Well, I have both my new 33 gallon hex (thanks, Dave... looks GREAT in our foyer) and one of my 55 gallons all nice and planted (think maybe I should have put a thicker cap of color quartz in the 55... seems like quite a bit of the dirt managed to... I dunno... creep up, on one part... aaahh) and getting ready to cycle now... so...
I am thinking of inhabitants, and I think this is what I have come up with so far.
in the 33 gallon, maybe some red cherries shrimp and some tiger shrimp, one BN pleco, and say... maybe some galaxy rasboras and endlers or furcata rainbows?
in the 55 I am thinking of doing yellow shrimp and dark green shrimp, with maybe some dwarf crays. not too sure about the fish yet though. any suggestions? and as a shrimp novice, is there anything special I should know about my potential shrimp choices that anyone can tell me? based on what I have read so far, they seem easy enough. thanks in advance for any ideas/advice.
So... I'm Brainstorming a Bit...
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ddavila06
- GWAPA Member
- Posts: 1593
- Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:50 pm
- Real Name: Damian Davila
- Location: Burke, Va
i like the 33 idea, a small colony of furcatas would be awesome as the main larger community (are you getting them from the franks aquarium order? i am 
) how about some ottos to help the pleco with the algea???
as far as shrimp goes i have no idea...i did hear around that the tank has to cycle quite a bit to house them properly.
as far as inhabitants i would defenitly do a small colony of angelfish, say 4 silvers? maybe a few other rainbowfish; the boesmani are nice... I DIDN'T SEE ANY CATFISH LISTED except for that pleco...? you can get a few species that stay small and are nice like the clown plecos? some loaches would be nice...
not my zebra loaches though 
have fun setting them up! post some pics soon!!
) how about some ottos to help the pleco with the algea???as far as shrimp goes i have no idea...i did hear around that the tank has to cycle quite a bit to house them properly.
as far as inhabitants i would defenitly do a small colony of angelfish, say 4 silvers? maybe a few other rainbowfish; the boesmani are nice... I DIDN'T SEE ANY CATFISH LISTED except for that pleco...? you can get a few species that stay small and are nice like the clown plecos? some loaches would be nice...
not my zebra loaches though have fun setting them up! post some pics soon!!
Damian Davila
"Fishes-up, chill, Plants too"
"so many plants, so little space!"
"Fishes-up, chill, Plants too"
"so many plants, so little space!"
Furcatas will mow shrimp.
Threadfins, or galaxy danios are a better solution - or micro rasboras, or espei or green eye rasboras, at leas tin my experience. That 33g isn't a tall tank.
You'll have to have a lot of petience to do this btw. You really want the tank tot cycle, get the shrimp colony going, then add fish - else start with an absolute ton of shrimp...
Threadfins, or galaxy danios are a better solution - or micro rasboras, or espei or green eye rasboras, at leas tin my experience. That 33g isn't a tall tank.
You'll have to have a lot of petience to do this btw. You really want the tank tot cycle, get the shrimp colony going, then add fish - else start with an absolute ton of shrimp...
Dave
A few thoughts...
1. Shrimp need not only a well-cycled tank, but do much better in an "aged" tank as well. Their main diet, and ideally their entire diet for that matter, is made up of all the microfauna (the biofilm) that eventually forms on all of the surfaces of your tank: substrate, plants, the glass, driftwood, etc. Usually there is only a very minimal amount of that present in a newly cycled tank. A good rule of thumb is to wait 1-2 additional months post-cycle (with *something* living in the tank during that time) in order to provide the opportunity for that biofilm to grow.
2. In a tank with fish (of any sort), shrimplet survival will be questionable at best. The more heavily planted, especially with copious amounts of mosses, the more likely you'll get some babies to survive. If you're really looking to seriously breed shrimp, then a fishless tank is the way to go. If you don't necessarily care whether you get much in the way of shrimp breeding, then fish that are small enough to not eat the adult shrimp will be fine.
