Aquarium shrimp come in many different size. The size of an aquarium shrimp will determine how you must care for that aquarium shrimp. An aquarium shrimp that is very small has different behavior and requires different water condition different than an aquarium shrimp that is very large.
By understanding the difference in size among shrimp species, you can avoid common problems with you’re aquarium shrimp. The chart display the different sizes of different aquarium shrimp species. The chart shows the differences in sizes so that you can select the correct species of shrimp for your aquarium.
How Shrimp Size Affects Care
Some shrimp species will remain small throughout there lives, and other shrimp species will grow to become quite large. You can use the chart to compare the different shrimp species quick, without reading multiple care sheets for each species of shrimp. The size of the shrimp will also determine the amount of attention that the shrimp will require to thrives in the aquarium.
Small shrimp species will be more sensitive to change in the water chemistry of the aquarium, and the water will need to be kept very clean. Large shrimp species may be more forgiving of fluctuations in the water chemistry, but they require much larger tank to keep them, as well as more powerful filtration system to maintain their water conditions. Beginners often choose shrimp species that is bright red in color.
Bright red shrimp are hardy species and tend to breed easy. Bright red shrimp reach a moderate size, so they are best suited to 5 gallon or 10 gallon tank. Another species that beginners can care for easy are ghost shrimp.
Ghost shrimp have transparent bodies, and stay small in number, so small tank can contain numerous ghost shrimp. For these reason, both bright red shrimp and ghost shrimp are recommended for beginners to own. Some shrimp species have striking colors.
However, the colorful shrimp require water that is cooler in temperature, and have a lower pH value. If you choose to purchase colorful shrimp, you will need to use reverse osmosis water for the tank, and regularly test the water. Colorful shrimp will die if the condition are not maintained in their aquarium water.
The chart displays the requirements of each of these colorful shrimp species for you to read, so that you can make an informed decision about caring for these shrimp. The volume of the aquarium tank is important in determining the health of the shrimp species in the tank. Small tank are sufficient for small shrimp species and a small number of shrimp of any size.
However, the small tank is not sufficient for large shrimp or many shrimp species. Adding too many shrimp to a tank can lead to overcrowding. Overcrowding can lead to stress for the shrimp, and shrimp that is stressed will grow slow, and may experience failed molt.
Thus, providing the shrimp with the appropriate amount of space in the tank is important to their health. Aquarium shrimp grow by molting. Molting is when the shrimp shed its old shell, and grows a new shell.
During the process of molting, the shrimp is vulnerable. During this time, the shrimp require access to both mineral and clean water. Small shrimp reach the size necessary to breed quick, but it can take more time for the larger shrimp to reach the necessary size.
The feeding requirement for shrimp changes according to the size of the shrimp. All shrimp are scavengers for food in the aquarium. However, the large shrimp require more food than small shrimp species.
Small shrimp eat at the wall of the tanks for food (biofilm), while large shrimp may require supplemental food like vegetable or leaves. Additionally, some of the larger shrimp species are filter feeders, and require some movement in the water to expose their feeding appendage to food. Providing the proper type of food to the shrimp is important for the shrimps health, as improper feeding can lead to both underfeeding of the shrimp, and water quality problem due to overfeeding the shrimp.
Your decision of which shrimp to keep in your aquarium will depend upon whether you want shrimp that require little maintenance in their care, or shrimp that are colorful and require high maintenance to maintain their life. If you would like shrimp that are easy to care for and that breed often in the aquarium, the smaller shrimp species will be the best choice for your tank. If you would like colorful shrimp in your aquarium, you will need to be willing to provide high maintenance to the water parameter in which they live.
The chart displays all the shrimp species that are available for aquarium owner, so that you can select the shrimp that best match the size of your aquarium, and the schedule with which you can take care of your tank. By understanding each of these factor related to shrimp care, you will be successful in adding shrimp to your tank.
