Shrimps naturally serve as “guardians” in the planted aquarium. These small animals base their diet on plant matter, devouring amounts of filamentous seaweed. Basically, they prevent us from what is known as a algae explosion.
As already mentioned, shrimp feeds mainly on plant matter, being a great eater of filamentous algae. However, not only vegetables are fed. First we can note that it does not eat neither black algae nor brush algae. Then shrimp are quite voracious, so they also feed on remains of dead animals and larvae.
These shrimps benefit us from their algae control and as if this were not enough, they reassured us the peace of mind that the aquarium plants will not be eaten, except that they did not have any other kind of food available. Few plants would consider as food, one of them being Riccia.
In planted aquariums where they are overfed, shrimp may not be as efficient as filamentous algae controllers. In such cases, fish such as Otocinclus afinnismay be introduced.
Shrimps are peaceful animals and can be kept perfectly in small groups in community planted aquariums. Since they are very shy animals, it is recommended to have them always in groups and provide densely planted sectors for hiding. Although they do not have predators, the shelter significantly reduces their stress levels and normalizes their behavior.
Among the most common species in commercial aquariums we can mention species of Caridinas such as caridina cantonensis (very large). Other available varieties may be neocaridina denticulata sinensis and caridina serrata.
Shrimps are animals of twilight life, although it is worth noting that their activity does not diminish during the day except (that the lighting was too intense).
A key to the care of freshwater shrimps (but also marine) is their acclimatization to the aquarium. A very long and progressive acclimatization process is recommended, keeping the aquarium unlit to relieve the stress caused.
Another important factor is the type of fish that will integrate the habitat. If the shrimp aquarium mates are very large and with a somewhat aggressive character we will have problems. Most likely, such fish will feed on small shrimp. An example would be some cichlids.
This species of shrimp belongs to the family Atyidae and comes from Japan. Inhabits shallow water and freshwater lagoons (also brackish), it is also found in the territory of Taiwan.
Famous aquatic landscaper Takashi Amano popularized the adoption of shrimp to care for the aquarium, so this animal is also known as Amano's Shrimp.
Shrimp known as Caridina japónica is very similar to other varieties of sea prawns or freshwater shrimps. He has cephalothorax and exoskeleton, under which is located the abdomen and its muscles. In this area there is as a kind of skirt used during swimming. It also has four pairs of walking legs.
The body of Caridine is mainly transparent, however, its coloration usually varies depending on the food you have eaten recently. The size of the males reaches up to 3 centimeters, while the females can grow up to 6 centimeters.
The most obvious difference between males and females lies in size, since females can double the size of the male. Another detail to distinguish sexes is found in the stains of its decor. Females have longitudinal spots while males do not seem to maintain a constant pattern.
Maintaining this species of shrimp in an aquarium is relatively simple. It is strong and tolerant of various water conditions, adapting well in temperature ranges between 18º and 27º C. Regarding pH, neutral or slightly acidic waters are recommended. Water moderate to quite hard hardness will please you.
It is important that the medium has good levels of magnesium and calcium to stimulate the growth of its exoskeleton, as it moves it successively. To this end, it may be dangerous for this shrimp to live too soft waters. Another care is to avoid fertilizers for plants with high content of heavy metals.
The reproduction of Japanese Caridine is common in well-settled aquariums. The female will be sexually fit from the age of 5 months. This maturity can be visually perceived in the dark color developed in the female's womb.
To ensure the survival of the larvae, the female must be separated from the community aquarium, otherwise the fish will feed on them. Hatching (influenced by water temperature) takes 4-6 weeks. When larvae require sea water for their proper development (ratio of 30 grams per liter).
The feeding of caridine pups can be based on frozen plankton or artaemia nauplii. It is estimated that the life expectancy of this shrimp is almost 2 years in aquariums.
© Adrián Blanco 2007 - No full or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author.
—