Shrimp Aquarium: Species, Conditions of Maintenance and Reproduction

A shrimp aquarium is an omnivorous crustacean that has great endurance. This species of inhabitants of the underwater world is so beautiful and graceful that more and more people are engaged in its reproduction every year. The unique shape and color of the shrimp of all colors of the rainbow make it the favorite of a home aquarium.

How they are arranged

The body of these crustaceans consists of several segments, each of which has its own limbs, intended for activities of various kinds. The first three parts are covered with a shell (it is a kind of protection) and are spliced with the head. Their limbs are mustaches, jaws and jaws.

The mouthpiece of the shrimp is very complex and has a fixed size. It consists of 3 pairs of jaws, grinding food, and jaws (the first three pairs of thoracic extremities) that hold it at the mouth. To catch the prey and crawl the shrimp use the remaining 5 pairs of thoracic extremities. For swimming and bearing calves (in females) they have so-called pleopods (abdominal legs). In males, their first pair was reborn as a copulatory organ.

Areal

In the wild, shrimp can be found in almost all saline and freshwater ponds in the world. And each species of these arthropods has its place of "birth". So, for example, the red-nosed shrimp lives in the rivers of Venezuela, where there is a large number of deciduous trees. In the waters of the Pacific coast of Panama, one can meet the American fan form of these crustaceans. A shrimp aquarium Amano in nature prefers the mountain rivers of Japan, flowing into the Pacific Ocean.

Content

Care for these inhabitants of the home underwater world is almost the same as for the rest of the invertebrate inhabitants. One of the most important rules for keeping them in an aquarium is to install an aerator in it, since for normal life they need oxygen.

Optimal degrees of water - from +15 to +30. It is noted that when the temperature is lowered to 18 ° C, the shrimp aquarium becomes inactive. But it's worth making water warmer, 26-30 degrees, as it again gets its activity. By the way, at sharp fluctuations of temperature these animals can be lost.

Aquarium shrimps, the contents of which do not require special effort, are unpretentious neither in water filtration, nor in the presence of light. Although both are necessary for a better growth of the plants that these crustaceans feed on. But it is worth considering that they are very sensitive to the chemical composition of water, and even with a small amount of chlorine in it, the shrimp will die. For the same reason in the room where the aquarium is installed, it is unacceptable to use air fresheners or other similar sprayers.

Food

Aquarium freshwater shrimps in food are unpretentious. Eat all. Bloodworm, Cyclops, water insects, dead plants (eg algae), daphnia and much more - all this is an excellent food for shrimp. Therefore, in the aquarium, where they are contained, it is necessary to plant a variety of living plants (pistil, hornwort, Javanese moss). To feed them it is necessary not more often than time in two days.

Shrimp Aquarium: Reproduction

The process of breeding these arthropods does not require any effort from man, nature does everything by itself. During the breeding season, the female generates a special substance, through which males learn about its "readiness". The mating process itself occurs quite quickly - no more than a second. Determine that the female is fertilized, simply - it has a peculiar saddle on its back (different species have different colors), inside of which is caviar. After a while, it moves under the abdomen, and in about 3-4 weeks fry appears. They start eating their parents' food immediately, so they do not need special care for them.

Attention! All of the above about shrimp breeding concerns only some species (for example, speshl, cherry). Many populations of these arthropods need special care during reproduction.

Features

Aquarium shrimps, the content of which, at first glance, is very simple, can bring a lot of trouble. So, for example, if you forget to close the aquarium at night, the crustaceans can escape from their home. And on land they are not tenants - they perish in a matter of minutes.

During transportation it is necessary to take care of the preservation of shrimp, as they can be injured against the walls of the vessel. To prevent this from happening, it is enough to put in it any plant for which they could grab in case.

When buying shrimp, do not immediately put them in a common aquarium. The fact is that most species of these crustaceans come to stores from the wild, respectively, they can be carriers of infections and parasites.

