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Like the title suggests, this is gonna be just another shrimp thread, and for that I apologize, but I've found too much conflicting advice on the net about these little guys, so I thought I'd give my tank's specifics and get the best info for my situation once and for all.

Anywho, my girlfriend and I have a 50 gallon measuring 36L, 16W, 20T which is happily cycled and populated by 3 Black Skirt Tetras, 5 Neon Tetras, 6 Cardinal Tetras, and 6 Pygmy Corys. Everyone gets along fine and is happy and healthy but we've recently attempted to break into live plants, which is going fine so far. Unfortunately, with the upgrade in lighting and the use of liquid nutrients we've forced an algae problem upon ourselves which we hoped would take a while longer to develop. My girlfriend has an unnatural fondness for shrimp, and so were planning on getting some for the algae problem.

Considering the fish already in there would it be a good idea to get any kind of shrimp, and if so, which kind should we get for the problem we're facing? Furthermore, given the size of our tank, how many should we get to do the job effectively...that is, if you recommend getting any at all. Also, I read some shrimp have a tendency to jump out of the tank and dry up on the floor, is this true? Cause that'd be a shame seeing as how we have an open top. Anyway, thanks in advance and sorry if this was a horrible rambling mess.

PS - My girlfriend just mentioned that it might be useful to tell the world what kind of plants we're attempting in case it made a difference. They would be Amazon Swords, Ozelot Swords, and a Moss Ball to start out.

Shrimp arent exactly my thing so i cant recommend a certain kind but with the fish in there you shouldnt have any problems putting shrimp in. good luck!

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we dont know what to do.

Hi,
I've tried the Ghost Shrimp and the Cherry Red Shrimps.
In each case they lasted less than 4 days. The only
thing I could put my finger on was the Black Skirt
Tetras that I have in the tank. I believe the 6 of
them really appreciated the fresh food.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I'd agree, Black Skirts are not the type of small tetra you often see in Amano-style tanks, which often contain Amano AKA Japonica shrimp. Of the fish you have, they are probably the greatest threat to shrimp; the other fishes would probably leave them alone.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Black skirts are a pain.

Perhaps the larger shrimp would stand a better chance? Not certain, but I believe fan shrimp are larger. They might escape the attentions of nippy tetras.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

First off, thanks for the responses, I didn't expect them so quickly. But unfortunately my GF has become quite attached to all the fish in the tank, especially the Black Skirts, as they're often quite amusing. They're definetly more than simple decorations to us, so getting rid of any of them is out of the question. Does anyone know if Fan shrimp are as likely to clean algae as the other smaller (and possibly tasty) options?

Also, are any shrimp we get likely to outcompete the pygmy corys on the bottom if there's not enough algae to keep their interests?

None of us said to get rid of your fish.

Fan shrimp are filter feeders, so I'm not sure about their algae-eating habits. They would be a less likely algae-eater than some of the other shrimps that prefer to feed off of surfaces. I'm not even sure if they eat algae, but someone who actually knows more about shrimps can weigh in on that.

Shrimp are highly unlikely to outcompete pygmy corys.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

I know no one suggested we get rid of them, I was just heading anyone off before they thought it. Hmm...maybe we'll try with some cheap Ghosties to see if the Black Skirts have any blood lust in 'em. They're fairly timid with the others in the tank...but I suppose you can't fight nature, and if something looks like food it IS food...

Unless the algae is planktonic (green water), filter feeders won't eat it. They simply aren't equipped to do so.

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Hmm, didn't even see the algae thing, sorry! I was just thinking something that might survive being hassled by tetras. Yeah, the filter feeders won't do you any good with attached algae.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

i wouldn't suggest shrimp at all - there are other, better algae eaters such as siamensis and sturisoma species which would help you out. my personal recommendation is sturisoma panamense, the royal whiptail - best algae eater i've ever kept in 30 + years.

Hi for one Ghost shrimp will not eat algae, I have tried them as algae eaters and they wont touch the stuff. They will eat the fish food, and the like that gets to the bottom. Also some of the shrimp that the stores sell, (aka Freshwater Prawns), are sold as algae eaters, BUT they will not eat the algae just the fish. note I did not say fish food. They are a carnivorous species that when they get to adult size is about 14 to 18 inches, and even at a small size they will eat whatever fish they can catch. If you want an algae eating shrimp try to find the Japonica. its the only one I know of.

mts.gif" border="0"> I vote do you?
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Well, I personally wouldn't mind some Ottos, but as my GF has such an affinity for shrimp, I think we'll try for the amanos and hope for the best with the Black Skirts. They tend to be oblivious to most of the tank as they swim in the middle to upper regions alot of the time.