Baby Shrimp

Bac Lieu: Good crop of baby shrimp

2012-06-12T08:06:00.001+07:00

Bac Lieu: Good crop of baby shrimp

Dried Baby Shrimp

Fishermen in Bac Lieu province are very excited as the crop of baby shrimp has never been good and last for long time as this year.

With the price 4,000 VND/kg of raw baby shrimp, after deduct all expenses, fishermen in this province profits over VND 100 million everyday.

Currently, everyday there are over 100 fishing gears expoit baby shrimp in coastal area, employs hundreds of local workers.

Season of baby shrimp came quite late this year, but volume is very big, in average each fishing gear profits from 3 – 5 million VND/day, particularly some fishing gears can earn nearly 10 million VND/day.

Salted Baby Shrimp

Since baby shrimp has good price while investment is low but brings high profit, many fishing gears which are catching other species changed to exploit baby shrimp. According to baby shrimp collectors, the increase of baby shrimp these days was due to the high demand of this product in Korea, Japan and China market.

Baby Shrimp (Acetes)

According to fishermen, at present the weather is very good for catching baby shrimp, according to the observation of fishermen, the reserves of baby shrimp is still very big and can last for 5 to 10 days more.

Live Baby Shrimp

Not only having good crop of baby shrimp, fishermen in Bac Lieu also had good crop of fish and shrimp while selling price is stable and investment is low, almost fishermen have benefit, it make them feel excited to go fishing.

Souce: Vietnam News Agency

Hymenocera

2012-05-31T09:18:00.000+07:00

Hymenocera

Hymenocera picta

Hymenocera Picta Shrimp

Hymenocera picta, commonly known as the harlequin shrimp, is a species of saltwater shrimp found at coral reefs in the tropical Indian and Pacificoceans. It is usually considered the only species in the genus Hymenocera,^[1]^[2] but some split it into two species: H. picta from the central and east Pacific where the spots are deep pinkish-purple with a yellow edge, and H. elegans from the Indian Ocean and west Pacific where the spots are more brownish and have a blue edge.^[3]

Hymenocera Picta Shrimp

They reach about 5 centimetres (2.0 in) in length, live in pairs and feed exclusively on starfish,^[3] including crown-of-thorns starfish.

Hymenocera Picta Shrimp

It does seem to prefer smaller, more sedentary starfish, but as these generally are not sufficiently numerous for its needs, it commonly will attack Acanthaster, both reducing its consumption of coral while under attack, and killing it within a few days.^[4]

Hymenocera Picta Shrimp

External links

Video of an Adult and juvenile harlequin shrimp hosted by Youtube

References

^ Sammy De Grave (2010). "Hymenocera Latreille, 1819". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved August 7, 2011.

^ Sammy De Grave, N. Dean Pentcheff, Shane T. Ahyong et al. (2009). "A classification of living and fossil genera of decapod crustaceans".Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Suppl. 21: 1–109.

^ ^a ^b Debelius, H. (2001). Crustacea: Guide to the World. Pp. 198-199.ISBN 978-3-931702-74-8

^ Glynn, P.W., Interactions between Acanthaster and Hymenocera in the field and laboratory. In: D.L. Taylor (ed.) Proceedings of Third International Coral Reef Symposium Vol. 1: Biology. Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, Florida. pp. 209-216. 1977

Hymenocera picta

Harlequin shrimp of Indian Ocean/West Pacific population
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Infraorder:	Caridea
Family:	Hymenoceridae
Genus:	Hymenocera Latreille, 1819
Species:	H. picta
Binomial name
*Hymenocera picta* Dana, 1852
Synonyms
Hymenocera elegans Heller, 1861

Source Hymenocera

Metapenaeus ensis

2012-05-29T23:08:00.000+07:00

Metapenaeus ensis

Metapenaeus ensis (sometimes called the greasyback shrimp or sand shrimp) is a species of prawn.^[2]^[3]

References

^ Sammy De Grave (2010). "Metapenaeus ensis (De Haan, 1844)". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
^ Jesse D. Ronquillo & Toshio Saisho (1993). "Early developmental stages of greasyback shrimp, Metapenaeus ensis (de Haan, 1844) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Penaeidae)". Journal of Plankton Research 15 (10): 1177–1206.doi:10.1093/plankt/15.10.1177.
^ Pei-Li Gu and Siu-Ming Chan. "Cloning of a cDNA encoding a putative molt-inhibiting hormone from the eyestalk of the sand shrimp Metapenaeus ensis". Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology 7 (3): 214–220.PMID 9701616.

Metapenaeus ensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Family:	Penaeidae
Genus:	Metapenaeus
Species:	M. ensis
Binomial name
*Metapenaeus ensis* (De Haan, 1844)
Synonyms ^[1]
Metapenaeus mastersii Hall, 1962

Penaeus Merguiensis (Family: Penaeidue)

2012-05-29T23:01:00.000+07:00

Penaeus Merguiensis

Scientific Name: Penaeus Merguiensis (Family: Penaeidue)

English: Banana prawn

French: Crevette banane

Spanish: Camarón banana

Commercial Names:

Australia: Banana prawn; White prawn
Japan: Tenjikuebi; Bananaebi
Malaysia: Udang kaki merah; Udang pasir
Iran : Banana Shrimp , Brow tiger shrimp
Pakistan: Jaira; Jiaro (both names used for other species also)
Philippines: Hipon buti (name also used for other species)
Thailand: Kung chaebauy

Size: This prawn reaches up to 240 mm

Distribution: This widely distributed and important Indo-West Pacific species lives in shallow water between 10 and 45 meters on muddy bottoms. Juveniles are estuarine, adults mostly marine. The species ranges from the Persian Gulf and Pakistan through the Malay Archipelago and South China Sea to Australia, where it is found from Western Australia all the way around the north coast to northern New South Wales.

Penaeus Merguiensis

Comments: Commercially this is one of the most important species of this large region. Similar to P. indicus, the Indian white shrimp, and for commercial purposes effectively a white shrimp, the banana shrimp is most important in Australia, especially in Queens land and increasingly important in Western Australia. It is the main species raised in pond culture in Thailand and is an important catch in Malaya and the Philippines. This is a good quality shrimp with firm meat and a fine flavor. Japan imports peeled, higher count banana prawns in large quantities.

Source Penaeus Merguiensis

Pandalus borealis

2012-05-29T22:43:00.000+07:00

Pandalus borealis

Pandalus borealis is a species of shrimp found in cold parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Many different common names are used, including pink shrimp, deepwater prawn, deep-sea prawn, great northern prawn, crevette nordique and northern shrimp.^[1]

Pandalus borealis

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Infraorder:	Caridea
Family:	Pandalidae
Genus:	Pandalus
Species:	P. borealis
Binomial name
*Pandalus borealis* Krøyer, 1838

Distribution

P. borealis lives at depths of 20–1,330 m (66–4,360 ft), usually on soft muddy bottoms,^[1] in waters with a temperature of 2–14 °C (36–57 °F). The distribution of the nominate subspecies P. b. borealis in the Atlantic ranges from New England, Canada's eastern seaboard (off Newfoundland and Labrador and eastern Baffin Island in Nunavut), southern and eastern Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, Norway and the North Sea as far south as theEnglish Channel. In the Pacific, P. b. eous is found from Japan, through the Sea of Okhotsk, across the Bering Strait, and as far south in North Americaas Washington state.

Physiology

In their 8 year lifespan,^[2] males can reach a length of 120 mm (4.7 in), while females can reach 165 mm (6.5 in) long.^[1]

The shrimp are hermaphroditic. They start out male, but after year or two, their testicles turn to ovaries and they complete their lives as females.^[2]

Uses by humans

P. borealis is an important food resource, and has been widely fished since the early 1900s in Norway, and later in other countries following Johan Hjort'spractical discoveries of how to locate them. In Canada, these shrimp are sold peeled, cooked and frozen in bags in supermarkets, and are consumed as appetizers.

Shrimp alkaline phosphatase (SAP), an enzyme used in molecular biology, is obtained from Pandalus borealis. The species' carapace is a source ofchitosan, a versatile chemical used for such different applications as treating bleeding wounds, filtering wine or improving the soil in organic farming.

Management

Northern shrimp have a short life, which contributes to a variable stock on a yearly basis. However, the species is not considered overfished due to a large amount reported and a large amount harvested.

In Canada, the annual harvest limit is set to 164,000 tonnes (2008).^[2] The Canadian fishery began in the 1980s and expanded in 1990s.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Pandalus borealis (Krøyer, 1838)". Species Fact Sheet. Food and Agriculture Organization. Retrieved November 2, 2010.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Guide to Responsible Sourcing Guide. Cold-water prawns". Seafish. April 2007. Retrieved November 2, 2010.

External links

Media related to Pandalus borealis at Wikimedia Commons

Penaeus monodon

2012-05-29T22:36:00.000+07:00

Penaeus monodon

Penaeus monodon, the giant tiger prawn (and also known by other common names), is a marine crustacean that is widely reared for food.

