Freshwater ghost shrimp from the Palaemonetes genus, also known as glass shrimp, are hardy shrimp often used as feeders due to their low price. However, they're also easy, fun additions to the aquarium and a great choice for anyone looking to gain some experience in shrimp keeping.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about ghost shrimp care and keeping these translucent shrimp in your aquarium!

Scientific nameGenus Palaemonetes, particularly Palaemonetes paludosus
Common namesGhost shrimp, glass shrimp, freshwater glass shrimp
Difficulty levelEasy
OriginNorth America

Ghost shrimp appearance & natural habitat

Appearance

The name "ghost shrimp" can be a little confusing, as it's commonly applied to various translucent freshwater shrimp. True ghost shrimp belong to the genus Palaemonetes, of which Palaemonetes paludosus (also called grass shrimp or glass shrimp) is most commonly found in the aquarium trade.

Whisker shrimp in particular, and Amano shrimp to a lesser degree, may be mislabeled as ghost shrimp in aquarium stores. The latter is not a problem, as Amanos are peaceful and efficient algae eaters. The former can be an issue, because whisker shrimp are larger and more aggressive than ghosts. Make sure you're buying the right shrimp!

A true ghost shrimp grows to around 2" in length. It has a translucent body with fine speckling and a significant back hump. Look for orange bands around the antennae and front claws: if those are present, it's definitely Palaemonetes paludosus.

Natural habitat

Did you know that the ghost shrimp is naturally found in North America? It's perfect for a USA native species-centered aquarium! Palaemonetes paludosus calls the eastern part of the country home, from Massachusetts to Wisconsin in the north and Florida to eastern Texas in the south.

Ghost shrimp aren't very picky about habitat. Their only real requirement is for plenty of aquatic vegetation to be present, as this helps them hide from predators. The shrimp can be found in lakes, ponds, streams, and similar—they've even popped up in brackish areas. However, this likely mostly happens by accident, as ghost shrimp are decidedly a freshwater species.

The IUCN Red List considers Palaemonetes paludosus to be a species of Least Concern, meaning it's not threatened in the wild. The population appears to be stable; ghost shrimp are actually an introduced species in parts of the country. In fact, the government introduced it in the lower Colorado River itself.

Setting up a ghost shrimp aquarium

Requirements

One of the reasons ghost shrimp are one of the most popular invertebrate species in the aquarium hobby is because they're so easy to keep alive. They don't require a specialized aquarium set-up and a tank of at least 10 gallons (38L) should be large enough to sustain a colony. You can keep around three ghost shrimp per gallon without any issues.

As always, your aquarium should be filtered and fully cycled before any shrimp are added. Although ghost shrimp can handle a relatively wide temperature range, it's usually a good idea to always use a heater to prevent sudden temperature fluctuations.

Like all shrimp, this species can become skittish if the aquarium lacks hiding places. Palaemonetes shrimp love a heavily planted tank! If you want to see your shrimps' natural (foraging) behavior be sure to use plenty of live plants, hides like shrimp tubes and flats, driftwood, and natural rocks.

Water quality

Palaemonetes shrimp are popular as feeder shrimp because they're known to be hardy and can handle bad water quality fairly well. This makes it easy to ship and house them in massive amounts; after all, if a few die, it's not like a lot of money is lost.

Obviously, things are a little different if you keep these shrimp in your display aquarium. If you want them to live a long and happy life, it's important to keep the water quality high. That means the tank should always be fully cycled (zero ammonia, zero nitrite and nitrates as low as possible).

Overstocking is not much of a worry if you only keep ghost shrimp, as their bioload is very low, but it's something to keep in mind if you're going for a community tank. Room temperature is fine, but as discussed above it's a good idea to still use a heater as backup.

pH: 7.0-7.8

Temperature: 65-82 °F/18-27.5 °C

Water hardness: 3-15 dkh

Ghost shrimp (Palaemonetes sp.)

Tankmates

Because they are a little larger than dwarf shrimp, there is less risk of your Palaemonetes shrimp being eaten by their tankmates. That being said, you should still avoid keeping them with any fish that might have an appetite for shrimp! Peaceful tankmates are a must for any shrimp. If you're interested in actively breeding your ghost shrimp, you might want to consider setting up a single-species tank, as the larvae are very vulnerable.

Keep in mind that ghost shrimp are known to be slightly more aggressive than dwarf shrimp. Fish with long fins, such as Bettas, might be damaged by these opportunistic feeders.

Can ghost shrimp live with red cherry shrimp?

