the essentials in brief
The number of dwarf shrimp you can keep together depends on the size of the aquarium and the type of shrimp. Everything else here...
The maximum number of dwarf shrimp in an aquarium depends on the size, filtration and planting of the aquarium.
An aquarium with at least 10 liters of water is recommended for dwarf shrimp. Read more here...
Dwarf shrimps are not only beautiful and lively aquarium inhabitants, but also very interesting animals that have a lot to offer. In this blog post you will learn some things you should know about dwarf shrimp: their origin and history, their nutrition and health, their breeding and reproduction, and their association with other animals.
The origin of the dwarf shrimp
Dwarf shrimp are distributed all over the world and occur in various habitats. Most species come from Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific islands, where they live in rivers, streams, lakes or rice fields. They prefer clean, clear, oxygen-rich water rich in vegetation. Some species can also be found in America, Africa or Europe.
The history of dwarf shrimps as inhabitants of aquariums was just beginning a few decades ago. The Japanese nature photographer Takashi Amano was one of the first to discover these animals for his aquariums. To remove algae from his strongly lit plant aquariums, he primarily used Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata).
This species was named after him and worldwide known. He later discovered other species such as the bee shrimp (Caridina logemanni) or the crystal shrimp (Caridina cf. cantonensis). He maintained and bred these in his aquariums.
Today there are many different species and breeding forms of dwarf shrimp, which differ in their color and markings as well as their care requirements. They are very popular with aquarists. They are kept in special shrimp tanks or in community aquariums. Since they require little space and do not put a lot of strain on the water, they are also ideal for nano aquariums.
The diet of dwarf shrimp
Dwarf shrimps are omnivores that eat plant and animal food. Algae, dead plant parts, microorganisms and detritus are the main food in nature. In the aquarium they can find some of this food themselves. But you also need regular feeding with special shrimp food.
Shrimp food is available in various forms such as granules, sticks, pellets or flakes. In order to meet the needs of shrimp, it should a high proportion of protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals and fiber contain. There is also special food with a higher nutrient content for young animals, females or farmed shrimp.
In addition to dry food, dwarf shrimp can also with fresh or frozen food be pampered. These include, for example, Artemia, mosquito larvae, Cyclops or Daphnia. These food animals provide the shrimp with valuable proteins and vitamins and stimulate their hunting instinct.
Tip: Dwarf shrimp also love foliage as a food source. Leaves contain many minerals and promote shrimp digestion. It also offers them protection and hiding places. Suitable leaves include sea almond tree leaves, oak leaves, beech leaves or walnut leaves. These should be dried and cleaned well beforehand.
Vegetables or fruit can also be offered to the dwarf shrimps as a herbal supplement. These include, for example: E.g. cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, carrots, peas, apples and bananas. To kill germs and soften the food, it should briefly scalded or frozen beforehand .
These foods should only be offered in small quantities and should be removed from the offer after 24 hours at the latest.
How to keep your shrimp healthy
Dwarf shrimp are relatively hardy animals that can live for two to three years if given good care. To maintain your health, it is important to pay attention to a few points:
The water quality should be checked regularly, and the water should be fine. The ideal water parameters depend on the specific species, but in general the water should be soft to medium hard, have a slightly acidic to neutral pH and a temperature between 18 and 28 degrees Celsius.
Note: Dwarf shrimp are very sensitive to medications that contain copper or other heavy metals. These can poison and kill the shrimp. Therefore, you should always make sure that the water does not contain such substances and that you do not add any medication to the aquarium without first informing yourself.
For good biological filtering, the filter should sufficiently dimensioned be. It should also be shrimp-proof, meaning it must not have any openings that shrimp can crawl into.
The water should be changed weekly. The water change should about 10 to 20 percent be. The new water should be poured in slowly. It should have the same temperature and similar values as the old water.
In order to offer the shrimp protection and opportunities to retreat, the aquarium should be equipped with: many plants, roots, stones or caves to be set up. The plants should be as natural as possible. They should not contain pesticides.
The food should be varied according to the needs of the shrimp. The food should not be too muchd must be removed after 24 hours at the latestto avoid contaminating the water.
The breeding of dwarf shrimps
Dwarf shrimp are very reproductive and can reproduce quickly under good conditions. The breeding process depends on the species, but in general the following steps can be distinguished:
After two to six months Depending on the species, the shrimp become sexually mature. The males are usually slightly smaller and slimmer than the females, whose abdomen is slightly wider. The females also have a so-called saddle. This is a collection of eggs in the neck area, which can be seen more or less clearly depending on the color of the shrimp.
Mating takes place when the female molts. It is then ready to conceive. The male recognizes this based on the pheromones that the female emits. The male then grasps the female with his scissors and his sperm packets are transferred into the female's genital opening.
Tip: In order to promote the breeding of dwarf shrimp, you can influence a number of factors, such as temperature, food quality or water parameters. A higher temperature accelerates the metabolism and thus also the molting and egg development of the shrimp.
The fertilization of the eggsr takes place in the female. The fertilized eggs are then held by the female on her abdominal legs and provided with food. The number of eggs varies zwischen 10 und 50 and depends on the size of the female. Depending on the species, the eggs have a different color, which usually corresponds to the color of the shrimp.
Depending on the species, it takes time three to six weeksuntil the eggs hatch. During this time you should not disturb the female and ensure good water quality. The female regularly fans her abdomen to supply the eggs with oxygen.
The young hatch at night. The young animals are miniature versions of the parents and are able to eat immediately. To protect them from predators, they should be kept in a separate breeding tank. They need a lot of fine food such as dust food, microalgae or crushed shrimp food.
Socialization with other animals
Keeping dwarf shrimps is possible both in shrimp-only tanks and in community tanks with other animals. However, there are a few points to keep in mind:
Dwarf shrimp should only with peaceful fish, which are not larger than 3 cm, are socialized. Larger or predatory fish may view the shrimp as prey and eat them or cause stress. Suitable fish include dwarf danios, tetras, killifish or livebearers.
Note: Dwarf shrimps can also be associated with herbivores, such as Otocinclus, Siamese barbels or butterfly cichlids. These can reduce the algae in the aquarium and therefore keep the water cleaner.
Dwarf shrimp can too with other invertebrates be socialized. These include snails, mussels or crabs. However, crossing or displacing species among each other should be avoided. There should be enough space and hiding places for all animals.
It is recommended to use dwarf shrimp not with species of the same genus, e.g. B. Neocaridina or Caridina. These species can mate with each other and produce undesirable hybrids, which usually have poorer coloration and lower vigor. If different species are to be kept, they should be kept in separate tanks or visually separated.
Dwarf shrimps are great aquarium animals
Dwarf shrimp are fascinating animals that add life and color to any aquarium. They are easy to keep, feed and reproduce and offer a lot of fun and variety for the aquarist. With a little knowledge and care, you can enjoy these little mini crabs for a long time and discover their exciting world.