Just some questions..

[Saddle]

Okay, eh, first, im a newbie to shrimps keeping. I understand that this forum are breeders who breeds for the sake of breeding, or hobbyists who keep these cute fellows as pets. I've been thinking of setting up a small tank for them too, but before i do that i thought i've better clarify my doubts first.

1. The shrimps that are mentioned in this forum, eg: red cherry/tigers/bee are they the same as those we find in the wet market? Eg: those that are sold as food to restraunts. If not, how different are they? I understand that old ancient mankinds just eat whatever they see. Is it possible that these shrimps are some kind of their diet? If not, WHY? Are they poisonous or what?

2. Thinking of setting up a small tank first. Is a 1ft tank enough? If yes, about how many shrimps can it house?

3. Saw from some threads that declorinator are harmful to the shrimps. Would like to know if hypo crystals do the same? Heard hypos are used to clear away the chlorinate in the water. If they are harmful, how shld i create a good water condition for the shrimps?

4. Would like to know if shrimps consume all those big food like beef heart, bloodworms..etc.

Hmm, i think before i get back some comments and advices on how to rear them up happily, i've better hold back on my ideas first!

[Bradimus]

1. The shrimps that are mentioned in this forum, eg: red cherry/tigers/bee are they the same as those we find in the wet market? Eg: those that are sold as food to restraunts. If not, how different are they?

It is doubtful that these shrimp are raised for food. They are too small to make it worth the while. Most freshwater shrimp that are raised as food are Macrobrachiums, which grow considerably larger.

I understand that old ancient mankinds just eat whatever they see. Is it possible that these shrimps are some kind of their diet? If not, WHY? Are they poisonous or what?

It is certainly possible, but there are larger, easier to catch animals in the same waters. It is likely that they would have been consumed first.

2. Thinking of setting up a small tank first. Is a 1ft tank enough? If yes, about how many shrimps can it house?

What is the volume of the tank? (liters or gallons).

3. Saw from some threads that declorinator are harmful to the shrimps. Would like to know if hypo crystals do the same? Heard hypos are used to clear away the chlorinate in the water. If they are harmful, how shld i create a good water condition for the shrimps?

Not sure what hypo crystals are, so I can't say. However, if the water is treated with chlorine and not chloriamine, you don't need a declorinator. Just the water sit for a few days with the filter running. The chlorine will dissapate.

4. Would like to know if shrimps consume all those big food like beef heart, bloodworms..etc.

Some probably would, but this diet is not ideal for (Neo)Caridina shrimp. They are adapted to eating vegetable matter.

[Saddle]

hey thanks! The tank im referring to shld be around 30cm? as for declorinator i guess i do need it as water in singapore are now treated with chlorinate instead of plain chlorine.

As for hypo, i did a search on yahoo and it is most likely to be "SODIUM THIOSULPHATE" It is odourless, and it is a white crystalline solid. Although there are heavy metals mentioned, but the fishes in those that i've seen using has no problems with it so far. so, is it advisable to use it for prawnies as well?

oh..and watch out here if you want more info on the hypos..

[Bradimus]

As for hypo, i did a search on yahoo and it is most likely to be "SODIUM THIOSULPHATE" It is odourless, and it is a white crystalline solid. Although there are heavy metals mentioned, but the fishes in those that i've seen using has no problems with it so far. so, is it advisable to use it for prawnies as well?

Sodium thiosulphate is the active ingredient in most liquid declorinators.

[Saddle]

ohhh...okay, then if i cycle my water (but putting in a filter) in the tank for like a few days, will it be okay? I heard by doing so the chlorinate would be cleared away and u needn't fear of chemical acting on your pets!

[rs79]

As for hypo, i did a search on yahoo and it is most likely to be "SODIUM THIOSULPHATE" It is odourless, and it is a white crystalline solid. Although there are heavy metals mentioned, but the fishes in those that i've seen using has no problems with it so far. so, is it advisable to use it for prawnies as well?

Sodium thiosulphate is the active ingredient in most liquid declorinators.

If you have chlorine in your water hypo will neutralize it. If you have chloramine in your water hypo will break the chlorine-ammonia bond, neutralize the chlorine and leave the still deadly ammonia in your tank. So hypo alone is not good enough to use against chloraminated water, you need a commercial product such as AmQuel which is made to neutralize chloramine. The stuff does work very well. Dose the tank, add chloraminated tapwater and the animals don't notice or care. It kills chloramine instantly on contact.