Yes, they can. The species are compatible and won't harm each other. They can't interbreed, though.

Can ghost shrimp live with goldfish?

No, we don't see the possibility of a harmonious co-existence there. Goldfish are omnivorous underwater vacuums that will consume a ghost shrimp if they can.

Ghost shrimp diet

Do ghost shrimp eat algae? Are they a good addition to your aquarium as part of your 'cleaning crew'? Good news: the answer is yes to both!

One of the reasons Palaemonetes shrimp aren't just appreciated as feeders is their diet. These shrimp are omnivorous scavengers that will eat pretty much anything they come across, while maintaining a low bioload. They will consume leftover foods, decaying plant matter, and yes, algae too. In fact, algae make up the bulk of their diet in the wild.

If your aquarium is very clean, your shrimp likely can't find enough to eat by themselves. You can supplement their diet with anything from algae wafers to frozen foods such as mosquito larvae.

Breeding ghost shrimp

Breeding Palaemonetes shrimp is a little different from breeding dwarf shrimp. They don't hatch as miniature versions of their parents like many other shrimp species do. Rather, they pass through a larval stage during which they are very vulnerable and easily (accidentally) damaged or killed.

To breed your shrimp, set up a single-species aquarium with a sponge filter. Make sure your shrimp colony contains both males and females and plant the tank heavily to provide the larvae with a place to hide and feed on infusoria and biofilm. Make sure your water values are perfect and you should soon start seeing females carrying small green eggs between their swimmerets. That's it!

Ghost shrimp eggs hatch in around three weeks. You probably won't see the larvae much at first, but they should come out of hiding once they're large enough to feel safe out in the open.

Tip: Still not sure how to get your shrimp to reproduce? You can find all the details you need and more in our full guide to breeding ghost shrimp!

Frequently asked questions

How long do ghost shrimp live?

Palaemonetes shrimp lifespan isn't quite as long as that of some of the other invertebrates we've discussed here on the blog. They can live for 1-1.5 years, but that's their potential lifespan.

A ghost shrimp kept in a dirty feeder tank may not make it more than a couple of weeks, but there's no guarantee either way.

Do ghost shrimp need a heater?

Usually not. After all, the ideal water temperature for ghost shrimp is between 65-82 °F, which falls within room temperature range. However, we generally still recommend using a heater to prevent temperature swings and to help keep things stable.

Are ghost shrimp aggressive?

That depends: because various species from the Palaemonetes genus are sold in aquarium stores as juveniles, there's a chance your shrimp can end up growing very large and somewhat aggressive. Be sure to ask the pet store if they know what kind of shrimp their ghosts are. Palaemonetes paludosus, the American glass shrimp, is a great, non-aggressive option.

One species to avoid if you're worried about aggressive shrimp is the very similar Macrobrachium lanchesteri, which is unfortunately sold under the same name sometimes.

How often do ghost shrimp molt?

Molting frequency decreases with age, but even mature shrimp molt around once a month. You might not see your shrimp during shedding time, as they feel vulnerable and tend to hide for a day or two.

Are ghost shrimp nocturnal?

The common American glass shrimp, Palaemonetes paludosus, officially is. Luckily that doesn't mean you won't see yours at all during the day. In the aquarium, they're still relatively active when it's light.

Why do my ghost shrimp keep dying?

There are many possible causes. Are you buying low-quality Palaemonetes shrimp meant as feeders? They may have been permanently damaged by low water quality or even be one of the species that lives in brackish water. And speaking of low water quality, have you done a test using a liquid water testing kit yet? Have you checked you're following all the instructions in this care guide?

If you're truly stumped, feel free to leave a comment below describing your situation. We're happy to share any insights we may have.

Why is my ghost shrimp turning white?

These shrimp can turn white when they're about to molt. It may also happen when they're at the end of their lifespan (due to old age) or if they're stressed due to low water quality. Time to whip out your water test kit!

It is normal for a Palaemonetes shrimp to change color, but a normal color change would usually involve the appearance of more brown coloration, not a milky white appearance.

Buying ghost shrimp

Palaemonetes shrimp are one of the most common shrimp species in the aquarium hobby and you shouldn't have too much trouble finding them. Because they are often used as feeders, you might be able to find them at your local pet- or aquarium store for a low price. However, keep in mind that these shrimp might not be healthy. They might also be one of the species that actually requires brackish water.

You can also find 100% healthy freshwater ghost shrimp that don't turn into huge monsters (Palaemonetes paludosus) at The Shrimp Farm with live arrival guarantee. Just click here to buy your shrimp!