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Hi guys !

I want to make my 10 gal fry tank more interesting..

So far there are some live plants (low light), 3 Otos,
guppy and platy fry and an abundance of green algae...
Would Ghost Shrimps be a good addition ? How many could I add ? Will they eat the bits of algae from the gravel as well as graze some off the plants ? (fuzzy green algae)

I'll be adding some small bits of driftwood too with some javas tied to them, and some rounded river rocks. There's some baby Javas planted direct into the gravel since it's shallow only about 1 cm deep also. Would the shrimp be happy here ?

The ph is 8 and the water is on the hard side...
Awaiting your thoughts


The Amazon Nut...

Ghost shrimp would work very well. Is your water on the hard side as well as alkaline? If it is, you won't have to add a calcium supplement. Get some reef iodine. They need it to molt. Add one drop per 5gal. For extra calcium, feed them Hikari Crab Cuisine. They need the calcium to harden their new shells. Add some hiding places for them, you're all set. They also like bloodworms.

Kim

Thanks Kim, it's going to be so cool adding the shrimp in there, I can't wait ! I'll look for the items you suggest.. I just got some freeze-dried bloodworms today for my fish too, will shrimp take freeze dried ?



The Amazon Nut...

my shrimps molt and I don't add Iodine

Ghost Shrimp won't do anything for the algae (they don't eat algae). Amano Shrimps do and as for the number...4-8 shrimps would be fine. They're best at eating algae in huge numbers (dozens) though.

Mine only go for frozen. I'm sure live would be great.
About the iodine, how long have your shrimp lived in that tank? I've found and others have told me that it greatly increases their lifespans. It's very cheap since you only use one drop per 5gal.

Kim

sounds like a good idea! I don't do anything special for mine, they've been around for almost a year, but they are very timid, and I don't see them often.

The Otos aren't getting even close to all the algae..
Just need something to pick the algae bits from the gravel and some off the plants.. And add some entertainment value to the tank in the process.. (I'm asking too much, I know)Maybe Amano Shrimp are what I need, but aren't they expensive ?

The Amazon Nut...

Mine were $2.99US.

Kim

Thanks

The Amazon Nut...

if your water is hard but acidic, can ghost shrimp still thrive? and would the iodine treatment still work then?

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

Mine is alkaline.. Kim or Gup will know..

I'm debating now on getting the amano shrimp.. Basic purpose of my tank for fry.. If the fry get sick, I think I'd have to use a completely different line of meds to protect the shrimp.

The Amazon Nut...

To harden your water, you can get some liquid calcium. Dose, then test it and repeat.

Kim