3. When keeping more than 1 species of dwarf shrimp in the same tank, there are two main considerations. One, prevent hybridization by only getting species known to be safe to house together. Two, find two species that fit that criteria, that also enjoy the same preferences for water parameters. This can prove to be a more difficult task than one might think. For the 33 tank, RCS and Tigers make fine tankmates from the hybridization standpoint, as RCS are a Neocaridina species while Tigers are a Caridina species. Now as for tank conditions...that's a different story. Tigers prefer acidic conditions; at pH's above 7 they start to get increasingly lethargic, shorter-lived, and survival rate of babies plummets. Higher than pH 7.2 (or 7.4 at the absolute highest), you can expect nearly 100% morality on babies. RCS, on the other hand, much prefer alkaline conditions, and once you get into the acidic range (especially if it's below pH 6.8 or so), you'll start seeing exactly the same results with them as I described for the Tigers in alkaline conditions--though in general RCS should be a bit better in acid than Tigers are in alkaline. In your 55 gal, yellow shrimp are just a color variant of RCS, so water conditions are the same. Then you have the infamous "green" (or, "dark green") shrimp. Now things get really confusing. There is absolutely no standard in the hobby right now for the description, common names, and scientific names of the many species of shrimp that go by some variation on the name "green" shrimp. I spend time on basically all of the major national shrimp forums and a little bit on some of the international ones, there is simply no agreement right now on what the heck these things are. Among green-colored shrimps in the hobby you see names like "Green shrimp," "Dark Green Shrimp," "Neon Green Shrimp," "Red-Tailed Green Shrimp," and "Bright Green Shrimp"...as well as "Rainbow Shrimp," "Malaya Shrimp," "Wild Neocaridina," "Green Neocaridina," "Green Caridina," and probably a half dozen others. Two online stores (or individual breeders) that list the same common name will list different scientific names; two places or breeders that list the same scientific name will list them under different common names. There is just a lot of confusion, so it's hard to know exactly what you're getting. If you can buy shrimp from a legit private breeder, at the very least you'll be able to rest assured that you're getting either a Caridina or a Neocaridina. This will be important, as you need to assume that any Neocaridina will hybridize with your Yellows. So whatever green-colored shrimp you get, you need to be sure it's a Caridina. Beyond that, it's all pretty confusing.
Overall, though, it sounds like a good plan you have. Just keep in mind you might find some species thriving more than others, depending upon your water conditions. If you know right now what the final pH of your tanks is going to be, perhaps some of us could make slightly more concrete suggestions.
EDIT: While there are many good sites with information about shrimp, the two best (IMO) and ones I recommend are:
Petshrimp
Arizona Inverts
1. Shrimp need not only a well-cycled tank, but do much better in an "aged" tank as well. Their main diet, and ideally their entire diet for that matter, is made up of all the microfauna (the biofilm) that eventually forms on all of the surfaces of your tank: substrate, plants, the glass, driftwood, etc. Usually there is only a very minimal amount of that present in a newly cycled tank. A good rule of thumb is to wait 1-2 additional months post-cycle (with *something* living in the tank during that time) in order to provide the opportunity for that biofilm to grow.
2. In a tank with fish (of any sort), shrimplet survival will be questionable at best. The more heavily planted, especially with copious amounts of mosses, the more likely you'll get some babies to survive. If you're really looking to seriously breed shrimp, then a fishless tank is the way to go. If you don't necessarily care whether you get much in the way of shrimp breeding, then fish that are small enough to not eat the adult shrimp will be fine.
3. When keeping more than 1 species of dwarf shrimp in the same tank, there are two main considerations. One, prevent hybridization by only getting species known to be safe to house together. Two, find two species that fit that criteria, that also enjoy the same preferences for water parameters. This can prove to be a more difficult task than one might think. For the 33 tank, RCS and Tigers make fine tankmates from the hybridization standpoint, as RCS are a Neocaridina species while Tigers are a Caridina species. Now as for tank conditions...that's a different story. Tigers prefer acidic conditions; at pH's above 7 they start to get increasingly lethargic, shorter-lived, and survival rate of babies plummets. Higher than pH 7.2 (or 7.4 at the absolute highest), you can expect nearly 100% morality on babies. RCS, on the other hand, much prefer alkaline conditions, and once you get into the acidic range (especially if it's below pH 6.8 or so), you'll start seeing exactly the same results with them as I described for the Tigers in alkaline conditions--though in general RCS should be a bit better in acid than Tigers are in alkaline. In your 55 gal, yellow shrimp are just a color variant of RCS, so water conditions are the same. Then you have the infamous "green" (or, "dark green") shrimp. Now things get really confusing. There is absolutely no standard in the hobby right now for the description, common names, and scientific names of the many species of shrimp that go by some variation on the name "green" shrimp. I spend time on basically all of the major national shrimp forums and a little bit on some of the international ones, there is simply no agreement right now on what the heck these things are. Among green-colored shrimps in the hobby you see names like "Green shrimp," "Dark Green Shrimp," "Neon Green Shrimp," "Red-Tailed Green Shrimp," and "Bright Green Shrimp"...as well as "Rainbow Shrimp," "Malaya Shrimp," "Wild Neocaridina," "Green Neocaridina," "Green Caridina," and probably a half dozen others. Two online stores (or individual breeders) that list the same common name will list different scientific names; two places or breeders that list the same scientific name will list them under different common names. There is just a lot of confusion, so it's hard to know exactly what you're getting. If you can buy shrimp from a legit private breeder, at the very least you'll be able to rest assured that you're getting either a Caridina or a Neocaridina. This will be important, as you need to assume that any Neocaridina will hybridize with your Yellows. So whatever green-colored shrimp you get, you need to be sure it's a Caridina. Beyond that, it's all pretty confusing.
