Hey there, fellow aquarium enthusiasts! I’ve been keeping grass shrimp for years, and I gotta tell you – these little transparent buddies are fascinating but can be tricky to maintain. Today, I’m gonna share everything I’ve learned about keeping grass shrimp alive and thriving. Let’s dive right in!
Quick Answer
Keep grass shrimp alive by maintaining water temperature between 68-78°F, pH 7.0-8.0, and providing plenty of hiding spots. Feed them a mix of plant and animal matter, and ensure good water quality through regular testing and changes.
Setting Up the Perfect Home for Your Grass Shrimp
Tank Size and Setup
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons (can hold 3-4 shrimp per gallon)
- Secure lid (these little jumpers might escape!)
- Fine sandy substrate or small gravel (under 5mm)
- Plenty of hiding spots:
- Live or artificial plants
- Driftwood
- Small caves
- Rocks
Essential Equipment
- Reliable filter (hang-on-back works great)
- LED aquarium light with timer
- Thermometer
- Water testing kit
- Air stone for oxygenation
Water Parameters – The Key to Success
Here’s what ya need to maintain
| Parameter | Ideal Range ||--------------|----------------|| Temperature | 68-78°F || pH | 7.0-8.0 || Ammonia | 0 ppm || Nitrites | 0 ppm || Nitrates | Below 20 ppm || Hardness | 5-12 dGH |Feeding Your Grass Shrimp
These little guys aren’t picky eaters, but variety is key! Here’s my feeding schedule:
Protein-rich Foods (2-3 times weekly)
- Live or freeze-dried brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Bloodworms
- Mosquito larvae
Plant-based Foods (2-3 times weekly)
- Spirulina flakes
- Blanched zucchini
- Spinach
- Algae wafers
Pro tip Only feed what they can eat in 5 minutes and remove uneaten food to keep water clean!
Maintenance Schedule
Daily Tasks
- Feed 1-2 times
- Check temperature
- Remove any uneaten food
Weekly Tasks
- 25% water change
- Test water parameters
- Clean filter if needed
- Check for any sick/dead shrimp
Storage Tips for Fishing Enthusiasts
If you’re catching grass shrimp for fishing, here’s how to keep ’em alive:
-
Cooler Method:
- Use a small styrofoam cooler
- Fill halfway with crushed ice
- Layer wet newspaper (about 30 pages) on top
- Keep shrimp cool but not frozen
-
Fridge Method:
- Store with marsh grass
- Keep them dry (no water!)
- Will last 1-2 days
- Ensure container has air holes
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Problem 1: Floating at Surface
- Usually means low oxygen
- Add air stone
- Increase surface agitation
- Check filter operation
Problem 2: White Spots
- Likely fungal infection
- Treat with methylene blue
- Improve water quality
- Check temperature stability
Problem 3: Sudden Deaths
- Test water immediately
- Do 50% water change
- Check for ammonia spikes
- Ensure proper temperature
Final Tips for Success
- Don’t overstock your tank
- Quarantine new shrimp for 2-4 weeks
- Choose peaceful tank mates
- Maintain consistent parameters
- Provide plenty of plant cover
Listen, keeping grass shrimp ain’t rocket science, but it does need attention to detail I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way (like that one time I forgot to dechlorinate the water – yikes!), but these tips should help you avoid the common pitfalls
Remember, consistency is key with these little guys. Keep their environment stable, their belly full, and their water clean, and they’ll reward you with endless entertainment as they scurry around your tank!
Got any questions about keeping grass shrimp? Drop ’em in the comments below – I’d love to help out fellow shrimp keepers!
Keep the water clean
As mentioned before, dead shrimp can “stink up” a tank with ammonia if they are allowed to remain and, unfortunately, kill more of your live shrimp.
The solution to keep shrimp alive here is simple: remove the dead shrimp, but don’t toss them overboard just yet!
You can keep those dead shrimp to use as chum or to tip soft plastic lures.
Just make a point of checking for them regularly to keep shrimp alive.
Oh, and there’s one more trick: you can leave the livewell lid cracked to help noxious gasses escape.
A neat trick is to use a tennis ball with a hole poked in it. It will hold the lid open but – if someone were to step on it – gives way and not cause the lid to break.
How to Keep Shrimp Alive
Nothing is worse than discovering all your bait died on your way to the honey hole. Here is how to keep shrimp alive to ensure those sea crickets keep kicking.
FOUR Simple Ways To Keep Shrimp Alive Longer
FAQ
How long do grass shrimp live?
Grass shrimp typically live for about one year. They are relatively short-lived compared to some other shrimp species, with a lifespan often ranging from 1 to 1.5 years.
What can you feed grass shrimp?
In the wild, shrimp feed primarily on algae, decaying plant matter, and biofilm. Captive shrimp will continue to eat these foods but will also accept algae wafers, shrimp pellets, and other commercial foods.
What kills lawn shrimp?
Lawn shrimp do not require chemical control, and no pesticide treatment is currently recommended. When soil conditions are too wet or dry, they will attempt to invade houses or swimming pools. They die quickly when stranded on high ground and can be vacuumed or swept and discarded.
How do you keep grass shrimp alive?
If you want to keep grass shrimp alive, it’s important to understand their needs. Grass shrimp behavior and their reproductive cycle play a crucial role in their overall well-being. These tiny crustaceans are highly adaptable and can be found in various aquatic habitats, such as salt marshes, estuaries, and tidal creeks.
How can I keep shrimp alive without a tank?
To keep shrimp alive without a tank, use a small ice cooler, about 1 foot wide by 2 feet long. Fill it half full of crushed ice. Wet about one section (30 pages) of newspaper with saltwater from the live shrimp tank and place it securely on top of the ice. Here’s how to keep your shrimp alive without a tank!
How long do grass shrimps live?
Male grass shrimps have ‘appendix masculina’ attached to their ‘appendix interna’ of the endopod of the second pair of pleopods! In captivity, grass shrimps live for 1 year or so. With the right parameters and diet, they might live to see another year, but that’s quite a stretch. Since they have a short lifespan, they also mature quite fast.
Can grass shrimp survive in water?
Make sure you’re closely monitoring water temperature and oxygen levels to troubleshoot any common issues with grass shrimp survival. Here are some factors to consider: Grass shrimp thrive in water temperatures between 68-77°F (20-25°C). Extreme fluctuations can cause stress and mortality.
How do you keep shrimp alive in a livewell?
If you are transporting live shrimp in your boat’s livewell from point to point, then ensure the water intakes are closed, so dirty river water doesn’t make it harder to keep shrimp alive. Otherwise, they are guaranteed to die! 5. Use a dip net Putting your hands in the live well can introduce harmful chemicals that won’t help keep shrimp alive.
How do you keep shrimp alive in a river?
That’s because it is easy to go from salty to straight river water in a flash. If you are transporting live shrimp in your boat’s livewell from point to point, then ensure the water intakes are closed, so dirty river water doesn’t make it harder to keep shrimp alive. Otherwise, they are guaranteed to die! 5. Use a dip net