Penaeus monodon

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Suborder:	Dendrobranchiata
Family:	Penaeidae
Genus:	Penaeus
Species:	P. monodon
Binomial name
*Penaeus monodon* Fabricius, 1798
Synonyms ^[1]
Penaeus carinatus Dana, 1852 Penaeus tahitensis Heller, 1862 Penaeus coeruleus Stebbing, 1905 Penaeus bubulus Kubo, 1949

Distribution

Its natural distribution is the Indo-West-Pacific, ranging from the eastern coast of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, as far as Southeast Asia, the Sea of Japan and northern Australia.^[2]

It is an invasive species in the northern waters of the Gulf of Mexico.^[3]^[4]

Description

Females can reach approximately 33 centimetres (13 in) long, but are typically 25–30 cm (10–12 in) long and weight 200–320 grams (7–11 oz); males are slightly smaller at 20–25 cm (8–10 in) long and weighing 100–170 g (3.5–6.0 oz).^[5]

Aquaculture

Penaeus monodon is the most widely cultured prawn species in the world, although it is gradually losing ground to the whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei.^[5] In 2009, 770,000 tonnes was produced, with a total value of US$3,650,000,000.^[5]

Sustainable consumption

In 2010, Greenpeace added Penaeus monodon to its seafood red list – "a list of fish that are commonly sold in supermarkets around the world, and which have a very high risk of being sourced from unsustainable fisheries".^[6] The reasons given by Greenpeace were "destruction of vast areas of mangroves in several countries, over-fishing of juvenile shrimp from the wild to supply farms, and significant human rights abuses".^[6]

Taxonomy

Penaeus monodon was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1798. That name was overlooked for a long time, however, until 1949, when Lipke Holthuis clarified which species it referred to.^[7] Holthuis also showed that P. monodon had to be the type species of the genus Penaeus.^[7]

References

^ "Species Fact Sheets: Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798)". FAO Species Identification and Data Programme (SIDP). FAO. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
^ L. B. Holthuis (1980). "Penaeus (Penaeus) monodon". Shrimps and Prawns of the World. An Annotated Catalogue of Species of Interest to Fisheries. FAO Species Catalogue. 1. Food and Agriculture Organization. p. 50. ISBN 92-5-100896-5.
^ "Giant shrimp raises big concern as it invades the Gulf". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
^ "Giant cannibal shrimp more than a FOOT long invade waters off Gulf Coast".The Daily Mail. 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798)". Cultured Aquatic Species Information Programme. Food and Agriculture Organization. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
^ ^a ^b "Greenpeace International Seafood Red list". Greenpeace. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
^ ^a ^b L. B. Holthuis (1949). "The identity of Penaeus monodon Fabr." (PDF).Proceedings of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Akadademie van Wetenschappen52 (9): 1051–1057.

Penaeus merguiensis

2012-05-29T22:25:00.001+07:00

Penaeus merguiensis

Penaeus merguiensis (De Man, 1888)

Black and white drawing

See tree map

Synonyms

Penaeus indicus merguiensis De Man, 1882

FAO Names

En - Banana prawn, Fr - Crevette banane, Sp - Langostino banana.

3Alpha Code: PBA Taxonomic Code: 2280100103

Scientific Name with Original Description
Penaeus merguiensis De Man, 1888, J.Linn.Soc.Lond.(Zool.), 22:287.

Geographical Distribution

Indo-West Pacific: from the Persian Gulf to Thailand, Hong Kong, the Philippines. Indonesia, New Guinea, New Caledonia and N. Australia (north of 29°S).

Habitat and Biology
Depth 10 to 45 m.Bottom mud. Estuarine and marine.

Size
Maximum total length 240 mm (female).

Interest to Fisheries

Global Capture production for
Penaeus merguiensis
(FAO Fishery Statistic)

Global Aquaculture production for
Penaeus merguiensis
(FAO Fishery Statistic)

The species is commercially of major importance in the Persian Gulf and in Pakistan (Longhurst, 1970:280,281; Tirmizi, in Litt.). In India this species has often been confused with Penaeus indicus so that its present economic status is not quite accurately known, but Jones (1967: 1333) pointed out that it definitely contributes to the commercial fishery along the Karwar coast of W. India. Kurian & Sebastian (1976:100) reported that there is a small fishery for this species "in the middle region of east and west coasts" of India, while "juveniles are fished from estuaries". it is not mentioned for Bangladesh by Ahmad (1957), so that it is possible that a confusion with P. indicus has occurred here also. P. merguiensis is also important off the northwestern coast of Malaya, and possibly the west coast of Thailand, and the Philippines (Longhurst, 1970:284-290). In Indonesia it is taken bytrawlers off E. Sumatra, the south coast of Java, off Borneo and in the Arafura Sea, being the dominant species there. In Australia it is the most important commercial species of Queensland, and also in Western Australia it may become very important (Racek, 1955:222; 1957:12). In the Gulf of Papua it is trawled for;
the catch is frozen.It plays a role in pond culture in Thailand (Shigueno, 1975:120) and in Indonesia. The total catch reported for this species to FAO for 1999 was 78 743 t. The countries with the largest catches were Indonesia (65 230 t) and Thailand (9 200 t).

Related Fishing Techniques

Local Names

Pakistan : Jaira , Jiaro (used also for other species of Fenneropenaeus).

Malaysia : Udang kaki merah .

Indonesia : Udang putih .

Thailand : Kung chaebauy .

Hong Kong : Pak ha , White prawn .

Australia : Banana prawn , White prawn .

Source of Information
FAO CATALOGUE Vol.1 - Shrimps and Prawns of the World. An Annotated Catalogue of Species of Interest to Fisheries.L.B. Holthuis 1980. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No.125, Volume 1.

Bibliography

Kirkegaard, Tuma & Walker, 1970

Source: Fao

Penaeus

2012-05-29T22:07:00.000+07:00

Penaeus

Penaeus is a genus of prawns, including the giant tiger prawn (P. monodon), the most important species of farmed crustacean worldwide. The genus has been reorganised following a proposition of Pérez Farfante and Kensley based on morphological differences, in particular the genital characteristics of these animals,^[1] although this revision has not been universally accepted.^[2] Following the revision, many species formerly in the genus Penaeus have been reassigned to new genera in the family Penaeidae:

Penaeus

Penaeus monodon
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Suborder:	Dendrobranchiata
Superfamily:	Penaeoidea
Family:	Penaeidae
Genus:	Penaeus Fabricius, 1798
Species
Penaeus esculentus Haswell, 1879 Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798 Penaeus semisulcatus De Haan, 1844

Farfantepenaeus, Fenneropenaeus, Litopenaeus and Marsupenaeus.^[1] The following table gives an overview:

Old scientific name	New scientific name	Common name(s)
P. aztecus	Farfantepenaeus aztecus	northern brown shrimp
P. brasiliensis	Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis	redspotted shrimp, spotted pink shrimp
P. brevirostris	Farfantepenaeus brevirostris	crystal shrimp, pink shrimp
P. californiensis	Farfantepenaeus californiensis	yellowleg shrimp, brown shrimp
P. chinensis	Fenneropenaeus chinensis	fleshy prawn, Chinese white shrimp, oriental shrimp
P. duorarum	Farfantepenaeus duorarum	northern pink shrimp
P. esculentus	Penaeus esculentus	brown tiger prawn
P. indicus	Fenneropenaeus indicus	Indian prawn
P. japonicus	Marsupenaeus japonicus	Kuruma shrimp, Kuruma prawn, Japanese tiger shrimp
P. merguiensis	Fenneropenaeus merguiensis	banana shrimp, banana prawn
P. monodon	Penaeus monodon	giant tiger prawn, black tiger shrimp
P. notialis	Farfantepenaeus notialis	southern pink shrimp
P. occidentalis	Litopenaeus occidentalis	western white shrimp
P. paulensis	Farfantepenaeus paulensis	São Paulo shrimp, Carpas shrimp
P. penicillatus	Fenneropenaeus penicillatus	redtail prawn
P. schmitti	Litopenaeus schmitti	southern white shrimp
P. semisulcatus	Penaeus semisulcatus	green tiger prawn
P. setiferus	Litopenaeus setiferus	northern white shrimp
P. silasi	Fenneropenaeus silasi
P. stylirostris	Litopenaeus stylirostris	western blue shrimp, blue shrimp
P. subtilis	Farfantepenaeus subtilis	southern brown shrimp
P. vannamei	Litopenaeus vannamei	whiteleg shrimp, Pacific white shrimp

A few more species that are sometimes given as Penaeus spp. are actually assigned to the genus Melicertus:

Invalid name	Valid scientific name	Common name(s)
P. canaliculatus	Melicertus canaliculatus	witch shrimp, tiger shrimp
P. kerathurus	Melicertus kerathurus	Caramote prawn, triple-grooved shrimp
P. latisculatus	Melicertus latisculatus	western king prawn
P. longistylus	Melicertus longistylus	redspot king prawn, red-spotted prawn
P. marginatus	Melicertus marginatus	Aloha prawn
P. plebejus	Melicertus plebejus	eastern king prawn

References

^ ^a ^b Isabel Pérez Farfante, Brian Frederick Kensley (1997). Penaeoid and Sergestoid Shrimps and Prawns of the World: Keys and Diagnoses for the Families and Genera. Mémoires du Muséum national d'histoire naturelle. 175. Muséum national d'histoire naturelle. pp. 1–233.ISBN 9782856535103.

^ Patsy A. McLaughlin, Rafael Lemaitre, Frank D. Ferrari, Darryl L. Felder & R. T. Bauer (2008)."Letter to the Editor: A reply to T. W. Flegel" (PDF). Aquaculture 275: 370–373.doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2007.12.020.

External links

"Penaeidae Rafinesque, 1815". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.