Increasing the temperature of water over 30 degrees can adversely affect shrimp. Therefore, in the summer, it is necessary to follow this parameter more carefully, strengthening the aeration of water.

Types of shrimp

Before buying these arthropods to your aquarium, it is worthwhile to sort out their types, otherwise problems may arise. For example, an aquarium shrimp, becoming an adult, may be too large or even worse - a predator.

Red crystal. Beautiful and non-aggressive shrimp with red stripes on a white background. Very whimsical in the content (pH of water from 6.2 to 6.8, temperature - up to 26 ° C, etc.), does not like overfeeding. Because of the closely related crossing, her body is slightly weaker than other species.

Harlequin. These shrimps are very small (up to 1.2 cm), have a red-white color and are very shy. Also a little whimsical to the quality of water - pH from 7.0, temperature - from 25 ° C. Reproduction without larval stage in fresh water. The time of gestation is up to a month, after which 10-15 tiny shrimp appear.

Amano. Light green arthropods with a light stripe on the back and brown spots on the sides. They are "aquarium cleaners", killing harmful algae and other plants. Quite peaceful with many kinds of fish. There are many problems in home breeding. For example, to produce offspring the female is deposited in a separate container (30 liters), where the water temperature is kept around 23 ° C, aeration is arranged, there is a lamp and a sponge filter. It should be noted that the main condition for the larvae is brackish water and a separate container, in which they must be moved 2-3 days after the birth.

Red-nosed. This is also a kind of "clean-up" of the reservoir. Such shrimps are aquarium, the species of which can be distinguished by their way of moving (they do not run, but swim), can live in fresh as well as in salted water. Their maximum size is 4 cm. They do not like the content in the pond where there are aggressive and predatory fish species. Have a pretty pretty color and nose in a red speck.

Red cherry. This type of shrimp is one of the most popular. This is in many respects due to their brightly shining red color and easiness of reproduction. Aquarium shrimp cherries are unpretentious to the content and feel great, even when the aquarium contains a huge number of their brethren. Males have a length of about 2 cm, which is much smaller than females (adult individual reaches 45 mm).

Compatibility of shrimp

Before buying these wonderful inhabitants of the aquarium, it is worth considering that many of the species can mate. As a result, an undefined type and color of shrimp will turn out, which, in general, is not very good. Therefore, it is worthwhile to take care of this in advance and buy only those species that can not have a common offspring. For a better understanding, we present you the table "Aquarium Shrimp: Compatibility".

Where "+" - pairing is possible, "-" pairing is impossible, "+ -" - not studied.

Aquarium shrimps: compatibility with fish

These arthropods lead a very secretive life. Which is not surprising. After all, shrimps are aquarium, the species of which are diverse, are very attractive as a food for a large number of inhabitants of the home underwater world. In the wild they are a very common source of food. In a natural environment, these arthropods have a nondescript color, due to which they are saved from death. Buying a red or bright yellow shrimp for your aquarium, it is worth preparing for the fact that over time it will lose its color. The reason for this will be its nightlife, to which it will pass after a while.

In order to save shrimp from death, it is worthwhile to identify them in those aquariums where non-aggressive fish with oral cavity are less than these arthropods. After all, if they fit "in size," then almost with a 100 percent guarantee will be absorbed. The most dangerous species of fish with which shrimp can not be shared:

• Cockerels;
• Swordsmen;
• Scalars;
• Fighters;
• Bottom fish;
• Pecilia;
• Gurus;
• Goldfish ;
• Viviparous carpsubs;
• Molenezii;
• Cichlids;
• Loaches.

Diseases

Shrimp, like other living things, can get sick. The most popular ailments of these arthropods include parasites. They settle on the shell, muscles, gills, heart and nerve plexus of shrimp. This is an extremely dangerous condition, as a result of which it dies.

The second major trouble is a fungal infection. It can also cause death of crustaceans, as it can suck all the nutrients from their body and poison it with their toxic substances.

Defeat shrimp and viral infections, which, unlike bacterial infections, are not amenable to treatment.