maxwellag]

UGH! Nevermind! I'm not getting them tonight because my mom always changes her mind. She told me we would go today and then she said "I don't want to drive that far." when it is 4 miles from my house.

 

[maxwellag]

I'm getting them today. I'm jut curious: would it be ok if I put some nerite snails in there too? Also how many shrimp should I get?