List of species (Japanese)

Source Penaeus

Fire Red Shrimp

2012-05-28T15:22:00.002+07:00

Fire Red Shrimp

Neocaridina heteropoda var. Fire Red

Fire Red Shrimp

Overview

There are generally 3-4 grades of Fire Red, starting with Sakura, then Fire Red, Taiwan Fire Red, and finally Painted Fire Red. All are a selectivly bred color morphs of Neocaridina heteropoda. They live and act very similar to Red Cherry shrimp.

Origin and Background

The origin of these shrimp variations is under some debate and due to the popularity of the Red Cherry shrimp it is unlikely that we will ever really know. There are claims of origins in Germany, Taiwan, and Other places. While the name Taiwan Fire Red, would give some weight to the claim of Taiwan even that is debated. In truth with the ease of breeding Cherry Shrimp it probably was developed many places simultaneously, both at big farms and by local hobbyist alike.

Color Grading

Sakura Red Shrimp

The body of the female is almost entirely red, there may be some translucent patches near the underbelly and a saddle may still be visible. Cracking in the carapace may also be visible. The males may look similar to male cherry shrimp and be near colorless.

Fire Red Shrimp

The body and legs are red without cracking to the carapace. There maybe some slight spotting on the legs but they should be mostly red in color. There may be some translucence to the carapace such that the saddle may still be visible but still difficult to see under poor lighting.

Taiwan Fire Red Shrimp

Very similar to the Fire Reds with two notable exceptions, first there is a distinct uniformity in the coloration, with the red covering all visible parts of the shrimp and second they apparently breed a higher percentage of similar offspring than normal fire red with 80-90% being of similar grade.

Painted Fire Red Shrimp

There is a deeper darker color here, in both the males and the females. The saddle is rarely visible even under direct light and the males look between high grade sakura reds and can have coloration similar to the females.

Breeding

About as "plug and play" as shrimp breeding gets, they breed in most water conditions and do so frequently. Once Breeding age is reached a single sexed pair kept in stable water conditions without outside predation of the shrimp fry(babies) could realistically yield hundreds of shrimp within a years time given enough space and food. When purchasing these shrimp for breeding it is wise to purchase at least 8-10 at a time to guarantee at least a couple pairs, additionally 1 shrimp per gallon to start(but at least 8) is a good rule if frequent breeding is desired. The rate of breeding is only slightly lower than lower grade Cherry red shrimp, but the number of viable offspring (that don't need to be culled) also affects the reproduction rate.

Sexing

Sexing becomes increasingly difficult the higher the grade of the Fire Red, in lower grades the females show obvious saddles and the males are much lighter in color, when you move up to painted fire reds it can be near impossible to tell apart the males and females unless the female is berried or both are fully grown and then the male is a bit smaller.

Water Parameters

Generally, almost any habitable tank will suit these shrimp, I personally keep them with OEBTs in a tank that is about 72 degrees with very soft water and a PH of 6.6, I have a friend who keeps them with Cardinal Shrimp at a ph of 8.2 and about 82 degrees and very hard water. They are a versatile and hardy species who can be kept with minimal care. In sub-tropical and tropical areas it is possible to keep them in well established, naturally filtered ponds, provided the water doesn't exceed 85 degrees for extended periods.

Feeding

They are not picky eaters and will eat most shrimp and fish foods, blanched vegetables, algae pellets and other sinking food. They are also very efficient scavengers who will eat bio-film that accumulates on moss and other aquarium plants. If your tank is populated at a ratio of less than 2-3 shrimp per gallon and is moderately planted they often can go days or even weeks without additional food supplements, once they exceed 3 shrimp per gallon feeding should occur every other day (in very small amounts).

Crystal Red Shrimp

2012-05-28T15:02:00.004+07:00

Crystal Red Shrimp

Caridina cantonensis sp. "Red"

Crystal Red Shrimp

Overview

One of the most popular shrimp in the hobby is the Crystal Red Shrimp, sometimes called the Red Bee Shrimp. Its coloration and difficulty is what makes this a sought after shrimp for serious breeders and novices alike. Pictures do not do the Crystal Red Shrimp justice. Once you see this species in person you will realize why so many shrimp hobbyists are in love with the Crystal Red Shrimp.

Its coloration is unlike any other shrimp in the hobby. I highly recommend that all shrimp hobbyists at some point acquire this species. Please read the parameters and conditions that the Crystal Red Shrimp prefers before you decide to acquire this shrimp. Over time a grading system has developed and some grades of the Crystal Red Shrimp have become very expensive. Click the link below for more detailed information on the grading of this species.

Quick Info

English name: Crystal Red Shrimp

Scientific name:

Caridina cf. cantonensis

sp. "Crystal Red"

Origin: Mutation of bee shrimp

Size male/female: 1 inch / 1.2 in

Water temperature: 64 - 78 �F

Water Parameters: pH 6.5 - 7.5

Breeding Rate: high

Behaviour: non-agressive

Difficulty: medium-hard

Courtesy of wirbellose-nrw

Background

The Crystal Red Shrimp is in fact a red mutation of the wild Bee Shrimp. In 1996, Mr. Hisayasu Suzuki of Japan discovered one of his Bee Shrimp had red stripes instead of black. He bred this species with other Bee Shrimp to produce more of the red variety. Slowly other breeders selectively bred the Crystal Red Shrimp to produce different grades and intensify the coloration. However, the Crystal Red Shrimp is not a beginner's shrimp. You must have prior experience with other hobby shrimp in order to step into the realm of the Crystal Red Shrimp. The care and nature of this species requires much more attention to detail, not to mention the expensive price that this shrimp carries. You do not want to make a mistake due to inexperience with the Crystal Red Shrimp and have it cost you a lot of money.

Water Parameters

The Crystal Red Shrimp prefers soft acidic water. Clean water is also a must as with all shrimp in the hobby. However, the Crystal Red Shrimp may be the most vulnerable shrimp when housed in dirty water. Water changes are a must for this species. Temperature should be lower than 80F and the pH should range from 6.2 to 6.8, gH should be between 4-6 and kH should be between 1-2. It is very important that the Crystal Red Shrimp be housed in specific conditions. Extremes in either water parameters mentioned should be avoided. It cannot be stressed enough how delicate this shrimp is. As you approach higher grades of this species, water parameters become even more important.

Breeding

The Crystal Red Shrimp is not as difficult of a species to breed like some believe. Like all hobby shrimp, the Crystal Red Shrimp can breed just as readily as most other Caridina species. It will also produce just as many offspring given that the water is clean and the parameters are suited for this species. For more information on the reproduction cycle of freshwater aquarium shrimp please read the article Shrimp Reproduction.

The babies of the Crystal Red Shrimp are colored just like their parents just after hatching. However, the grading of the offspring cannot be performed until they grow more. You will see the red/white coloration in the Crystal Red Shrimp Offspring but not any detailed features/patterns which can differentiate between grades.

Unfortunately the Crystal Red Shrimp is a severely inbred species. Obtaining higher grades means that breeders will produce offspring from the same genetic strain. Due to the overbreeding the Crystal Red Shrimp can be more delicate and succeptable to diseases as well as slight changes in water conditions as mentioned in the water parameters section. This is why it is recommended that you gain experience in shrimp keeping first. Photo of a baby Crystal Red Shrimp below.

Crystal Red Shrimp Eating

Feeding:

The Crystal Red Shrimp is not too different from other algae eating shrimps. It is a scavenger and an algae eater. Feeding is best done once a day. Only feed an amount of food that the shrimp can finish within 2-3 hours maximum. It is not good to feed in excess and have food sitting for too long. Overfeeding is a known cause of death and can also cause water quality issues. Remember that shrimp are scavengers in the wild. They will eat whatever they find and are not used to a constant food source 24/7. Not feeding for one or two days is fine and will not harm this species at all. Sometimes I will not feed for a couple of days in order to let the shrimp cleanse their systems and keep the water clean at the same time.

Hobbyists like to keep this species' sufficient in iodine and nutrition, but at the same time do not to spoil the water since Crystal Red Shrimp are sensitive to nitrate. The foods commonly used are pre-made Crystal Red Shrimp food, spinach, bloodworm, seaweed, and algae wafer. There are several different brands of Crystal Red Shrimp food as well as different sizes of the food and even powder food for young. Shirakura, Mosura, and Biomax are some of the more popular brands. There are also breeders that mix their own food using many different ingredients.

Crystal Red Shrimp Eating

Sexing:

Sexing the Crystal Red Shrimp can be difficult at juvenile stage. Once females reach adulthood you can then tell the difference between sexes, or at least which are females. Females are easy to identify as they are larger and also have a curved underbelly. I do not believe that the difference in coloration is enough to truly sex this species. Instead look for size difference and more importantly the underbelly. The saddle of a female Crystal Red Shrimp may be virtually impossible to see due to the red coloration. You may however be able to see the saddle since it is a browning color. Photo of a pregnant Crystal Red Shrimp female below. Notice the curved under belly.

Pregnant Crystal Red Shrimp

Grading

The Crystal Red Shrimp comes in many different grades and grading termanologies as well. Prices increase as the grade is "higher". Sometimes the price of a high grade Crystal Red Shrimp is shocking. Reports of $2500 for a single shrimp have been reported. Please visit the Crystal Red Shrimp Grading Guide for more information on specific grading of the Crystal Red Shrimp.

