Saltwater Shrimp Selection Disappointment

[youclowntoomuch]

Since getting into saltwater Ive been absolutely blown away by the amount of variety you can find in fish. This doesnt seem to extend to shrimp however. My background is in freshwater planted shrimp tanks where I kept dozens of color morphs and species as well as breeding and selling these shrimp. Why does it seem like there are about 10 common variety of marine shrimp, but not much else? I know there are larger shrimp but Im mainly referring to the smaller , common variety. Is this niche just not as popular yet? Are there more uncommon species of marine shrimp that you wont find on liveaquaria or in the LFS?

 

[littlefoxx]

Since getting into saltwater Ive been absolutely blown away by the amount of variety you can find in fish. This doesnt seem to extend to shrimp however. My background is in freshwater planted shrimp tanks where I kept dozens of color morphs and species as well as breeding and selling these shrimp. Why does it seem like there are about 10 common variety of marine shrimp, but not much else? I know there are larger shrimp but Im mainly referring to the smaller , common variety. Is this niche just not as popular yet? Are there more uncommon species of marine shrimp that you wont find on liveaquaria or in the LFS?

The shrimps you see are really the only reef dwelling shrimps

 

[Duane family]

Hi, it sounds like you've summed up the trade situation on shrimps. I think it satisfies most reef keepers. Clearly with your exposure to fresh water species you are expecting more from tropical marine shrimps. I have no idea what to suggest it's definitely not my focus point, I'm perfectly happy with a few cleaners and a couple of fire shrimps.

 

[youclowntoomuch]

Hi, it sounds like you've summed up the trade situation on shrimps. I think it satisfies most reef keepers. Clearly with your exposure to fresh water species you are expecting more from tropical marine shrimps. I have no idea what to suggest it's definitely not my focus point, I'm perfectly happy with a few cleaners and a couple of fire shrimps.

Im definitely a shrimp fan....lol

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to saltwater aquaria!

I also do freshwater and have dabbled in those shrimp, like the Neocaridina sp. I currenly have a handful of Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) in a 15 gallon community tank.

You're not going to find the range of colors and patterns that you see in the freshwater shrimps, but in my opinion, the marine shrimp are WAY COOLER!

I mean, what are some of the marine shrimp that you're familiar with? Just of the top of my head, and I know others will suggest more:

Sexy shrimp (Thor amboinensis) - tiny little guys, but live in anemones (not required) and shake their little backsides like they are on the dance floor lol!

Pistol shrimp, various genera - cool little guys who can close their one big claw so fast that you can hear an audible "pop" - like a pistol - from outside the tank. And, some genera of these pistol or snapping shrimp form a symbiotic relationship with some genera of Goby fish. The mostly blind shrimp will spend all day building and maintaining a borrow that both the fish and shrimp live in. The Goby fish will sit and watch for danger, and at the first sign of trouble the fish whips its tail, which alerts the shrimp, and both the fish and shrimp will dart back into their borrow. I mean, that's way cool to have in your tank!

Fire Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata debelius) - Way cool! Large, vibrant red and white. This is one of my favorite, mine goes crazy when I feed the tank.

Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) - Another cleaner shrimp, but also useful for controlling aptasia anemones, which can be a problem in reef tanks.

Coral Banded Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) - Just look at this guy! You don't see a shrimp like that in freshwater:

Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera picta) - Maybe the coolest looking shrimp of all! These guys have a very specific diet, and are not necessarily for beginner reefers, but you cannot beat how this shrimp looks:

Honestly, I think my wife and I both like the shrimps, crabs and "critters" more than the fish and corals lol!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Fish Fan]

I'll follow up with one more thought....

Technically NOT a shrimp, but often referred to as a shrimp, is the Mantis. These are critters called gastropods, and without getting into too much here, these dudes are beyond cool, in my opinion. They are thought to have some of the most complex eyes in the entire animal kingdom, they are smart, active and capable creatures. They are dedicated and expert predictors, and will kill most other animals in the tank with them (sometimes seemingly just for "fun"), including fish, and inverts like shrimp, crabs, snails, etc. For that reason, they are best kept alone in a species tank, but many reefers find these animals fascinating. They are often found 'hitchhiking' on live rock, and can be obtained for free from someone who just wants one out of their reef tank. There are several genera of these animals, with different coloration and sizes.

