Listen, I’ve been breeding ghost shrimp for years, and lemme tell you – these little transparent creatures are fascinating to watch during their reproduction process! Whether you’re a newbie aquarist or experienced breeder, I’ll break down everything you need to know about ghost shrimp breeding in simple terms.
Quick Summary
Ghost shrimp reproduction is relatively straightforward:
- Females carry green eggs under their body for 2-3 weeks
- One female can produce up to 30 eggs per week
- Breeding occurs in freshwater (no brackish water needed)
- Baby shrimp (larvae) need separate rearing tank for best survival
What You’ll Need for Breeding
Main Breeding Tank Setup
- 5-10 gallon aquarium minimum
- Water temperature: 65-82°F
- pH level: 7.0-8.0
- Fine substrate (sand works best)
- Plenty of plants (especially Java moss)
- Hiding spots (rocks, driftwood)
- Sponge filter
Separate Rearing Tank
- Small tank or container (even a plastic tub works!)
- Lots of plants for baby shrimp to hide
- Gentle filtration (air stone or low-flow sponge filter)
- Aged/matured water
The Breeding Process Step-by-Step
1. Identifying Males and Females
Here’s how to tell them apart
- Females: Larger size, visible green “saddle” behind head
- Males: Smaller, more slender body
- Get at least 6-10 shrimp to ensure mixed gender group
2. The Mating Dance
When a female’s ready to breed
- She molts her shell
- Releases pheromones to attract males
- You’ll notice increased activity in tank
- Males will swim around frantically looking for female
3. Egg Development
After successful mating
- Eggs move from female’s “saddle” to under-body
- She’ll carry 20-30 eggs between her swimmerets
- Eggs appear greenish-yellow
- Mom constantly fans eggs for oxygen
- Development takes about 2 weeks
4. Caring for Berried Females
When you spot a “berried” female (carrying eggs):
- Transfer her to rearing tank after 1 week
- Maintain stable water conditions
- Provide plenty of hiding spots
- Feed normally but don’t overfeed
Raising the Babies (Larvae)
First 10 Days
Baby ghost shrimp start as tiny larvae:
- Almost invisible to naked eye
- Swim erratically
- Need very fine food particles
Food options for larvae:
- Crushed spirulina powder
- Infusoria
- Powdered fry food
- Natural biofilm from plants
After Metamorphosis
Around day 10-14:
- Eyes become more visible
- Swimming becomes controlled
- Back gets characteristic “hump”
- Can eat regular crushed shrimp food
Pro Tips from My Experience
-
Don’t Rush – Let your breeding tank mature for at least a month before adding shrimp
-
Plant Heavy – More plants = better survival rate for babies
-
Separate the Babies – Adult shrimp might eat their own young if kept together
-
Be Patient – Not every breeding attempt will succeed, and that’s okay!
Common Breeding Problems & Solutions
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Eggs falling off | Normal during first attempts, improve water quality |
| Low survival rate | Use separate rearing tank, increase hiding spots |
| No breeding | Check male/female ratio, adjust water parameters |
| Eggs turning white | Usually unfertilized, remove to prevent fungus |
Final Thoughts
Ghost shrimp breeding ain’t rocket science, but it does need some attention to detail. I’ve had my fair share of failed attempts before getting it right! The key is maintaining good water quality and providing proper care for both adults and babies.
Remember, these little transparent fellows are pretty forgiving, so don’t stress too much if things don’t work out perfectly the first time. Just keep at it, and before you know it, you’ll have a thriving colony of ghost shrimp!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this guide in more detail? I’d love to help make your ghost shrimp breeding journey successful! Drop your questions in the comments below.
Adding the Ghost Shrimp
- Ghost Shrimp can be kept in aquariums larger than 5 gallons. It is recommended to keep them in a species only aquarium. Ghost shrimp are small and defenseless, easily harassed and consumed by larger fish. Ensure the aquarium has been chemically tested and it is within the parameters listed above before adding the shrimp.
- Add the Ghost Shrimp from the plastic bag to a bowl. Use air-line tubing and a rubber band to create a siphon from the aquarium. Kink the tubing by placing the rubber band over a bent section of the tube. Adjust the kink to allow a slow drip of 1 drop of water per second exiting the tube. Let this drip into the bowl for the next 20-30 minutes and monitor carefully.