Crystal Red Shrimp SSS Grade "Mosura"

Cardinal Shrimp

2012-05-28T14:54:00.000+07:00

Cardinal Shrimp

Caridina sp. "Cardinal"

Cardinal Shrimp

Overview

New to the shrimp hobby, the Cardinal Shrimp is fast becoming one of the most sought after shrimp. It is magnificent in person with either a dark rose red coloration or a lighter red coloration with white dots running along the side of the shrimp. Photos do not do justice, you must see this species in person. It is not a beginner's species and only experienced hobbyists should attempt to keep this species.

Quick Info

English name: Cardinal Shrimp

Scientific name:

Caridina sp "Cardinal"

Origin: Indonesia

Size: .75 in / 1 in

Water temperature: 78 - 85 °F

Water Parameters: pH 7.0 - 8.5

Breeding Rate: low

Behaviour: non-agressive

Difficulty: difficult

Background

The Cardinal Shrimp is from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sulawesi is one of the islands encompassing the country of Indonesia. The Cardinal Shrimp is caught in one of several lakes in Sulawesi. I highly suggest that you read the article Sulawesi Expedition for detailed information on Sulawesi as well as more information on is habitat. There are also underwater photos of the lake system.

Water Parameters

As with all Sulawesi Shrimp it is highly recommended that you keep the Cardinal Shrimp in a temperature of at least 78F. Anything lower can kill this species. It is also recommended that you keep this species in a tank with hard water and a ph of no less than 7.0.

I am currently keeping the Cardinal Shrimp in the same tank with a few other species from Sulawesi. The tank consists of ADA Amazonia substrate, a temperature of 84F and a pH of 7.0. Some have stated that the low ph of 7.0 due to the ADA Amazonia is not good for this species. Right now I disagree. All of the Sulawesi Shrimp that I currently house are doing very well in this setup and so far even the babies are doing very well. The babies are constantly picking away for food which is of course a good sign.

A lot of hobbyists attempt to replicate the environment of the Cardinal Shrimp by using rocks for aesthetics and algae surfaces. If you read the article Sulawesi Expedition you will notice that the Cardinal Shrimp lives in the rocks and picks at them for food. There are also those who use coral chips or similar to raise the water hardness. Sand is also a common choice to use in the aquarium.

Breeding

Breeding is done in complete freshwater, not salt or brackish water is required whatsoever. There is no larval stage. The adult females carry the eggs until they hatch, producing miniature shrimp. There have been hobbyists that have had pregnant Cardinal Shrimp in captivity and some have had the eggs hatch successfully as well. Several breeders have had good success breeding the Cardinal Shrimp and it is apparently not as difficult as some may think.

The females carry roughly 10-15 eggs. It takes approximately 20-30 days for the eggs to hatch. The babies immediately show the same color as the adults. The growth rate of the babies is fast as well. If the tank is in good shape then the babies will grow almost as fast as some of the Neocaridina Shrimp. For more information on the reproduction cycle of freshwater aquarium shrimp please read the article Shrimp Reproduction.

I was lucky to receive some pregnant Cardinal Shrimp from overseas. The pregnant ones from the wild hatched their eggs and now I have baby Cardinals all over the place. They are doing very well and I hope to have them grow to adulthood and reproduce in pure captivity. I will update as time progresses.

Baby Cardinal Shrimp

Appearance

The Cardinal Shrimp can have different shades of red, from dark to light red. The darkness of the red coloration is variable and is not an indicator of health, sex, or anything else. The red coloration is also contrasted by white dots throughout the body. Some of the white dots appear to have a blue outline to them. One of the coolest features of the Cardinal Shrimp is its front white legs. The white legs move rapidly when the shrimp is feeding and also sets this species apart from the other Sulawesi Shrimp. The photo below show a more zoomed in look at their white legs. The video below also shows the white legs in motion.

Baby Cardinal Shrimp

Behavior

The Cardinal Shrimp is not a shy species at all. It will constantly forage on the bottom and seems to prefer scraping rocks. The majority of the Cardinal Shrimp I have observed seem spend almost all of their time on the algae covered rocks or sides of the glass picking away. It is not an agressive species whatsoever and seem to enjoy other species in the same tank. Some breeders have also reported that the Cardinal Shrimp seem to be more active when Sulawesi Snails are introduced to the tank. Perhaps this makes them feel more at home with the snails found in their wild environment. They will also pick at the snails' shell.

Feeding

I feed all of the Sulawesi Shrimp, including the Cardinal Shrimp, the same as I feed all of the other shrimp I keep. I feed mostly Shirakura food and The occasional algae water or other invert food. This species will eat at all times of the day but I believe that they prefer to eat at night when they feel safe. I have noticed that when the lights are off they will come out and eat better than when the lights are on.

Feeding is best done once a day. Only feed an amount of food that the shrimp can finish within 2-3 hours maximum. It is not good to feed in excess and have food sitting for too long. Overfeeding is a known cause of death and can also cause water quality issues. Remember that shrimp are scavengers in the wild. They will eat whatever they find and are not used to a constant food source 24/7. Not feeding for one or two days is fine and will not harm this species at all. Sometimes I will not feed for a couple of days in order to let the shrimp cleanse their systems and keep the water clean at the same time.

Sexing

Sexing of the Cardinal Shrimp is difficult and so far no one has fully figured out how to do so with the naked eye. The females have a saddle showing eggs underneath the carapace but the only way to actually see the saddle is with an infrared light. The outside shell of the Cardinal Shrimp is so dark that you cannot possibly see the saddle without special equipment. As far as using the principle of the other shrimps species, meaning females are larger and have a curved underbelly, does not apply to the Cardinal Shrimp unfortunately. Males and females seem to look exactly the same.

Additional Photos and Videos

Baby Cardinal Shrimp

Brown Camo Shrimp

2012-05-28T14:47:00.003+07:00

Brown Camo Shrimp

Caridina sp. "Brown Camo"

Brown Camo Shrimp

Overview

The Brown Camo Shrimp is another one of the magnificent species from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its size is comparable to that of the Cardinal Shrimp, not the largest but also not the smallest of the Sulawesi species. Its coloration is very unique. The Brown Camo Shrimp is not a beginner's species and only experienced hobbyists should attempt to keep it.

Background

The Brown Camo Shrimp is from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sulawesi is one of the islands encompassing the country of Indonesia. The Brown Camo Shrimp is caught in one of several lakes in Sulawesi. I highly suggest that you read the article Sulawesi Expedition for detailed information on Sulawesi as well as more information on is habitat. There are also underwater photos of the lake system and photos of the landscape.

Water Parameters

As with all Sulawesi Shrimp it is highly recommended that you keep the Brown Camo Shrimp in a temperature of at least 78F. Anything lower can kill this species. It is also recommended that you keep this species in a tank with hard water and a ph of no less than 7.0. I keep the Brown Camo Shrimp in a tank with a pH of 7.0 and temperature of 84F.

Due to its small size you can keep the Brown Camo Shrimp in a smaller tank. I recommend a tank of at least 10 gallons. I would keep no more than 25 Brown Camo Shrimp per 10 gallons of water. Even though it is a smaller species, overcrowding can stress this shrimp.

A lot of hobbyists attempt to replicate the environment of the Brown Camo Shrimp by using rocks for aesthetics and algae surfaces.There are also those who use coral chips or similar to raise the water hardness. Sand is also a common choice to use in the aquarium.

Breeding

The Brown Camo Shrimp has been successfully bred in captivity according to other breeders worldwide. Breeding is done in complete freshwater, no salt or brackish water is required whatsoever. The adult females carry the eggs until they hatch, producing miniature shrimp. The females carry roughly 10-15 eggs. It takes approximately 20-30 days for the eggs to hatch. For more information on the reproduction cycle of freshwater aquarium shrimp please read the article Shrimp Reproduction.

The babies of the Brown Camo Shrimp will not show much similarities in coloration to the parents. It will take at least a week before you can truly identify the baby as coming from this species. Due to the baby's small size it is not large enough to show the coloration or pattern as the adults do. Below is a photo of a baby Brown Camo Shrimp. Notice the small red dots starting to appear.

Baby Brown Camo Shrimp

Sexing

Sexing of the Brown Camo Shrimp is difficult and so far no one has fully figured out how to do so with the naked eye. As far as using the principle of the other shrimps species, meaning females are larger and have a curved underbelly, does not apply to the Brown Camo Shrimp unfortunately. Males and females seem to look exactly the same. Once more information is known about properly sexing this species this page will be updated.

Appearance

The Brown Camo Shrimp earns its name from the camouflage like appearance that its coloration has. The coloration seems to have developed to conceal it while it hides in rocks or perhaps out in the open. Males and females do not seem to have any difference in coloration or intensity. Below is a video of a Brown Camo Shrimp in action. Notice how fast the legs move as it picks the rocks for food.

Behavior

The Brown Camo Shrimp is not a shy species at all. It seems to enjoy being out in the open frequently and is not afraid if you approach the tank. It is also a solitary shrimp, it does not gather in groups and it is uncommon to see even two together. This adds to my theory that the coloration is a protection from being seen. It seems to like being in the open because it does not fear being seen, seemingly aware that its "camouflage" works.

Feeding

I feed all of the Sulawesi Shrimp, including the Brown Camo Shrimp, the same as I feed all of the other shrimp I keep. I feed mostly Shirakura food and The occasional algae water or other invert food. This species will eat at all times of the day and is not afraid of coming out into the open to feed. Below is a close-up photo of a Brown Camo Shrimp. Notice the tiny claws that it uses for feeding.

