Shrimp on Shrimp violence

[theshrimp_123]

Wassup,

Right now I am waiting for my other shrimp so as of this moment, I only have freshwater ghost shrimp. Well I have a problem . My ghost shrimp are sparring with each other . Its like they are trying to establish some kind of territory,annoy each other, or just show off for a female (Oh, and by the way do they do that?). Whatever it is, I just want to know if they really fighting or just messing around.

Thanks

P.S.(:smt100 )

[51Cornell]

The only time I've seen my ghost shrimp even touch one another is when there is food involved, and then it's more of a tug-of-war. But maybe it also depends on how hungry your shrimp are and what type of ghost shrimp you have?

[Bradimus]

In part, it depends on the type of Ghosts. If they are P. paludosus, they are not physically capable of doing serious harm to each other. I suppose it is possible that a weaker individual could be harassed/intimidated to the point where he won't eat, but I have never seen it happen.

If they are a Macrobrachium species, which are occasionally sold as Ghosts, they are quite capable of killing each other.

Does your tank have enough visual breaks in it?

[theshrimp_123]

How can you tell them apart ? All I know is that they are true freshwater shrimp. They might be p. Paludosus i do know they aren't Macrobrachium because they lack the pincers. And i dont understand what you mean when you say breaks?

[51Cornell]

By "breaks" he means things to break up the shrimps' line of vision--rocks and wood and plants and such so if one wants to avoid another, it can.

And what kind of sparring are you seeing if they don't have pinchers to spar with?

[Bradimus]

If they are true freshwater, then they are most likely not Macrobrachium.

As for breaks, 51Cornell is correct. These greatly improve a shrimp's (or any animal) feeling of well-being and reduces stress. This tends to reduce aggression in the stronger animals while offering the weaker a chance to hide.