A Guide to Caring for Ghost Shrimp

Ghost shrimp are 1 to 2-inch long translucent freshwater crustaceans. This translucency, especially in the carapace area, makes their internal processes visible. They are omnivorous scavengers that tend to hang out at the bottom of tanks and feed non-discriminately on a variety of material. Although somewhat fragile, ghost shrimp are relatively easy to care for.

Tank Requirements

Ghost shrimp should be acclimated to tank conditions, then put in a small 5 to 10-gallon or larger freshwater tank, which you can purchase from a trusted aquarium supplier such as Aquatic Warehouse. This species of freshwater shrimp does best when the tank is generously supplied with living plants such as hornwort or a variety of moss. The shrimp will feed off the plants as they shed matter, as well as use them as hiding places, especially when molting. They can also be utilized for eating nuisance algae. Additionally, rocks and decorations can be added to provide supplemental hiding places. Tanks should contain sand or fine gravel the shrimp can comfortably rest on without injury, particularly to their sensitive antennae. 

Water should be maintained between 65 to 82º F, at a pH between 7 to 8 and be somewhat on the hard side. The water should be checked for ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels. Sponge filters, canister filtration, or hang-on-the-back filters for larger tanks can keep these toxins in check. The tank water should also be changed out regularly. If medications are added to the water (which is always a last resort only), avoid any with copper because it’s toxic to shrimp.

Feeding

Ghost shrimp aren’t fussy eaters and can consume typical fish food such as pellets, flakes, and algae wafers. In addition, being efficient scavengers they can supplement their diet with plant detritus as well as any algae present in the tank. Calcium supplements can be added to maintain healthy shells.

Companions

Since ghost shrimp are temperamentally mild, they need to be mingled with small non-aggressive fish. Some amenable companions include small catfish, danios, tetras, endlers, and other small peaceful fish varieties. Additionally, other shrimp would be able to peacefully coexist with ghost shrimp.

Breeding

It’s recommended that a separate tank be used for breeding because every fish species loves small fish to dine on. Male and female ghost shrimp should be put into the breeding tank. The females are significantly larger than the males and can be further distinguished by the green saddle on the underside of their bodies. When the females produce eggs, they deposit them on their legs where they appear as small green specks. The male fertilizes the eggs, which then detach from the female’s legs. As the larvae grow they should be fed with fine particulate food because their mouths are very small. When the offspring start growing legs, they can be fed the same food as the adults and transferred to the main tank. The entire process takes about 5 weeks.

If you have additional questions about caring for ghost shrimp or our many varieties of exotic specialty freshwater shrimp, please reach out to Aquatic Warehouse. We carry a wide array of supplies that are necessary for keeping aquarium environments running smoothly, whether you need an aquarium dosing pump or LED lighting. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, or give us call at 858-467-9297.