But look at these little spuds! I mean, come on! Neocaridina shrimp, or THIS GUY LOL:

Again, best of luck!

 

[youclowntoomuch]

Welcome to saltwater aquaria!

I also do freshwater and have dabbled in those shrimp, like the Neocaridina sp. I currenly have a handful of Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) in a 15 gallon community tank.

You're not going to find the range of colors and patterns that you see in the freshwater shrimps, but in my opinion, the marine shrimp are WAY COOLER!

I mean, what are some of the marine shrimp that you're familiar with? Just of the top of my head, and I know others will suggest more:

Sexy shrimp (Thor amboinensis) - tiny little guys, but live in anemones (not required) and shake their little backsides like they are on the dance floor lol!

Pistol shrimp, various genera - cool little guys who can close their one big claw so fast that you can hear an audible "pop" - like a pistol - from outside the tank. And, some genera of these pistol or snapping shrimp form a symbiotic relationship with some genera of Goby fish. The mostly blind shrimp will spend all day building and maintaining a borrow that both the fish and shrimp live in. The Goby fish will sit and watch for danger, and at the first sign of trouble the fish whips its tail, which alerts the shrimp, and both the fish and shrimp will dart back into their borrow. I mean, that's way cool to have in your tank!

Fire Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata debelius) - Way cool! Large, vibrant red and white. This is one of my favorite, mine goes crazy when I feed the tank.

Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) - Another cleaner shrimp, but also useful for controlling aptasia anemones, which can be a problem in reef tanks.

Coral Banded Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) - Just look at this guy! You don't see a shrimp like that in freshwater:

Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera picta) - Maybe the coolest looking shrimp of all! These guys have a very specific diet, and are not necessarily for beginner reefers, but you cannot beat how this shrimp looks:

Honestly, I think my wife and I both like the shrimps, crabs and "critters" more than the fish and corals lol!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Im kind of the same way. Shrimp fascinate me. Also I agree with the statement that marine shrimp are wayyy cooler and more unique. Like I said earlier though , I am surprised at the lack of interest and popularity shrimp have on the marine side.

 

[Jmp998]

I don’t know much about the freshwater shrimp-but aren’t many of the amazing color varieties the result of selective breeding/aquaculture? This is much harder in saltwater shrimp, which are much more challenging to breed in captivity as opposed to Neocardinia etc which I understand are easily bred in a large jar.

 

[Fish Fan]

I don’t know much about the freshwater shrimp-but aren’t many of the amazing color varieties the result of selective breeding/aquaculture? This is much harder in saltwater shrimp, which are much more challenging to breed in captivity as opposed to Neocardinia etc which I understand are easily bred in a large jar.

^Yep!

Im kind of the same way. Shrimp fascinate me. Also I agree with the statement that marine shrimp are wayyy cooler and more unique. Like I said earlier though , I am surprised at the lack of interest and popularity shrimp have on the marine side.

I'm not so sure there's a lack of interest, it's just that like @Jmp998 said, we can't breed these shrimp in captivity the way the freshwater shrimp can breed. So you can't isolate color strains and that kind of thing. And you won't typically see a marine tank that's focused on shrimp, I'll give you that.

And, I've been into aquaria for years, and these freshwater shrimp are a relatively newer trend. They didn't have shrimp like those years back when I started in freshwater.

But I promise you, saltwater shrimp have a large following here

 

[mpatterson42]

I'll follow up with one more thought....

Technically NOT a shrimp, but often referred to as a shrimp, is the Mantis.

I saw one of these at a LFS when I was scoping out fish I wanted to keep and became instantly hooked. I'm still planning on setting up a fish aquarium first but once that's established I'm very likely going to get one of these for my next setup.

 

[Fish Fan]

I saw one of these at a LFS when I was scoping out fish I wanted to keep and became instantly hooked. I'm still planning on setting up a fish aquarium first but once that's established I'm very likely going to get one of these for my next setup.

They are very cool, in my opinion!

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/mantis-shrimp.953/