Petshrimp.com Discussion Forum

8 gallon TALL tank :

10'L * 10'W * 18'H

Heavily Planted

UGF

* FULLY CYCLED

12 Red Ember Tetras

3 Cherry Shrimp

Biweekly 10% water changes

Feed once/day - fish flakes

1) HOW MANY MORE CHERRY SHRIMP CAN I ADD IN?

2) HOW MUCH OF A STRESS DO CS PLACE ON THE BIOLOAD?

A tall tank is usually not a good tank for shrimp since tall tanks have less bottom space. You can add 7-10 more shrimp in there, but let me tell you in advance that your population won't multipy much (or at all) with 12 tetras waiting ready to devour any shrimp larvae.

Plus, if you get any young captive-bred shrimp they are usually small enough that there is a chance the tetras go after them and *at least* try to harass them if not eat them the moment you introduce them into your tank.

If you go out and buy adult shrimp online or in a store, they are usually imported shrimp and *all female*, so you won't be breeding shrimp anytime soon. So, you have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages for you of having fish and shrimp together in such a small tank. Shrimp usually feel happiest, reproduce better and are a lot more in the open to be observed in tanks without fish. That's why I usually recommend shrimp only tanks.

The bioload of shrimp is about the same as for very tiny fish in my experience.

Thanks Mustafa for the quick info!

I live in Thailand and Cherry Shrimp are readily available here and cheap. I'll take your suggestion of adding 10 more CS into my tank.

I wasn't really looking to breed them, more for bottom feeders and display.

So far, my lil Ember Tetras don't bother the 3 shrimps that I have, at least not that i've noticed. If they breed, it'll be a bonus as the tank is heavily planted w/lotsa hiding spaces.

But after reading ur forum, I'm starting a shrimp only tank as well!

Thanks again!

thaiboxer wrote:
But after reading ur forum, I'm starting a shrimp only tank as well!

Thanks again!

Good! Another convert. By the way, Thailand has many nice native shrimp species in almost every river or creek. Another great place for a shrimp collection expedition.