I'm new and clueless

[xnsdvd]

First off, hello to all you shrimp fans =)

Secondly, I'm setting up a new 6ft tank sometime in the next few weeks and I'm facing 2 problems:

1. The macrobrachium malayanum in my old 2ft tank are dying. And i have no idea why, Ph is a nice stable 7. Though I have no idea how hard the water is but the fish, bamboo shrimp and snails seem fine. On top of that I have an egg laden female. She's about an inch long and has been berried for about 2 weeks now. The eggs are small(1mm across) and green. I can't see any sign of embryos but I haven't exactly gotten a good look at her. any ideas?

2. I plan to use sunlight for the 6 footer($1500 for lights?? nooo way) So does anyone know any species of algae eating shrimp native to singapore/malaysia? I'm considering cherries and yamatos but I have no idea where they originate. and I'm afraid my Betta Pugnax might eat the cherries.

Anyway, thanks for the help =)

[Bradimus]

First off, hello to all you shrimp fans =)

Welcome

1. The macrobrachium malayanum in my old 2ft tank are dying. And i have no idea why, Ph is a nice stable 7. Though I have no idea how hard the water is but the fish, bamboo shrimp and snails seem fine.

Start by reading this article

So does anyone know any species of algae eating shrimp native to singapore/malaysia?

Try this page

I'm considering cherries and yamatos but I have no idea where they originate.

Cherries are a cultured strain of a shrimp native to China. Yamatos come from Japan.

[xnsdvd]

Thanks, but unfortunately i couldn't find anything on shrimp native to SEA region. Also, what on earth do I do with the egg laden female?

[Mustafa]

There are literally tons of shrimp species native to that region...probably hundreds. Just go out to a small creek or river and with some patience and good eyesight you should spot some.

You don't do anything with an ovigerous female. Just make sure that there are no fish in the same tank so the hatchlings do not get eaten. Alternatively, you can also move the female to another fishless (and Macrobrachiumless) well-established tank.