Brown Camo Shrimp Front Close-Up

Blue Tiger Shrimp

2012-05-28T10:45:00.000+07:00

Blue Tiger Shrimp

Caridina cantonensis sp "blue"

Blue Tiger Shrimp

Overview

The Blue Tiger Shrimp is an awesome looking shrimp. Unlike the normal Tiger Shrimp, the Blue Tiger Shrimp has blue throughout its body and has orange eyes as well. The contrast of the orange eyes to the blue body is superb. You have to seen this in person to really appreciate its beauty. This is a great species to keep but is on the more expensive side due to its rarity. Care is just like the regular Tiger Shrimp and maybe just a little more attention is needed due to the high price.

Origin and Background

As far as the history of the Blue Tiger Shrimp, I have no idea. I am unsure how the blue coloration was developed and I also do not know how the orange eyes came about. I have heard that the blue coloration is found in the wild and perhaps the orange eyes are also a mutation found in the wild. I do know that some of my normal Tiger Shrimp have a natural blue hue to them, but I have never seen one as pronounced as the actual Blue Tiger Shrimp. I have yet to see anything close to orange eyes on a normal Tiger Shrimp.

Orange Eyes

Breeding

The Blue Tiger Shrimp does not breed true, some offspring will have the blue coloration but some will not. All offspring will have orange eyes however. This species is not dyed in any way but t it does not produce 100% blue offspring. The non-blue offspring are simply called Orange Eyed Tiger Shrimp or sometimes called Blonde Tiger Shrimp. The exact ratio of blue:non-blue offspring is unknown. It is said that breeding both blue species will produce a higher ratio of blue offspring. Breeding this species can be difficult however. Since it is constantly inbred to achieve and keep the blue coloration, the Blue Tiger Shrimp can susceptible to desease and become vulnerable in poor water conditions. For more information on the reproduction cycle of freshwater aquarium shrimp please read the articleShrimp Reproduction.

Sexing

Sexing the Blue Tiger Shrimp is very easy. Females are easy to identify as they are larger and also have a curved underbelly. As far as the differing of the intensity of the blue coloration I tend to believe that the females will be somewhat darker than the males. However I do not believe that the difference in coloration is enough to truly sex this species. Instead look for size difference and more importantly the underbelly. The saddle of a female Blue Tiger Shrimp may be virtually impossible to see due to the dark blue coloration.

Water Parameters

The water parameters for the Blue Tiger Shrimp are typically the same as other Tiger Shrimp species. A pH around 6.5.7.5 is suitable and this species also prefers softwater. Clean water is also a must as with all other shrimp. Due to the Blue Tiger Shrimps lack of genetic diversity it can be more vulnerable to poor water conditions than other shrimp in the hobby. For some helpful information on keeping the Blue Tiger Shrimp please read the article Breeding Softwater Shrimp.

Feeding

Feeding the Blue Tiger Shrimp is also easy but due to the delicate and expensive nature of this species some breeders feed specialized foods. They eat anything from blanched spinach, zucchini, algae wafers, shrimp Feeding is best done once a day. Only feed an amount of food that the shrimp can finish within 2-3 hours maximum. It is not good to feed in excess and have food sitting for too long. Overfeeding is a known cause of death and can also cause water quality issues. Remember that shrimp are scavengers in the wild. They will eat whatever they find and are not used to a constant food source 24/7. Not feeding for one or two days is fine and will not harm this species at all. Sometimes I will not feed for a couple of days in order to let the shrimp cleanse their systems and keep the water clean at the same time.

Coloration & Grading

There are several grades of Blue Tiger Shrimp that differ as far as the intensity and/or darkness of the blue coloration. The different grades vary from Light Blue Tiger Shrimp to Dark Blue Tiger Shrimp. In my opinion it is a matter of preference to the intensity of the blue coloration you prefer. Dark Blue Tiger Shrimp are more expensive however some hobbyists prefer the lighter blue coloration over darker blue. Make sure that if you plan to purchase Blue Tiger Shrimp you have pictures sent and inspect them to determine the intensity of the blue.

Dark Blue Tiger Shrimp

Semi-Dark Blue Tiger Shrimp

Light Blue Tiger Shrimp

In the photo below you can see the difference in coloration between the Blue Tiger Shrimp. Some are dark and some are a light blue color. All have golden eyes.

Dark & Light Blue Tiger Shrimp

Blue Pearl Shrimp

2012-05-28T10:25:00.001+07:00

Blue Pearl Shrimp

Neocaridina cf. zhangjiajiensis var. blue

Blue Pearl Shrimp

Overview

This is a wonderful species to keep and is without a doubt a beautiful color. This is not a dark blue colored shrimp, but is a much lighter blue. Some have suggested that the Blue Pearl Shrimp should instead be called an "Ice Blue Shrimp" due to the interesting coloration of this species.

Background

The Blue Pearl Shrimp is directly related to the Snowball Shrimp. Both the Blue Pearl Shrimp and Snowball Shrimp were selectively bred by Ulf Gottschalk in Germany and derived from the Neocaridina cf. zhangjiajiensis wild-type to achieve their respective coloration. The Blue Pearl Shrimp was bred over an extended period of time to slowly bring out the blue coloration. This process is very tedious and time consuming so a lot of appreciation should go into this species as well as the actual breeder.

Breeding

Breeding occurs about once every 2 months, they carry the eggs for about 3 weeks. Generation time is about 3-5 months, depending on the temperature. There will be no breeding if the temperature is too low. Breeding the Blue Pearl Shrimp is very easy as long as the tank water is clean and there are no harmful conditions. If this species is happy and healthy than it will breed readily, almost as fast as the Red Cherry Shrimp. The Blue Pearl Shrimp requires virtually the exact same conditions as the Red Cherry Shrimp, Yellow Shrimp, and Snowball Shrimp. Please remember that the Blue Pearl Shrimp cannot be kept with any other Neocaridina Shrimp or else they will cross-breed and create an ugly hybrid shrimp.

Remember that all color morphs (selectively bred colorful shrimp) are bred to produce only their respective color, so having them cross-breed with the same genus of another species defeats the purpose of even keeping a selectively bred species. Please read the article Will These Shrimp Interbreed for more detailed information on cross breeding and hybrids. For more information on the reproduction cycle of freshwater aquarium shrimp please read the article Shrimp Reproduction.

Appearance

Some of the Blue Pearl Shrimp will exhibit tiny red spots along the body. This is perhaps because the blue coloration was not fully bred solid and some red coloration still remains from the wild type. Red spots do not mean that it is a hybrid. Please see the photo below for an example of the red spots. However do not be surprised at how wonderful the coloration looks in person regardless of any red spots. As with most shrimp, you have to see the Blue Pearl Shrimp in person to truly appreciate the Blue Pearl Shrimp.

Red Spots on Blue Pearl Shrimp

Close Up Photo

Another Close Up Photop

Feeding

Sexing

Sexing the Blue Pearl Shrimp is very easy, just like the other Neocaridina species like Red Cherry Shrimp, Snowball Shrimp, etc. The eggs of the Blue Pearl Shrimp are almost always brownish/green and the saddle is the same color, typical of Neocaridina shrimp. In the photos below you can see how the male is smaller, has less blue coloration and the "under belly" is a straight line with no curved shape. Females are much easier to identify as they are larger than the males, have a much darker blue coloration, and also have a curved underbelly.

Male Blue Pearl Shrimp

Female Blue Pearl Shrimp

Water Parameters

The Blue Pearl Shrimp prefers slightly alkaline to medium-hard water but are like other Neocaridina species in that they are easily adaptable to various conditions. Temperature can range from 68F-86F. Make sure that there is enough dissolved oxygen in the water if the water is warm.

Blue Bee Shrimp

2012-05-28T10:19:00.001+07:00

Blue Bee Shrimp

Caridina sp. "Blue Bee"

Blue Bee Shrimp

Overview

The Blue Bee Shrimp is relatively new to the shrimp hobby. It was first introduced around March 2008. It can be many colors and is sometimes hard to obtain due to the fact that it is wild caught and just starting to be bred by hobbyists.

Origin and Background

The Blue Bee Shrimp is a wild caught species found in freshwater streams in China. So far virtually all of the Blue Bee Shrimp in the hobby are from the wild. Breeding has begun however and captive bred specimens should not take long to hit the hobby shelves.

Tank Requirements

Successful breeding has been reported in a pH range of 6.5 to 6.8 with a temperature of 74F. These parameters are very similar to the parameters required for the Crystal Red Shrimp or Bee Shrimp. Since this is a close relative of those two species I suspect that the same care should be given to the Blue Bee. The exact parameters of the freshwater streams is unknown at this time. As more information about tank requirements are obtained this page will be updated.

Breeding

As stated before, successful breeding has been reported in a pH range of 6.5 to 6.8 with a temperature of 74F. Gabriel Hernandez in Japan has had success breeding this species so far. However there has not been an F1 population. Once more information on successful breeding is known this page will be updated. For now treat this species the same as similar species like the Crystal Red Shrimp or Bee Shrimp. For more information on the reproduction cycle of freshwater aquarium shrimp please read the articleShrimp Reproduction.

Baby Blue Bee Shrimp

Coloration

The colors come in brown, purple, and blue. It is unknown if health or genetics is the cause of the brown coloration. Time will tell whether or not coloration is a sign of health. This species is very new to the hobby so not much information is known nor confirmed. Photos of various colored Blue Bee Shrimp below.

