Ever wondered about those see-through little critters swimming in aquarium tanks? Well, let me introduce you to ghost shrimp – nature’s tiny window cleaners! As an aquarium enthusiast who’s kept these fascinating creatures for years, I’m excited to share everything you need to know about these transparent tank dwellers.
What Are Ghost Shrimp?
Ghost shrimp (Palaemon paludosus) are small freshwater shrimp native to North American waters. Their most striking feature? They’re completely transparent! This isn’t just for show – it’s actually a clever survival trick that helps them hide from predators in the wild.
Key Features:
- Size: Usually 1-1.5 inches long when fully grown
- Lifespan: About 1 year
- Color: Transparent with visible internal organs
- Native Habitat: Freshwater lakes and streams in southeastern United States
Why Keep Ghost Shrimp?
Let me tell you why these little guys are awesome:
-
Natural Tank Cleaners
- Eat algae and leftover food
- Help maintain tank cleanliness
- Reduce maintenance work
-
Budget-Friendly
- Typically cost less than $1 each
- Low maintenance requirements
- Cheap to feed
-
Perfect for Beginners
- Hardy and adaptable
- Easy to care for
- Great starter aquarium pet
Ghost Shrimp Care Guide
Tank Requirements
Here’s what your ghost shrimp need to thrive
| Requirement | Recommended Range |
|---|---|
| Tank Size | Minimum 5 gallons |
| Temperature | 65-82°F |
| pH Level | 7.0-8.0 |
| Water Hardness | 3.72-6.75 dKH |
| Shrimp per Gallon | 3-4 |
Setting Up Their Home
Your ghost shrimp will need
- Fine sandy substrate (avoid large gravel!)
- Live plants like Java moss or hornwort
- Hiding spots (rocks, driftwood, decorations)
- Basic filtration system
- Standard aquarium lighting
Feeding Your Ghost Shrimp
These little guys aren’t picky eaters! They’ll munch on
- Algae in your tank
- Fish food leftovers
- Commercial shrimp pellets
- Small pieces of vegetables
- Decaying plant matter
Pro tip: Don’t overfeed! A tiny pinch of food every other day is plenty for a small group.
Behavior and Tank Mates
Ghost shrimp are peaceful creatures that spend most of their time:
- Scavenging the tank bottom
- Hiding among plants
- Cleaning algae off surfaces
- Swimming casually around their territory
Good Tank Mates:
- Small peaceful fish (tetras, small barbs)
- Other shrimp species
- Snails
- Kuhli loaches
- Cory catfish
Bad Tank Mates:
- Aggressive fish
- Large fish
- Most bettas (they might see shrimp as snacks!)
Breeding Ghost Shrimp
Breeding these little guys is pretty straightforward. Here’s what happens:
- Female develops green eggs
- Eggs get fertilized by male
- Female carries eggs on her legs
- Eggs hatch in about 3 weeks
- Baby shrimp need separate tank initially
Important: Keep babies separated from adults until they’re bigger – adults might snack on them!
Common Health Issues
While ghost shrimp are generally hardy, watch out for:
- Vorticella (looks like white mold)
- Bacterial infections (pink swollen spots)
- Shell problems after molting
Tips for Success
- Keep water parameters stable
- Provide plenty of hiding spots
- Avoid copper-based medications
- Perform regular water changes
- Don’t overcrowd the tank
Final Thoughts
Ghost shrimp are amazing little creatures that can make your aquarium more interesting and cleaner! They’re perfect for beginners and experienced aquarists alike. We’ve kept them in our tanks for years and still get excited watching their transparent bodies zip around.
If you’re thinking about getting some ghost shrimp, go for it! They’re cheap, easy to care for, and super helpful in keeping your tank clean. Just remember to give them proper care and suitable tank mates, and they’ll be happy little janitors in your aquatic world!
Got any questions about ghost shrimp? Drop them in the comments below – we’d love to help you out!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article further?
Ghost Shrimp Behavior, Upclose: 30 Second Video
Ghost Shrimp care is relatively easy. They are very active and busy invertebrates tirelessly scouring the tank for food to eat. Always on the go, these shrimp are in their element when kept in an established tank that is not “too clean”. As scavengers, they search the gravel or substrate for little bits of edible material that is otherwise uneaten. To that extent, Ghost Shrimp are decent aquarium cleaners, almost in the same league as Amano Shrimp and Nerite Snails. Ghost Shrimp are small so they may not eat as much as larger invertebrates, but they are constantly picking away at nearly everything they are near.
Ghost Shrimp Food, Size & Color Range
Ghost Shrimp food is broad as they will eat almost anything. They are great pickers and will eat like machines. Ghost Shrimp food can include some forms of algae, dead plant latter and detritus. These shrimp love fish or shrimp pellets, fish flakes, algae wafers or bits otherwise uneaten food. And its a good idea to find food supplements with Calcium, as Calcium is necessary for healthy shell growth. Ghost Shrimp food may also include their fallen tank mates, as they will even feed off dead fish or dead shrimp. Of course, it’s important to take dead inhabitants out of the water quickly otherwise there can be an ammonia spike in the tank. It’s fun to watch Ghost Shrimp swim up and pluck bits of food out of the water. And there is a pecking order with feeding as well. Bigger shrimp eat first.
Ghost Shrimp Info And Care | Ghost Shrimp Care Guide!
FAQ
Are ghost shrimp actually shrimp?
Ghost shrimp are appropriately named because they are totally transparent. Despite their shrimp-like appearance, they are actually more closely related to crabs. Four distinct species of Ghost shrimp have been identified as inhabiting the waters of the Gulf of America.
Why are ghost shrimp a problem?
Ghost Shrimp are small creatures but they contribute to the bio-load of a tank just like other living organisms. Overstocking a small tank with lots of shrimp will cause water quality issues and can create an unhealthy environment.
Are ghost shrimp good to eat?