Ghost Shrimp, also known as Glass Shrimp, are excellent scavengers. They are inexpensive and efficient aquarium cleaners that will actively search for any kind of left over food in your aquarium. Their transparent bodies and frenetic food-searching behavior make Ghost Shrimp an interesting addition to your freshwater aquarium.
The Ghost Shrimp body is transparent, and an orange to yellow colored spot is visible in the center of the tail. The body is segmented, and features ten sets of legs. The first four sets have tiny claws that aid the shrimp in feeding. Ghost Shrimp are relatively small invertebrates, reaching a maximum size of only 2".
An established freshwater aquarium of at least 10 gallons with plenty of hiding places and a mature substrate are the ideal setup for the Ghost Shrimp. It should be housed with small peaceful fish that will not pose a threat of eating these shrimp.
Ghost shrimp will readily breed in the aquarium if kept in large enough groups. The female carries the eggs, which appear as small green dots under the tail. If interested in raising the shrimp, remove the female to a different aquarium until the shrimp hatch. At that point, return the female back to the main aquarium and feed the baby shrimp newly hatched
brine shrimp,
rotifers, or a suitable
liquid food.
Ghost shrimp are an excellent food source for many types of both freshwater and saltwater fish. They are great for getting hard to feed fish such as seahorses, lionfish, grunts, and newly born sharks to begin feeding.
The Ghost Shrimp are omnivores and will consume algae, detritus and left over food. If insufficient food is present, supplement with a quality
flake food or
pellet.
Approximate Purchase Size: Large: 1/2" to 1"
Ghost Shrimp are guaranteed to arrive alive but are exempt from our extended guarantee after their arrival.
Testimonial By:
Testimonial:
Rebecca W. Atlanta, GA
I only have one of these shrimp but he is so much fun! He's very active but I've noticed nocturnal patterns so often I miss his busy hours. Small children love seeing him even though he's just one. I definitely need to get more and I recommend them to anybody else who needs to liven up their aquarium!
This species of shrimp is wonderful. If kept as part of an aquarium, they are incredibly interesting and will eat left over food and some types of algae! And the fish love them as a snack otherwise!
I have about 20 of these Ghost Shrimp. I got them as a new aquarium owner. They are VERY hardy. I went through algae problems, 100% water changes, my daughter put soap in the tank (killing all fish, but not the shrimp) and they all have survived. They have also hatched babies, without being separated, and now we have about 10 tiny shrimp, as well. They are fun to watch, my kids love to see them "walking on water" and they do! I have never purchased special food for them - the flake food and natural bottom food keeps them well fed as well as quite active!
We purchased three of these shrimp in hopes that they would help out with my daughter's overfeeding problem. I have to say, there is now no more flake floaters all over the bottom of the tank. As an added benefit, they are cool to watch because they will sometimes swim up to the top of the tank for food and you can watch them swallow the food and see it inside their bodies.
These are active little scavengers that make a great addition to any tank. You may want a couple for a boring slow aquarium, they won't harm slow fish, but never get just one!
If you're just setting up an aquarium, don't get these right away. Wait a little while for the aquarium to get algae, etc. Same for snails, catfish, etc.
These shrimp are suhweet! I have a 20 gallon livebearer(guppies, mollies, platies) and have 6 of the little shrimpies in there. The do a great job eating extra food and also eat algae that grows on the plants. It's cool to see them eat, you can see the food in their stomach. My water is hard, but they still do well!
