Are my shrimp magically disappearing?

[mathman]

I have a 5 gallon red cherry shrimp tank with one Otto and one Chinese Hillstream loach. My shrimp are reproducing but just how long does it take for a shrimp to go from a baby to an adult? How many months? It seems its taking a long time.

Thank you

 

[Biollante]

Well, Yes I Do Not Mind If I Have Another of These Wonderful Appetizers, Thank-you!

I have a 5 gallon red cherry shrimp tank with one Otto and one Chinese Hillstream loach. My shrimp are reproducing but just how long does it take for a shrimp to go from a baby to an adult? How many months? It seems its taking a long time.
Thank you

Hi,

I am sure your Beaufortia kweichowensis appreciates the tasty snacks.:cower:

Biollante

 

[mathman]

Omg! Really do you think the Hillstream loach is eating them?

 

[Biollante]

Why Yes, Yes Indeed, and No Doubt Very Appreciative!

Omg! Really do you think the Hillstream loach is eating them?

Hi,

Butterfly Loaches, often sold as algae eaters, are in fact omnivores.

It is true they need spinach; romaine, kale and algae, but they also require bloodworms, larval critters (baby shrimp for instance), copepods and such.:gw

While peaceful fish they are territorial where other suckerfish are concerned and will eventually bully and kill the Otto, Otocinclus affinis especially in such a small tank.:cower:

You may already be aware that Beaufortia kweichowensis require fast moving, highly oxygenated water and really should be kept in groups of three, seven or more being optimum.

A very nice tank!

Biollante

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

The babies are sometimes paler in color and can easily hide in your dense vegetation.. However, after 4 weeks or so, you should start to spot more of them here and there....IME, fish will eat things that fit in their mouths...while not personally familiar with the loach you have, it may in fact eat the little ones it encounters..esp if it is active at night, when the shrimp are not..

Try gently disturbing your plants and see if any come up....

I am no shrimp expert so cannot answer about their gestation period....and maturity rates...sorry.

 

[mathman]

Thanks for the compliment. I will remove the Hillstream loach and place him in my 55G tank.

So, as of now, my 5g tank will house only red cherry shrimp and a couple of ottos...



Thanks

 

[mathman]

Gerry,

I see many baby shrimp but it seems that they are taking a long time to fully grow? Maybe I'm just impatient...does anyone know just how long they take to fully grow?

 

[Biollante]

Check Your Filter

Hi,

Newly hatched shrimp are really small in a tank with a lot of cover as yours has it may be a few days to a week before they venture out, but assuming temperature and food is right they grow pretty quick and are breeding in 3 months or so. :glee:

Getting the food right isn’t hard since they are omnivores, making sure they are getting some meat seems to help, exact temperature isn’t a big deal, it is more important that it not change suddenly.

Water parameters from soft to hard works and though much is made of the “sensitive” nature of these guys well, it is always a good idea to keep good conditions…

Make sure all filter and pump intakes have sponges on them, baby shrimp are really small. :cower:

Make sure you shrimp-proof your tank, these guys are amazing escape artists.:wink-new:

As with most inverts, you need to careful with copper.

A little patience, feed ‘em, keep ‘em in, keep predators out and you will be overrun with inbred Neocaridina heteropoda variety "red" in no time.

Biollante

 

[mathman]

Awesome tips. Thank you.