Hey there! I’m an experienced aquarium enthusiast, and I’ve kept various types of shrimp for years. Today, I’m gonna share everything you need to know about keeping shrimp as pets. Spoiler alert – they’re actually pretty easy to care for once you understand the basics!
Quick Answer
Yes, shrimp are generally easy to take care of, especially species like Red Cherry Shrimp and Ghost Shrimp. They need basic tank maintenance, proper water parameters, and simple feeding routines Perfect for beginners!
Why Shrimp Make Great First-Time Pets
Let me tell you why I love keeping shrimp:
- Low maintenance – They don’t need daily attention
- Space efficient – Can thrive in smaller tanks (5-10 gallons)
- Affordable – Most beginner-friendly species cost $2-5 each
- Peaceful – Get along well with most tank mates
- Natural cleaners – Help keep your tank clean by eating algae
- Fun to watch – Active and interesting behaviors
Easiest Shrimp Species for Beginners
Here are my top recommendations for first-time shrimp keepers
-
Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
- Cost: $2-3 each
- Size: 1-1.4 inches
- Lifespan: 1-2 years
- Perfect starter shrimp!
-
Ghost Shrimp
- Cost: $1-3 each
- Size: 1.5 inches
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Super hardy and transparent
-
Amano Shrimp
- Cost: $3-5 each
- Size: Up to 2 inches
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
- Best algae eaters
Basic Care Requirements
Tank Setup
Here’s what you’ll need
- Tank size: Minimum 5 gallons (10 gallons is better)
- Temperature: 65-80°F (depends on species)
- Plants: Live plants provide food and shelter
- Substrate: Any aquarium-safe substrate
- Filter: Small sponge filter works great
Water Parameters
Most shrimp need these conditions:
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| GH | 4-8 |
| KH | 0-4 |
| Temperature | 70-78°F |
Feeding
Shrimp are not picky eaters! Here’s what they like:
- Algae (they’ll eat it naturally in your tank)
- Commercial shrimp food
- Blanched vegetables
- Fish food (occasionally)
- Biofilm that grows on surfaces
Feed small amounts 2-3 times per week. They’re great scavengers!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Overfeeding
- Can pollute water quickly
- Remove uneaten food after 2 hours
-
Sudden Water Changes
- Shrimp hate dramatic changes
- Do small, regular water changes instead
-
Wrong Tank Mates
- Avoid large or aggressive fish
- They’ll eat your shrimp!
-
Using Copper
- Copper is toxic to shrimp
- Check medications and fertilizers
Population Management
Starting out right:
- Begin with 10+ shrimp
- They’re social creatures
- This helps them feel secure
- Better breeding chances
- Maximum 10-15 shrimp per 5 gallons
Tips for Success
-
Cycle Your Tank First
- Wait 4-6 weeks before adding shrimp
- Test water parameters regularly
-
Add Plants
- Provides food sources
- Creates hiding places
- Helps maintain water quality
-
Start Simple
- Begin with hardy species
- Master basics before trying sensitive species
- Red Cherry Shrimp are perfect starters
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Swimming Erratically?
- Usually means water parameters are off
- Check ammonia and nitrite levels
- Do a small water change
Not Seeing Them Much?
- Probably hiding
- Add more plants or hiding spots
- Check if there are predators
Deaths After Purchase?
- Likely acclimation stress
- Drip acclimate for 1-2 hours next time
- Match water parameters closely
Final Thoughts
Honestly, keeping shrimp isn’t rocket science! They’re pretty forgiving pets as long as you maintain stable water conditions and don’t overfeed them. I started with Red Cherry Shrimp years ago and now keep multiple species.
If you’re thinking about getting into the hobby, just start with the basics:
- Get a small established tank
- Add some plants
- Choose hardy shrimp species
- Keep water parameters stable
- Feed sparingly
Trust me, you’ll be a shrimp pro in no time!
Have any questions about keeping shrimp? Drop them in the comments below – I’d love to help!
Neos, You are the Chosen One
Hardy, adaptable, and prolific, Neocaridina Davidi (aka the dwarf cherry shrimp) are an ideal choice for any aquarist interested in shrimp, especially beginners. There are many color variations, including, red, blue, black, and green; having been painstakingly bred to express these colors, it is inadvisable to keep multiple colors in the same tank. They will indiscriminately mate, and the offspring will often be a drab brown or clear color. My favorites are the “blue dream” and “black rose” varieties.
When purchasing shrimp, please keep in mind that they are social animals, and they do best in large groups of at least ten individuals. Any less than this and they will tend to hide, rather than graze as a group out in the open. I frequently see beginners make the mistake of buying just a couple shrimp for their community tank, then complaining that they never see the shrimp.
Large or aggressive fish are not suitable tankmates for shrimp. Barbs, bettas and many others will often bully or harass the shrimp, or else straight up eat the shrimp for dinner. Your best bet is a shrimp only aquarium, or else a tank with small, peaceful fish (such as ember tetras or corydoras), lots of vegetation, and a decent water volume.
Shrimp are Friends, Not Food!
As rewarding as fish can be to keep, sometimes more variety is needed. As you may have guessed by my Instagram handle (@shrimpery), I am a big fan of keeping freshwater shrimp as pets. In fact, they are what introduced me to the aquarium hobby! Here is a brief primer on how to go about keeping these friendly, colorful and prolific animals in your own tank.
First things first: the species of shrimp you select will determine how easy it is to keep and breed. I break down the selection into three categories-
In addition to being the species that I keep, Neocaridina is the easiest and cheapest to purchase of the three, and they will be the focus of this guide.
Everything You Should Know Before You Get Shrimp! 7 Tips for Keeping Shrimp in an Aquarium
FAQ
Are shrimp high maintenance?
Despite being easier to keep than fish, pet shrimp require specific water parameters and can be very sensitive to changes. As such, they can be considered high maintenance creatures!
How hard is it to keep shrimp alive?
Shrimp are easier to keep than fish in many ways, but they are much more sensitive to changes in their water chemistry.
Are shrimp hard to keep as pets?
Shrimp are not for the beginner. They need a well-established tank that has a lot of algae and/or plant growth. They also need well established filters which have not been cleaned in months. They need bacteria free water. And they need careful VERY LIGHT feeding.
Will shrimp keep my tank clean?
Shrimp are detritivores, meaning they only eat dead or dying things. Therefore, if you have already started reducing light or nutrients to kill off/reduce algae, then shrimp quickly clean up the dying plant matter.