Baby Blue Bee Shrimp

Sexing:

Sexing the Blue Bee Shrimp can be difficult at juvenile stage. Once females reach adulthood you can then tell the difference between sexes, or at least which are females. Females are easy to identify as they are larger and also have a curved underbelly. I do not believe that the difference in coloration is enough to truly sex this species. Instead look for size difference and more importantly the underbelly.

Feeding

Stenopus hispidus (banded cleaner shrimp, banded coral shrimp)

2012-05-28T09:56:00.001+07:00

Stenopus hispidus

(Banded cleaner shrimp, Banded coral shrimp)

Stenopus hispidus

Stenopus hispidus is a shrimp-like decapod crustacean belonging to the infraorder Stenopodidea. Common names include banded coral shrimp and banded cleaner shrimp.^[2]

Distribution

Stenopus hispidus

Stenopus hispidus has a pan-tropical distribution,^[3] extending into some temperate areas. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Canada toBrazil,^[4] including the Gulf of Mexico.^[3] In Australia it is found as far south as Sydney and it also occurs around New Zealand.^[2]

Description

Stenopus hispidus reaches a total length of 60 millimetres (2.4 in),^[2] and has striking colouration. The ground colour is transparent,^[5] but the carapace,abdomen and the large third pereiopod are all banded red and white.^[2] The antennae and other pereiopods are white.^[2] The abdomen, carapace and third pereiopods are covered in spines.^[5]

Ecology

Stenopus hispidus lives below the intertidal zone, at depth of up to 210 metres (690 ft),^[2] on coral reefs.^[5] It is a cleaner shrimp, and advertises to passing fish by slowly waving its long, white antennae.^[5]^[6] S. hispidus uses its three pairs of claws to remove parasites, fungi and damaged tissue from the fish.^[6]

References

^ Charles Fransen (2010). "Stenopus hispidus (Olivier, 1811)". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved June 11, 2011.

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Gary C. B. Poore & Shane T. Ahyong (2004). "Stenopodidea – coral shrimps and venus shrimps". Marine Decapod Crustacea of Southern Australia: a Guide to Identification. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 145–149. ISBN 978-0-643-06906-0.

^ ^a ^b Darryl L. Felder, Fernando Álvarez, Joseph W. Goy & Rafael Lemaitre (2009). "Decapoda Crustacea of the Gulf of Mexico with Comments on the Amphionidacea". In Darryl L. Felder & David K. Camp. Gulf of Mexico Origin, Waters, and Biota: Biodiversity. Volume 1.Texas A&M University Press. pp. 1019–1104. ISBN 978-1-60344-094-3.

^ "Stenopus hispidus (Olivier, 1811) banded coral shrimp".SeaLifeBase. March 23, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2011.

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Gilbert L. Voss. "The crustaceans". Seashore Life of Florida and the Caribbean. Courier Dover Publications. pp. 78–123. ISBN 978-0-486-42068-4.

^ ^a ^b Brian Morton & John Edward Morton (1983). "The coral sub-littoral". The Sea Shore Ecology of Hong Kong. Hong Kong University Press. pp. 253–300. ISBN 978-962-209-027-9.

External links

Media related to Stenopus hispidus at Wikimedia Commons

Data related to Stenopus hispidus at Wikispecies

Stenopus hispidus

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Genus:	Stenopus
Species:	S. hispidus
Binomial name
*Stenopus hispidus* (Olivier, 1811)^[1]

Source Stenopus hispidus

Lysiosquillina maculata, the zebra mantis shrimp or striped mantis shrimp

2012-05-28T09:41:00.002+07:00

Lysiosquillina maculata

Lysiosquillina maculata

Lysiosquillina maculata, the zebra mantis shrimp or striped mantis shrimp

Lysiosquillina maculata, the zebra mantis shrimp or striped mantis shrimp, is a species of mantis shrimp found across the Indo-Pacific region fromEast Africa to the Galápagos and Hawaiian Islands.^[2] At a length of up to 40 cm, L. maculata is the largest mantis shrimp in the world.^[2]

L. maculatamay be distinguished from its congener L. sulcata by the greater number of teeth on the last segment of its raptorial claw, and by the colouration of theuropodal endopod, the distal half of which is dark in L. maculata but not in L. sulcata.^[3] There is a small artisanal fishery for this species.^[3]

References

^ "Lysiosquillina maculata (J. C. Fabricius, 1793)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved April 18, 2011.

^ ^a ^b Roy Caldwell. "Species: Lysiosquillina maculata". Roy's List of Stomatopods for the Aquarium. University of California Museum of Paleontology. Retrieved February 14, 2009.

^ ^a ^b "Lysiosquillidae". The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. pp. 835–837.

External links

Media related to Lysiosquillina maculata at Wikimedia Commons

Lysiosquillina maculata

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Stomatopoda
Family:	Lysiosquillidae
Genus:	Lysiosquillina
Species:	L. maculata
Binomial name
*Lysiosquillina maculata* (Fabricius, 1793) ^[1]

Caridea (Decapoda, Eucarida, Malacostraca)

2012-05-28T08:40:00.000+07:00

Caridea (Decapoda, Eucarida, Malacostraca)

Common name. Shrimps (Coral Shrimps, Snapping Shrimps).

Description. Head. Rostrum present or absent; head. articulated, or fused to head; orbital spines (frontal horns) present or absent, eyes stalked or absent, eyes paired and lateral or single and anterior; eyes compound, visual elements present; eyes ocular scale absent; eyes naupliar eyes present, or naupliar eyes absent.

Antennules (antenna 1) triramous, or biramous; peduncle and flagellum distinct; endopod well developed; exopod well developed, whip-like; statocyst present. Antennae (antenna 2) biramous; exopod forming a scaphocerite. Mandible uniramous; palp present, or absent. Maxillipeds, 3 pairs; biramous, or uniramous.

Thorax. Carapace present, univalved, enclosing head and thorax, laterally compressed or subcylindrical to cylindrical or dorsoventrally flattened, smooth or with spines. Sternum undivided (check). Thorax and abdomen differentiated.

Peraeopods (legs) 5 pairs, or 4 pairs (Paracrangon has 4 pairs of peraeopods); biramous, or uniramous; non-phyllopodous; differentiated (some prehensile). Peraeopod 1 (leg 1) simple, or chelate, or subchelate. Peraeopod 2 (leg 2) chelate. Peraeopod 3 (leg 3) simple. Peraeopod 5 (leg 5) well developed. Abdomen with 6 somites.

Epimera present, second epimeron overlapping first and third epimera. Pleopods present, 5 pairs; none modified into reproductive organ in males, or pleopod 1 forming a gonopod (eg. petasma) in males, or pleopod 2 forming a gonopod (eg. appendix masculina) in males. Uropods well developed, 1 pair, positioned ventrolaterally; rami present, exopod with diaresis, partial or complete or exopod without diaresis; endopod without statocyst. Telson present (not fused to pleon).

Larval development. Epimorphic, or metamorphic. Embryos attached to pleopods.

Habitat. Marine, brackish, freshwater or semiterrestrial; benthic or pelagic; free-living or commensal.

Distribution. Worldwide.

Cite this publication as: Lowry, J.K. (1999 onwards). 'Crustacea, the Higher Taxa: Description, Identification, and Information Retrieval.' Version: 2 October 1999. http://crustacea.net/.

See more Shrimp on BabyShrimp.net

List of Atlantic Shrimps and Prawns Species

2012-05-28T08:29:00.001+07:00

List of Atlantic Shrimps and Prawns Species

Crangon crangon

Shrimp and prawns

Palaemon elegans

Pandalus borealis

Pantomus parvulus
Parapenaeus americanus
Parapenaeus politus
Peisos petrunkevitchi
Penaeopsis serrata
Periclimenaeus ascidiarum
Periclimenaeus atlanticus
Periclimenaeus schmitti
Periclimenaeus wilsoni
Periclimenes americanus
Periclimenes iridescens
Periclimenes longicaudatus
Periclimenes pedersoni
Periclimenes yucatanicus — spotted cleaner shrimp
Philocheras gorei
Pleoticus muelleri
Pleoticus robustus
Plesionika edwardsii
Plesionika martia
Plesionika tenuipes
Plesionika willisi
Pontonia domestica
Pontonia manningi
Pontophilus brevirostris
Processa bermudensis
Processa guyanae
Processa hemphilli
Processa profunda
Processa tenuipes
Processa vicina
Rimapenaeus constrictus
Sicyonia brevirostris
Sicyonia burkenroadi
Sicyonia dorsalis
Sicyonia laevigata
Sicyonia laevigata
Sicyonia parri
Sicyonia parri
Sicyonia stimpsoni
Sicyonia typica
Solenocera atlantidis
Solenocera necopina
Solenocera vioscai
Stenopus hispidus

Stenopus hispidus

Black Tiger Shrimp

2012-05-27T23:58:00.005+07:00

Black Tiger Shrimp

Caridina cantonensis sp. "Black Tiger"

Black Tiger Shrimp

Overview

One of the newest shrimp to hit the shrimp hobby is the Black Tiger Shrimp also known as the Black Diamond Shrimp. This species was selectively bred from the normal Tiger Shrimp for broader black stripes, eventually becoming entirely black over time. It is becoming a very popular shrimp.

