Frequently Asked Questions about Shrimp

Some of the most common questions we receive at The Shrimp Farm are;

  • * How will the shrimp come packaged?
  • * Will you inlcude a heat/cold pack? Do you charge for heat/cold packs?
  • * Can shrimp last that long in transit?  

 

Find the answers below to these questions, along with other popular FAQ's. If you don't see the answer to your question, give us a quick email and we will get back to you asap. Customer Service Email

Winter Shipping


We take great pride in getting your shrimp to you in not only a timely manner, but the safest way possible. So, if the temperature is within a particular cold range, we will always include a heat pack at NO extra charge.
During the winter months, we utilize up to two forms of insulation (loose insulation and/or a Styrofoam inner container). This method has allowed us to send shrimp to areas in the US where nightly lows were in the single digits. This Styrofoam inner container custom fits our cardboard outer containers and seals extremely well with a unique (almost air tight) seal that utilizes a special overlapping-joint-design....drastically reducing the affects of the outside temperatures. 

Summer Shipping

The Shrimp Farm successfully ships our aquarium shrimp in temperatures up to 100° F. Along with cold packs, we utilize the same unique, molded Styrofoam shipping container that is mentioned above. This special Styrofoam box seals extremely well and drastically reduces the affects of the outside temperatures. This method allows us the ability to get your shrimp to their destination, alive and well!

In the rare event you have a DOA, simply follow our Live Arrival Guarantee instructions and we will gladly take care of you.

How many shrimp can I put in my aquarium?
You can have up to 10 dwarf shrimp per 1 gallon of water. For example: A 10 gallon aquarium COULD house up to 100 dwarf shrimp. However, a great starting point could be 5 shrimp per 1 gallon of water.

What is a dwarf shrimp?
A dwarf shrimp is (for the purposes of this website) a freshwater aquarium shrimp. They are mostly Caridina or Neocaridina spp.

How big of a tank do dwarf shrimp need?
Most dwarf shrimp do not require much space. A 5 gallon aquarium is about all that is needed as long as the tank has adequate filtration and water changes are performed once per week.

What type of filter should I use?
A sponge filter is the best filter for a shrimp only aquarium. Another good option is a corner box filter. Most power filters will suck smaller shrimp into the filter and kill them, so they are not recommended.

How long will dwarf shrimp live?
Most dwarf shrimp live between 1.5 and 3 years. There are some very long lived shrimp, such as the ope ula (Hawaiian Red Shrimp). This shrimp can live beyond 20 years in captivity.

How big will dwarf shrimp get?
Most dwarf shrimp stay between 1.5 and 2.5 inches. There are a few species that get larger and a few smaller species as well. Many Macrobrachium species can get very large and are not suited to aquarium life.

How can I get my shrimp to breed?
As long as there are both a male and a female in an aquarium with suitable water parameters most dwarf shrimp will breed naturally. The female will carry the eggs under her tail until they hatch. Many species will hatch as smaller versions of their adult parents and some will go thru many larval stages that require sea water to survive.

How can I tell a male from a female?
Most dwarf shrimp species are fairly easy to tell the difference. The female is usually the larger and more colorful. In species where the male is just as colorful, you can tell by the female being a little larger when full grown, and also having a broader and rounder tail.

How do I raise the young?
If the young shrimp is a miniature version of the adult they require no special attention. They will eat the same foods as the adults and have the same water requirements. If the young have larval stages (like Amano Shrimp) the rearing of the young is much more difficult. Read the Amano Shrimp profile to get an idea.

Do dwarf shrimp eat their young?
Most species of dwarf shrimp will not eat their young. 

What do dwarf shrimp eat?
Most dwarf shrimp are omnivores. They will eat just about anything in an aquarium that is edible. Many of the shrimp will eat the algae that naturally occurs in aquariums. Sinking pellets and blanched (boiled until soft) vegetables make good foods for dwarf shrimp, as well.

Can I keep fish with my dwarf shrimp?
Many fish will make a quick meal of dwarf shrimp. If the shrimp can fit in the mouth of the fish, odds are the fish will eat the shrimp. There are a few peaceful small mouthed fish that work well with shrimp such as neon and cardinal tetras, Endlers Livebearers, and smaller rasboras. If you are planning on breeding dwarf shrimp and raising the young it is not suggested to have any fish in the aquarium with the shrimp.
List of Recommended Fish

Will different shrimp species breed with each other?
Yes, most Neocaridina species will breed with other Neocaridina species and many Caridina species will breed with other Caridina species. Neocaridina species will not breed with Caridina species. It is not recommended to keep any species that may interbreed with each other. Compatibility Chart

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