Live feeder shrimp

[Bryan Thompson]

Does anyone have any information on the live feeder shrimp some of the wholesalers are offering now? What type of shrimp is it? What does it feed on? I am interested in them but do not want to introduce 1,000+ critters that will eat everything until eaten.

Thanks

Bryan

 

[danmhippo]

Palaemonetes vulgaris. Saltwater ghostshrimps
http://www.aquaculturestore.com/products.html

scroll down until you find saltwater invertibrates.

 

[Bryan Thompson]

Thank you.

Bryan

 

[tstone]

Danmhippo
Thanks for that link. How can these shrimp be induced to mulitply in a refugium? What do they eat?

I have an Anglerfish that loves them.

Tstone

 

[danmhippo]

These paticular ones are pretty much detrivores.....meaning they do not harass corals and fast moving fish. I feed them with all kinds of prepared foods, flakes, pellets, goldfish sticks, strips of fish, shrimps, even pods if they can get catch one or two. I find them carrying babies more if I drop temperatures temporarily to low 70's. This is a impossible task to do in most tanks. I wouldn't think trying to breed them worth the time and money, especially if these ghost shrimps are to be provided as occasional treats. If you can train your angler to feed on frozen food, it's a much better for their health in the long run to ensure they get all types of nutrients.

I typically buys 1000 of these per order to keep as stock to feed my seahorses and pipefish. Buying in quantity greatly reduces the cost. To keep them from canibalizing each other, you have to keep feeding them so no one is too hungry, or too weak. They are pretty hardy and can survive water temp from the low 60's to mid 80's. As long as they are fed regularly, they do not die until get eaten.

 

[dizzy]

danmhippo,

I have two questions. How are saltwater ghost shrimp different from fresh water ghost shrimp? Also are you sure this aquaculture store knows what they are doing? On page one of their site they talk about water hyacinth and show a picture of water lettus. The mistake is repeated. BTW water hyacinth are illegal to sell in several Southern states and I believe Florida is one of them.