Add Color to Your Tank with Freshwater Shrimp

Have you ever thought of adding freshwater shrimp to your aquarium? A wonderful addition to any tank, shrimp brighten and bring zest to a tank.

When it comes time to stock your freshwater tank you might take a trip to the local pet store to see what species of fish they have available. Freshwater fish come in all kinds of different colors and patterns, but you have to worry about choosing species that can get along together. If you want to add some color your tank without worrying about tropical fish compatibility, consider adding some freshwater shrimp!

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Popular Species of Freshwater Shrimp

There are many different species of freshwater shrimp, but not all of them are recommended for the freshwater aquarium. Many freshwater shrimp are brightly colored and many of them serve useful purposes in the tank as well. Below you will find a list of the top freshwater shrimp species for the home aquarium:

Tips for Caring for Freshwater Shrimp

Caring for freshwater shrimp is generally fairly easy as long as you take the time to plan your tank properly before you set it up. Freshwater shrimp are fairly small, so you do not need a giant tank to keep them. You do, however, need to make sure that you take into account the number of shrimp you will be keeping when choosing the right size for your tank.

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Once you’ve chosen your tank, you need to outfit it with the proper equipment. Filtration is important in a shrimp tank because it helps to keep the water clean and the nitrate/ammonia levels low. You need to be careful, however, because shrimp can be sucked up into strong filtration system like hang-on filters and canister filters. For this reason, a sponge filter is one of the best options for a shrimp tank. If you choose to use a hang-on filter or canister filter, at least put a sponge over the intake valve.

In addition to outfitting your tank properly, you also need to think about decorations. The type of substrate you choose may vary depending on the type of shrimp you keep – some prefer sandy substrate while others prefer gravel. Decorate your tank in a way that provides plenty of hiding places for your shrimp as well – this should include some live plants. Once your tank is set up, all you have to do is maintain it to keep the water quality high. Luckily, your shrimp will help out a little bit by feeding on some of the detritus that accumulates in the substrate of your tank.

Freshwater shrimp can add a splash of color to your freshwater tank but you need to be careful about pairing them with fish. As long as your fish aren’t big enough to fit a shrimp in its mouth, you shouldn’t have to worry.

If you think there’s something fishy about Kate Barrington, it’s because she’s been a lifelong lover of pets, particularly aquarium fish. Since receiving her first 10-gallon tank as a birthday present in 5th grade, she has become an avid aquarium enthusiast as well as a freelance writer specializing in the aquarium niche. Kate is a regular contributor to several aquarium fish websites and has a column in a bi-monthly pet magazine.