My new Ghosts

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:32 pm

Well, today I had to trade in a ton of surplus goldfish from my pond, and the only thing cheap enough that they would give me was a few ghost shrimp

5 to be exact. I was only suppost to get 4, but the girl gave me 5 instead

They are in one of my cycled tanks right now, inside a breeding trap, so the puffer does not eat them. They LOVE the java moss I put in there for em.

They are pretty too, and several of the females are carrying eggs. They have red markings too, on the antennae, chelae, and it looks like the uropods as well.

A few of them also have patchy green dotty like markings all over, a lot like the ones from the pictures from Shrimp Varieties.

Heres some pics:

Sorry the quality is bad, my camera is not real good...

They will go into the cycling ten gallon when its done cycling.

I'm happy

Tell me what you think

-John (AKA: The puffer Ninja)

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:42 pm

Happy for you

It is exciting when you have your first specimen for the tank. They look nice too! Best wishes with the new tank and be sure to show us pictures when you get them in their new home

.

Thanks.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:51 pm

Thanks Neonshrimp

Some less crappy shots:

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

YuccaPatrol · Post by **YuccaPatrol** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:07 pm

Those do look nice. I bought about 25 ghosts last week when the local store got in a shipment that looked healthier than any I have ever seen. They are incredibly cheap down here since they are collected nearby, but they rarely arrive at the stores in anything close to a healthy condition.

Mine look very much like Mustafa's, with the same blue markings and orange bands and spots.

I have bought ghosts many times, and rarely do they live more than a week, but I know it has been because of their poor conditions. Hopefully, these are the exception and will be with me for a long time.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:14 pm

Yeah, they are sold as feeders here and sell for 4 for/1$. I've had similar expereinces with them not living more then a week.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:29 pm

I bought about 25 ghosts last week when the local store got in a shipment that looked healthier than any I have ever seen.

How were you able to tell? Were they more active or did they just look in some way better? I would like to know what to look for in healthy ghost shrimp.

Thanks.

YuccaPatrol · Post by **YuccaPatrol** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:14 pm

Typically, the tank of "feeder shrimp" is littered with dead bodies and the living shrimp are generally pale with no colored markings. Many of them have lost their translucence and are beginning to turn white (somewhat like the difference between an uncooked and a cooked shrimp).

To top it off, some of the stores in my area treat all of their tanks non-stop for ick using copper based medications. I've got to get to the shrimp when they arrive at the store so they don't spend too much time in those poisonous tanks.

When I saw a tank full of colorful, active shrimp with no dead bodies and all the shrimp translucent, I jumped at the chance to get some healthy shrimp.

It has always been very frustrating that the locally purchased ghosts have never lasted more than a week or two in my tanks. But considering what I typically have to work with, it is no surprise and I don't blame myself for it.

I've had no deaths since buying them and I'm sure this batch is here to stay.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:36 am

Sad news, the big female in the second set of pictures died this morning...

She was fine when the lights went on, but a few hours later she had turned milky white and was dead. Its a shame...she had such gorgeous coloration.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

Shrimp&Snails · Post by **Shrimp&Snails** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:09 pm

If they are mega delicate I don't think i'll bother buying any.

Sorry you lost her.

YuccaPatrol · Post by **YuccaPatrol** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:14 pm

Shrimp&Snails wrote:If they are mega delicate I don't think i'll bother buying any.

I think their poor treatment by wholesalers and retailers who consider them nothing more than "feeders" is the reason that some of us have difficulty keeping them.

If you have a source for healthy ghosts, there is no reason they should not be strong and hearty in most any typical shrimp tank.

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:42 pm

I agree with your statement about the wholesalers, it's a shame

Thanks again fo the tip on how to spot healthy ghost shrimp.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:32 pm

Yes, thanks for the tip on finding healthy ghosties.

Good news, the remaining 4 ghosties are all alive and happily chowing down on critters in the Java Moss.

I'll keep you posted.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:34 pm

One of the LPS around here, seems to always get better quality Ghost Shrimp in.

They are alot smaller, than the rest of the stores.
I believe that means, they are also younger.

John

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:27 pm

Thanks for the PM Newjohn, i'll keep that in mind.

I put an oak leaf in today, and they are goign crazy eating stuff on it, here is some pics: Enjoy!

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:09 pm

It is always nice to see what's going on through pictures, thanks

Oak leaves work!