Origin

The Black Tiger Shrimp is selectively bred from the normal Tiger Shrimp. The original Tiger Shrimp were bred for broader black stripes and after many generations the black stripes began to fill the entire body. This method however has its consequences such as poor genetics and vulnerability to deseases and bad water conditions. There are two different types of Black Tiger Shrimp, one with normal black eyes and ones with orange eyes. The ones with orange eyes fetch a higher price than their black eyed cousins. In Japan this species is commonly called the Black Diamond Shrimp even though it is in fact the same as the Black Tiger Shrimp.

Water Parameters

The Black Tiger Shrimp prefers colder more alkaline water. Breeders typically keep the Black Tiger Shrimp at a pH above 7.2 and temperature in the 70F - 74F range. It is reported that this species does not do well in the same water parameters as required by the Crystal Red Shrimp. Clean water of course is a must as with all hobby shrimp.

Breeding

Black Tiger Shrimp are reported to be very difficult to breed and even keep alive. Experienced breeders have managed to breed enough of this species to sell. Their rarity fetches a very high price depending on their grade as well as eye color. Due to inbreeding it is very important that it is given its particular water requirements. Poor genetics make this species very fragile. This shrimp meant for experienced hobbyists.

Young Black Tiger Shrimp

Sexing:

Sexing the Black Tiger Shrimp can be difficult at juvenile stage. Once females reach adulthood you can then tell the difference between sexes, or at least which are females. Females are easy to identify as they are larger and also have a curved underbelly. The saddle of a female Black Tiger Shrimp is virtually impossible to see due to the solid black coloration of the shrimp itself. Photo of a pregnant Black Tiger Shrimp female below. Notice the curved under belly.

Pregnant Black Tiger Shrimp

Grading

There are several grades of Black Tiger Shrimp. Grades differ based on the solidity of the black coloration as well as the eye color. The less solid black coloration the lower the grade; the more solid black coloration the higher the grade. Orange eyes are preferred over black eyes and deem a higher price. Exactly how the orange eyes were introduced to the Black Tiger Shrimp is unknown however it may have occured by breeding an orange eyed Tiger Shrimp (non-blue) with a Black Tiger Shrimp.

High Grade Black Tiger Shrimp with Orange Eyes

Feeding:

The Black Tiger Shrimp is not too different from other algae eating shrimps. It is a scavenger and an algae eater. Feeding is best done once a day. Only feed an amount of food that the shrimp can finish within 2-3 hours maximum. It is not good to feed in excess and have food sitting for too long. Overfeeding is a known cause of death and can also cause water quality issues. Remember that shrimp are scavengers in the wild. They will eat whatever they find and are not used to a constant food source 24/7. Not feeding for one or two days is fine and will not harm this species at all. Sometimes I will not feed for a couple of days in order to let the shrimp cleanse their systems and keep the water clean at the same time.

Black Tiger Shrimp Eating

Source Black Tiger Shrimp

Black King Kong Shrimp

2012-05-27T23:38:00.004+07:00

Black King Kong Shrimp

Overview

This is one of the rarest and most expensive shrimp in the hobby. Offspring of these shrimp have a low survival rate and they can be difficult to keep. This article will sum up many view points I have found over the internet from various breeders. These shrimp are expensive and breeders tend to be less than willing to give out information. While initially a very fragile variant these are getting increasingly stronger because they are being back bred to regular bee shrimp and well as hybrid (normal bee/Taiwan bee) shrimp,

effectively making them more common in the hobby and easier to keep. Breeding and selling these shrimp can absolutely be lucrative but it is not easy and it is not a way to get rich quick. That said, the market for these rare and beautiful shrimp is growing and the demand is not likely to lower the prices on these shrimp much more than they already have. The price has come down significantly since a pair of these shrimp was sold for $8500.00 USD in May 2009 but had been stable recently because of the low survival rate of the offspring. The information in this article is more or less *at your own risk*, and is a collection of various sources; additionally, some of the information had to be translated and my German is not great

Origin and Background

There is some debate to the origin of this shrimp with some claiming it is a spontaneous mutation of the Snow White Bees while others claim that it is a cross between a (CRS)red bee/(CBS)black bee hybrid with Blue Bee. It is more generally accepted that it was a mutation rather than a complex cross breeding but there is still some debate.

Breeding

Black King Kongs can be bred to other Black King Kongs, Wine Reds, Panda, Shadow Pandas, Blue Bolt, Mischling, CRS, CBS shrimp, they can also probably mix with other Caridina cantonensis but the results of such mixing (Tigers and Bees) is not readily available. How you breed your BKKs really should depend on your line and the breeder you are dealing with. Your breeder should be able to give you some indication of the survival rates of the particular shrimp you are buying. BKKxBKK suruvival rates can be lower than 10% but could be as high as 100% (although unlikely), and you should understand the quality of the specimen you are receiving. It may be better to have multiple tanks on shared water/filtration to make it easier and safer to separate berried females into birthing tanks. Unless you know your lines are strong enough that BKKxBKK has a high survival rate it may be beneficial to pick up some hybrids as they will have a higher survival rate.

Sexing

The Black King Kong can be difficult to sex until some time after sexual maturity is reached. It is impossible to identify a saddle on the females and even if a female is berried it can be difficult to spot the eggs at first glance. Once they are well into sexual maturity size and body shape can be used to identify the sexes as females will be a little larger and have a rounder undercarriage as is the case with most Caridina cantonensis species.

Black King Kong Shrimp

Black King Kong Shrimp

Water Parameters

Where to begin, there are many claims to successful breeding in a variety of water parameters. Instead of listing the highs and lows I would rather outline several of the more frequent or reliable claims. Generally most people do not recommend keeping them in smaller tanks, at least 25 gallons is often recommended, the reason for this is the more volume of water the easier it is to maintain constant water parameters. Independent of the claims of what water parameters are best all sources recommend that whatever they are they remain constant, larger amounts of water are easier to maintain at a constant value and natural changes tend to occur less rapidly in larger bodies of water. Another common suggestion is going a little overboard on the filtration: sponge filters, aeration, HoB, Canister filters, ect. Usually more than one is used sometimes all are recommended, no matter how you achieve it, your water should be very clean, almost drinkable clean. (Order is not meant to imply correctness)

Claim 1 : Water parameters are less important than the water being sterile and free from contaminants of any type. Once a tank is successfully cycled in preparation for your Shrimp, it should be kept in a aquatic clean room. The tank should be covered temperature should be maintained at between 64-68. PH should be below 6.8 and should not vary more than .2 in a 48 hour period or more than .5 in 14 days. KH should be maintained around 0-1 with trace elements provided by mineral rocks, GH should be around under 4.

Claim 2 : Successful breeding of the young requires very low PH 5-5.5, with KH of 0-2 and GH of 4-6 with water between 68-70.

Claim 3 : "Easy to breed in a range of water conditions" Several German sites - pH 6 - 7.5, GH 2-10, KH 0-6, 68-75f (20-24 C)

My conclusion(read: Logical guess based on various accounts) using these sources and a bit of logic is that there are elements of truth to all of them. These shrimp may actually do better at warmer temperatures and closer to neutral pH if everything is perfect but those water conditions are also more friendly to the survival of pathogens (bacterial, Viral and fungal) which means if a pathogen is introduced then it can be devastating to a population. I would venture to guess the suggestions of lower temperature and pH actually help the shrimp survive by making it less appealing to the unseen things that can cause shrimp do die rather than the "preference" of the shrimp.

Feeding

They tend to be picky eaters, but generally it is accepted that blanched spinach and high grade vegetarian shrimp feed is sufficient. A varied diet is a healthy diet. There are also some reports of the benefits of feeding freeze dried copepods as a dietary supplement because the high amounts of calcium and protein and the ease of digestion, this is particularly recommended for the very young. Feeding as with all shrimp should be done in moderation

Source Black King Kong Shrimp

Bee Shrimp

2012-05-27T22:41:00.003+07:00

Bee Shrimp

Caridina cantonensis sp. "Bee"

Bee Shrimp

Overview

The Bee Shrimp is sometimes called the Black Bee or Crystal Black Shrimp. Unfortunately the this species does not get as much publicity as its red colored cousin. I suspect that since there are other shrimp with similar black and white coloration, it is not considered unique in its own right. Uncommon colors is really what gain popularity in the shrimp hobby.

Background

The Bee Shrimp is directly related to the Crystal Red Shrimp. In fact the Crystal Red Shrimp is the red color mutation of the Bee Shrimp and is why it is sometimes called the Red Bee Shrimp. A Japanese breeder, Mr. Hisayasu Suzuki, discovered a Bee Shrimp with red stripes instead of black stripes. Of course the rest is history as far as the red variation is concerned.

Water Parameters

The Bee Shrimp prefers soft acidic water. Clean water is also a must as with all shrimp in the hobby. However, like the Crystal Red Shrimp, the Bee Shrimp may also be the most vulnerable shrimp when housed in dirty water. Water changes are a must for this species. Temperature should be lower than 80F and the pH should range from 6.2 to 6.8, gH should be between 4-6 and kH should be between 1-2. It is very important that the Bee Shrimp be housed in specific conditions. Extremes in either water parameters mentioned should be avoided. It cannot be stressed enough how delicate this shrimp is. As you approach higher grades of this species, water parameters become even more important.