Overall, though, it sounds like a good plan you have. Just keep in mind you might find some species thriving more than others, depending upon your water conditions. If you know right now what the final pH of your tanks is going to be, perhaps some of us could make slightly more concrete suggestions.
EDIT: While there are many good sites with information about shrimp, the two best (IMO) and ones I recommend are:
Petshrimp
Arizona Inverts
Fr. John Paul Walker, O.P.
May I recommend yoyo loaches? We have 5 in our 75 gal and they are an absolute trip to watch. I call them the "kids". As for galaxy danos; if you are willing to wait a bit, Scott's colony in his 10gal have figured out breeding. He has 5 originals, 1 first generation, and I've just located 4 more babies today. 
How long are you willing to wait if I can convince him to give some up in later months?
How long are you willing to wait if I can convince him to give some up in later months? Bridget
Sounds like I need some Tiger shrimp for my blackwater tanks. I'll have to read up on them since I am having a grand old time with the RCS I have but won't do well long term in any of my tanks outside their breeding tank.
Have the tanks stabilized long enough to know what the current parameters of the tank are? That will help with fish selection as well as a pic to get an idea of how it's planted and if you have lots of water flow or limited water flow
So many fish... so little time...
Have the tanks stabilized long enough to know what the current parameters of the tank are? That will help with fish selection as well as a pic to get an idea of how it's planted and if you have lots of water flow or limited water flow
So many fish... so little time...Best, Corey
everyone, I really, really appreciate all the advice... just so everyone knows, though, I have done a considerable amount of research regarding shrimp. my plan, definitely, is to add the fish after the tanks cycle, and allow them to mature... probably for several months, probably more like 6 months. and then, as dave alluded to above, I hope to add quite a large colony when I add them. so no worries... the plan was always to let the tanks mature some before adding the shrimp. when I did have my red cherries earlier this year, I rare put food in that tank... maybe once or twice a week was all... so as to not foul the water, because of the shrimps diet, and the fact there were no other fish in there but my glass cats... which strangely did not seem to bother the shrimp... and my BN pleco.
Padre... I know what you mean regarding the green shrimp. I have done a lot of research on them as well, and have found a source of the true dark green shrimp that I trust, from a place called planetinverts. if anyone knows anything bad about them, let me know... but a few months ago, I bought a large alottment of amanoes from him, and they were in excellent health. I plan on getting the dark green shrimp at this link:
http://www.planetinverts.com/store/inde ... cts_id=197
I definitely appreciate the info on the tigers... I like how they look, but was getting conflicting info regarding the exact water params... maybe I will stay away from them, and try another Red cherry compatible shrimp instead, that has easier params to deal with. I don't much like screwing around with pH and water hardness.
ddavila... nope... no catfish, for the most part. I only plan to use the BN plecos. frankly, I have not had much luck with otos, and am not all that interested in trying again. most of the other fish you named would surely mow my shrimp down though... ESPECIALLY those angelfish and bosemanis!
Dave, I was on the fence with the furcatas... someone told me he has them in with red cherries, and they don't seem to bother them. that said, I will take your word for it. furcatas, scratched!