- After 20-30 minutes use a soft mesh net to transfer the Ghost Shrimp into the aquarium. Cover the net with one hand when moving the shrimp as they can jump and escape.
- Ghost Shrimp are hardy but can be affected by poor water quality. If a situation does arise check the water immediately. Perform a water change and try to identify the problem. If you have more than one aquarium move the Ghost Shrimp to a suitable temporary home. Even if the conditions are sub-optimal is often far better than leaving them in a toxic aquarium.
- Here is a link to a full guide to setting up a shrimp tank. Including setup instructions, cycling and choosing the correct hardscape in much greater detail.
- Ghost Shrimp are scavenger feeders and will accept a wide variety of foods. They are omnivorous and will naturally feed on brush algae and fallen food.
- Ghost Shrimp can be fed processed foods such as flakes & pellets. They are typically unfussy eaters. Ghost shrimp have a unique clear body, the food can be seen making its way through the digestive system. Ghost Shrimp will also eat boiled zucchini and soft vegetables. Vegetables provide the shrimp with necessary nutrients and are a low cost solution.
Ghost Shrimp as live feeders
- Ghost shrimp can be purposefully bred to feed to aquarium fish. Larger freshwater species including Oscars, Arowanas, Cichlids, Angelfish, Discus and Trigger Fish will benefit. Ghost shrimp are high in natural oils and fats, beneficial for coloration and development.
- Ghost Shrimp have much lower risk of carrying disease than other live feeder species. Feeder fish and blood worms can carry harmful parasites while Ghost shrimp are exempt as invertebrates.
- A separate aquarium should be set up to breed the Ghost Shrimp. Ghost Shrimp breed readily and can be farmed to be a sustainable weekly meal for the display tank. Further reading regarding breeding can be found below.
Ghost Shrimp Care, Breeding, WaterParameters, Tank Mates & Feeding.All you need to know! JR Aquarium
FAQ
Do ghost shrimp reproduce easily?
Ghost shrimp spawn readily—and often — in the aquarium.
How to tell if ghost shrimp are mating?
You’ll usually know this is happening because the entire tank seems to go a little crazy, with the shrimp zooming all over the place. After mating, the female moves the fertilized eggs from her “saddle” (the colored patch behind the head) to her pleopods (back legs).
How do you tell if a ghost shrimp is male or female?
Sexing[edit]
Ghost shrimp can be sexed in a number of key ways. Females have a green saddle that runs along the underside of their belly while males do not.
Are ghost shrimp asexual?
No, ghost shrimp are not asexual. They reproduce sexually, with males and females.
Do ghost shrimp need brackish water to reproduce?
One important point we’d like to get out of the way before we start: ghost shrimp don’t require brackish (half fresh, half marine) water to reproduce. It’s easy to see where the “brackish myth” came from, as there’s a shrimp species that looks quite similar to ghost shrimp whose babies do need brackish water to survive.
How do ghost shrimp breed?
Most shrimp breed in a similar manner, and ghosts are no exception. Once the female is ready to mate, she’ll molt and release pheromones that attract the males. You’ll usually know this is happening because the entire tank seems to go a little crazy, with the shrimp zooming all over the place.
How long does it take ghost shrimp to hatch?
Berried or egg-laden females lay millions of eggs, which normally take 30-45 days to hatch. The following need constant monitoring to ensure successful ghost shrimp breeding: The required water temperature is between 20°C and 27°C (~65°F and 80°F). Higher or lower than this temperature range can cause stress and death to the shrimp.
How long does it take ghost shrimp to grow?
It normally takes 5 to 6 weeks for newly hatched ghost shrimp to develop into fully grown adults. When they have already reached this stage, you need to transfer them to the larger tank. This is to prevent them from eating eggs, larvae, and younger batches of juvenile shrimps in the breeding tank.
Do ghost shrimp breed fast?
If the shrimp are kept in a comfortable environment with no predators, they can breed rapidly. Keep male and female ghost shrimp in a tank with hiding spots and plants so they stay healthy. When you see female ghost shrimp with eggs by its back legs, transfer it to a separate tank until they hatch.
Can ghost shrimp mate with other fish?
As for tank mates to avoid, you should avoid pairing them with any aggressive fish no matter what. As a good rule of thumb, don’t put ghost shrimp in the same tank as larger fish that feed off live food and are big enough to consume the shrimp. They’ll immediately go after your precious shrimp, so keep the tank as peaceful as possible.