James_in_MN
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Well, my ghost shrimp population has been depleted yet again. I'm starting to think that it might be better to try a different bottom feeder.
20g high tank
10 black neon tetras
5 five banded barbs
3 ottos
2 female bettas
a few ghost shrimp
As you can see, I'm pretty much near the ceiling when it comes to bio-load of my tank, so I have to take that into consideration if I'm going to stray away from the ghosties.
I don't know what's killing off the ghost shrimp, but suspect the female bettas.
I'm thinking that I have a few options in front of me.
1) Re-home the female betta that I suspect might be offing the ghost shrimp, then add some more of them. I don't have anywhere to put her, and I'm not sure I'd want to dump her off on a LFS either.
2) Get a different bottom feeder for my tank. Options are limited IMO.
- a school of cory cats would overstock me
- kuhli loaches might work, but they may be better in groups large enough to overstock me
- any other shrimp would also likely become lunch
- pond / ramshorn snails seem like more of a pest than a benefit IMO
- mts might be an option, although they multiply like rabbits like pond / ramshorns
3) Don't bother getting another bottom feeder. I personally like the idea of having a cleanup crew, so I'd prefer to avoid this option.
Thoughts?
20g high tank
10 black neon tetras
5 five banded barbs
3 ottos
2 female bettas
a few ghost shrimp
As you can see, I'm pretty much near the ceiling when it comes to bio-load of my tank, so I have to take that into consideration if I'm going to stray away from the ghosties.
I don't know what's killing off the ghost shrimp, but suspect the female bettas.
I'm thinking that I have a few options in front of me.
1) Re-home the female betta that I suspect might be offing the ghost shrimp, then add some more of them. I don't have anywhere to put her, and I'm not sure I'd want to dump her off on a LFS either.
2) Get a different bottom feeder for my tank. Options are limited IMO.
- a school of cory cats would overstock me
- kuhli loaches might work, but they may be better in groups large enough to overstock me
- any other shrimp would also likely become lunch
- pond / ramshorn snails seem like more of a pest than a benefit IMO
- mts might be an option, although they multiply like rabbits like pond / ramshorns
3) Don't bother getting another bottom feeder. I personally like the idea of having a cleanup crew, so I'd prefer to avoid this option.
Thoughts?