Combining shrimp

[redclaws]

Hi, i was just wondering if i can put my single singapore shrimp with my two red claw shrimp (red claw macro) in a fairly well planted 38 gallon tank. My red claws each have their own little huts that they like to stay in and barely come out unless it is feeding time and they seem to get along with eachother and an albino sucker fish i have too. Just wondering if the combination would work! Thanks!

[badflash]

We aren't ignoring you, we just don't know. I've never kept a red claw.

My guess is that the red claws would make short work of the filter feeders. They have those claws for a reason.

[Mustafa]

Hmm...missed this post. Thanks for bumping it up again, badflash!

Filter feeders live defend themselves against macrobrachium shrimp by kicking them away with their large front feet. They can easily "dominate" a macrobrachium of similar size that way. The only time it might become dangerous for your filter feeders is when they molt and can't defend themselves. If your tank is very large and it has a lot of hiding spaces you can keep red claw shrimp and filter shrimp together. If you try to do that in a small tank that has barely any hiding spots, then you're taking a chance. Red claws are much mellower than other macros, so in your case you could give it a try in a 38 gallon. Provide a place high up in the current for the filter shrimp. That's most likely where it will also be after molting...out of the way of the red claws.

[redclaws]

Thank you very much! Your answer helps a lot, currently my singapore shrimp is in the tank with the red claws. They seem to get along o.k. too, the singapore shrimp is sitting in a plant that puts him in the perfect spot to catch micro-organisms from the filter current. He is showing some of the best colors I've ever seen on a singapore shrimp too! He has a nice thick line of cream color on his back and is very deep red. I think he appreciates the move from his 10 gallon tank to the 38 gallon one! Thanks again!