I'm trying to get... you know... "there". I don't think I am "there" just yet, as evidence by my indifference towards say green eye rasboras and other micros... I simply have not been that impressed with most of the photos I have seen of those I guess. that said, I am just now starting to really see the coolness of endlers... and it took me some time to see that also! LOL... so I don't know where I am yet with this, but I'm working on it.
thanks for all the great advice, guys and gals!
magsdez... its a work in progress, so you know... I don't really have any specific time tables at this moment... I'll just go along and let it develop. so, if you don't mind, just keep me in the loop on the progress of the breeding galaxies, and we'll see how it works out? thanks a lot!
Padre... I know what you mean regarding the green shrimp. I have done a lot of research on them as well, and have found a source of the true dark green shrimp that I trust, from a place called planetinverts. if anyone knows anything bad about them, let me know... but a few months ago, I bought a large alottment of amanoes from him, and they were in excellent health. I plan on getting the dark green shrimp at this link:
http://www.planetinverts.com/store/inde ... cts_id=197
I definitely appreciate the info on the tigers... I like how they look, but was getting conflicting info regarding the exact water params... maybe I will stay away from them, and try another Red cherry compatible shrimp instead, that has easier params to deal with. I don't much like screwing around with pH and water hardness.
ddavila... nope... no catfish, for the most part. I only plan to use the BN plecos. frankly, I have not had much luck with otos, and am not all that interested in trying again. most of the other fish you named would surely mow my shrimp down though... ESPECIALLY those angelfish and bosemanis!
Dave, I was on the fence with the furcatas... someone told me he has them in with red cherries, and they don't seem to bother them. that said, I will take your word for it. furcatas, scratched!
I'm trying to get... you know... "there". I don't think I am "there" just yet, as evidence by my indifference towards say green eye rasboras and other micros... I simply have not been that impressed with most of the photos I have seen of those I guess. that said, I am just now starting to really see the coolness of endlers... and it took me some time to see that also! LOL... so I don't know where I am yet with this, but I'm working on it.
thanks for all the great advice, guys and gals!
magsdez... its a work in progress, so you know... I don't really have any specific time tables at this moment... I'll just go along and let it develop. so, if you don't mind, just keep me in the loop on the progress of the breeding galaxies, and we'll see how it works out? thanks a lot!
NO NO NO NO NO NO !!!!rich_one wrote:
Padre... I know what you mean regarding the green shrimp. I have done a lot of research on them as well, and have found a source of the true dark green shrimp that I trust, from a place called planetinverts. if anyone knows anything bad about them, let me know... but a few months ago, I bought a large alottment of amanoes from him, and they were in excellent health. I plan on getting the dark green shrimp at this link:
http://www.planetinverts.com/store/inde ... cts_id=197
Ryan Wood, the owner of Planet Inverts, currently owes dozens (if not hundreds) of people thousands of dollars. He is either a scam artist or else someone who got in way too deep over his head and can't get out. He's currently under police investigation for fraud and since his "business" crosses state lines (obviously, as an internet mail order business) I have the sneaking suspicion the FBI will become involved soon--if they aren't already.
From the dozens of testimonies I've read, here is what happens:
1. He lists shrimp for sale in his store--virtually all of which are shrimps he purchases from overseas.
2. He lists them as "available" even though he doesn't currently have them in stock.
3. He lets people order them, he takes their money (via PayPal), immediately transfers the money out of PayPal and into his bank account.
4. If the shrimps arrive from his overseas shipper on-time, he sends them out. Great. If something goes wrong and the shrimp don't arrive, or they arrive dead, he makes excuse after excuse. This sometimes goes on for months. Yet he refuses to refund your money. And since the money you paid is immediately transferred out of PayPal, filing a complaint (as many have done) with PayPal doesn't do anything. PayPal investigates and tells you they are unable to act because his account currently has a balance of zero.
It's very sad, as Ryan used to be a well-respected member of the dwarf shrimp community. He is now probably the #1 most loathed shrimp supplier in the country, and quite likely to be spending a fair amount of time in a jail cell soon.
If you want to read more about this (enough to turn your stomach), there is a long discussion over at the ShrimpNow forums--a website where Ryan used to be one of the main contributors.
The Long Sad Saga of Planet Inverts
There's the link.
Fr. John Paul Walker, O.P.
It's a really unfortunate thing what's gone on around Planet Inverts. As FJP mentioned, he used to be a great source for shrimp. I believe that he jump on the Sulawesi bandwagon, and ended up with more DOAs then he could finance himself. It would be great if he could right his ship eventually, but I wouldn't recommend dealing with him until that's the case, if ever.