Breeding

Breeding the Bee Shrimp is virtually identical to the breeding of the Crystal Red Shrimp. If you are attempting to breed along grading status then it is highly recommended that you read the species info page for the Crystal Red Shrimp as well as read the Crystal Red Shrimp Grading Guidepage. Breeding is not as difficult as some may think. However, this is definitely not a beginner shrimp. You must have experience keeping shrimp before attempting to keep and breed the Bee Shrimp. Water parameters and feeding are extremely important when it comes to this class of shrimp. Overbreeding to achieve high grades also causes susceptibility to diseases as well causing the shrimp to have a fragile nature. For more information on the reproduction cycle of freshwater aquarium shrimp please read the article Shrimp Reproduction.

Genetic Diversity

Due to the overbreeding of the Crystal Red Shrimp causing poor genetics and making it more fragile, the Bee Shrimp has become a pseudo "genetic updater" of sorts. There are actually very high grades of the Bee Shrimp that can be crossed with high grade Crystal Red Shrimp. These high grade Bee Shrimp allow the genetics to be somewhat more variable and at the same time not lose high grade status for the Crystal Red Shrimp. Hopefully this tactic truly helps both color variations sustain better immune systems and other vulnerabilities that occur with overbreeding. It is common knowledge that the higher the grade of Bee or Crystal Red Shrimp the higher the chance of desease or mortality. Extra care is taken with these shrimp especially when they are expensive grades.

Grading

Grading with this species is exactly the same as the grading with the red variation. Please see the Crystal Red Grading Guide for information on grading the Bee Shrimp as well. All standards apply with this species as far as the grading is concerned. Acquiring a high grade Bee Shrimp is not such a bad idea to increase the grade of the Crystal Red Shrimp. It can potentially save you a lot of money instead of purchasing a high grade Crystal Red Shrimp. Some grades can cost upwards of $1200 for a single shrimp and even more has been reported. It may seem insane but it is the truth. There are true hobbyists out there that want the rarist grades.

Acquisition

The price of the Bee Shrimp is lower than its red cousin, simply due to its lower level popularity. This is still a cool looking shrimp though. I suspect that one day this species will make a resurgence and become more popular as the Crystal Red Shrimp phase wears off. One cool thing could perhaps be a black and red Bee Shrimp, a totally new color varition. Maybe one day that will occur just as the red variation randomly occured in 1996.

Additional Photos

Bee Shrimp

Source Bee Shrimp

Bamboo Shrimp

2012-05-27T22:35:00.000+07:00

Bamboo Shrimp

Atyopsis moluccensis

Overview

The Bamboo Shrimp is one of the most interesting shrimp in the hobby. It has several different names it is associated with including the Asian Filter Shrimp, Fan Shrimp, Wood Shrimp, and a few others. Bamboo Shrimp is the name I prefer. I have kept several of this species at different periods in my shrimp keeping.

Breeding

There is one downside to the Bamboo Shrimp: it does not fully reproduce in freshwater. Like the Amano Shrimp, this species requires brackish water during the larval stage in order to successfully develop from hatching. Another downside is that all virtually all specimens sold online and in pet stores are wild-caught and not captive bred. Removing this creature from the wild and placing it in a freshwater aquarium ensures that reproduction and overall population will decline. This is not to say that keeping the Bamboo Shrimp is a bad thing, it is just a point I wanted to make since a lot of new hobbyists select this species without knowing its whereabouts and reproduction requirements. It is definitely a cool shrimp to keep.

Bamboo Shrimp

Water Parameters

I highly suggest that you place a piece of wood, rock, or similar "platform" for the Bamboo Shrimp to sit in the current. If it is difficult for this species to be in the current it will tend to climb the filter tubes or even out of the aquarium. It will search out the source of the current if it is unable to feed. Please make sure that you are allowing this creature to feed properly. Since it does not feed on fish food you must accommodate its specific needs. If you see the shrimp sifting the bottom of the tank then that is an indicator that it is not properly feeding and action on your part is required.

Feeding

The "fans" of the Bamboo Shrimp are actually appendages that filter the current of outgoing filter water for microorganisms and/or particles of food. Since it filters the current you will most likely find this species sitting peacefully in the current with its fans spread out. If you observe the feeding behavior closely you will notice that it closes the fan, puts the closed fan next to the mouth and swipes it across the mouth as to sort of "lick" it. I will try to get an up-close shot of the mouth when this action occurs.

Coloration

The Bamboo Shrimp can assume many different colors, including red, tan, brown, and different shades of each. Some say that the coloration symbolizes the actual health of the species, but I disagree. I believe that the Bamboo Shrimp changes its coloration to blend in with its surroundings. Since the species must sit out in the open in the wild it would make sense that camouflage is required since they are sitting ducks for predators while feeding in streams. Also, perhaps the females may change colors to indicate that they are ready for mating. I will try to reach a conclusion on these theories.

Display

The Bamboo Shrimp is an enjoyable species and will spend most of its time out in the open, most likely in the current of water in the aquarium, filtering the current for food. Since this species spends most of the time out in the open fanning the current it is definitely a great "centerpiece" for an aquarium that you might want to have visitors look at. Its fans and interesting appearance will always intrigue guests and will spark conversation. It is extremely peaceful and can be shy if uncomfortable/unhealthy.

Source Bamboo Shrimp

Amano Shrimp

2012-05-27T22:07:00.001+07:00

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Overview

Amano Shrimp

The Amano Shrimp is a very popular shrimp in the hobby. It is second in popularity to the Red Cherry Shrimp. The name Amano Shrimp originates from the well known aquarist Takashi Amano who frequently uses the shrimp in his aquariums as algae eaters. However most people do not know that the Amano Shrimp is a difficult shrimp to breed and that virtually all Amano Shrimp are caught in the wild and then sold to hobbyists. Captive breeding has been achieved but is rare.

Popularity

As stated above the popularity originated from the aquarist Takashi Amano. Most local fish stores carry this shrimp and even the large pet chains carry it as well. Hobbyists sometimes begin with this species to due the ease of acquiring it. The notion that it is a superb algae eater also attracts aquarists who are into planted tanks. Unfortunately most of the hobbyists who acquire the Amano Shrimp do not know that it cannot be bred in freshwater and wonder why the pregnant females with many eggs never produce babies.

Deaths

It is not uncommon for the Amano Shrimp to die shortly after introduction to the aquarium. Virtually all Amano Shrimp are wild caught and are not used to captive conditions. Also, a lack of feeding can cause death as well. Most first timers keeping these shrimp think that they are solely algae eaters and can live off of the tank and require no food. You must feed this shrimp. Deaths are also caused by stress from shipping, handling, lack of acclimation to new conditions and from being introduced to multiple tank parameters. Remember that the Amano Shrimp is caught in the wild. It goes through a lot of stress during capture and during shipping around the world. Once it reaches the local fish stores it undergoes even more stress. When it ultimately ends up in the hobbyists tank it can be marked for death regardless of what the hobbyist does to keep it alive. Do not be surprised if this shrimp dies on you shortly after introduction.

Breeding

As stated before the Amano Shrimp requires brackish water in order to breed successfully. The pregnant females carry many eggs, most likely due to the loss rate of the larvae after hatching. The shrimp hatches as a tiny larvae free floating in the water. It is not like other shrimp which hatch as miniature adults. The larvae are very delicate and require special care. Below is a quick run down on information required to breed this species in captivity. It is a difficult task to captive breed the Amano Shrimp. However, if you are up for the challenge then good luck. It is definitely an achievement if you are successful!

Captive Breeding

The adults are kept in a 40 gallon 'breeder' tank with a sponge filter and lots of hornwort. The pH is close to neutral and the temperature around 75 degrees F. They eat 'GP Pellets' plus the occasional algae tablet -- there's also a lot of hair algae in the tank, more than they can keep up with.

Larvae are raised in full-strength (35 ppt) seawater that's pea-green with Tetraselmis algae. No supplemental foods are added. The latest batch was raised in a 2.5-gallon tank -- there was somewhat high mortality, so more space may've been helpful.

I've tried a variety of raising conditions. So far, the best results are with:

24-hour lighting

Gentle aeration

mid-70's Farenheit

In those conditions the larvae began metamorphosing into postlarvae after about 20 days. Higher temperatures seem to slow development. It took just about 6 months for a full life-cycle from hatching to egg production.

Feeding

It is recommended that the Amano Shrimp be fed like any other shrimp in the hobby. Using this species solely for the purpose of algae eating will not suffice in the long term for the shrimps health. These are rather large shrimp and require a good supply of food. They eat anything from blanched spinach, zucchini, algae wafers, shrimp pellets, fish flakes, bloodworms, and more. Feeding is best done once a day. Only feed an amount of food that the shrimp can finish within 2-3 hours maximum. It is not good to feed in excess and have food sitting for too long.

Additional Photos

Source Amano Shrimp

African Filter Shrimp

2012-05-27T21:57:00.000+07:00

African Filter Shrimp

Overview

African Filter Shrimp by Leonard

The African Filter Shrimp, also known as Vampire Shrimp or Giant African Filter Shrimp, is a rare commodity in the freshwater invertebrate hobby. It is similar to the Asian Filter Shrimp in that it is a filter feeder with fans which it uses to filter fast moving water. It catches tiny particles in its fans and "licks" them clean at random.

I have not kept this particular species so I cannot really offer more information about it. I am hoping to one day be able to bring this import this species but acquiring them from Africa may can be difficult.

Will update with more information as it comes...

Photo by Alexandre LeBlanc