http://forum.aqua-fish.net/ A forum devoted to aquarium fish, plants, techniques and fish keeping as a whole. en http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=freshwater-shrimps#1 freshwater shrimps make a great addition to any aquarium,as long as there are no species of fish present that could see them as a meal of course They are excellent scavengers,searching the substrate all day long , looking for uneaten food scraps. Research which species you are purchasing as some are not scavengers but hunters. Some shrimps reach an adult size of 1 inch,some can reach up to 4 inches,make sure your tank is adequate for them. They can only grow in size by moulting their exo skeletons,normally takes place on a monthly basis.Whilst this is happening ,they are at their most vulnerable,often hiding until the new skeleton hardens.Hiding places should be provided for them to assist in this difficult period. Small shrimps must be kept with peaceful fish,the larger ones must not be kept with small fish,they will see them as food. Getting the shrimps to breed requires no special water conditions,the hard part is to raise the offspring.The larvae can only digest planktonic size food.Some species may require brackish conditions for their larvae to survive ,as posted,always research. The most common species available are the ghost shrimps,Amino shrimps,Vampire shrimps,Midget shrimps and redfronted shrimps. mickey 2008-05-12 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=freshwater-shrimps#2 I kept Amano shrimp, but they weren't doing well in my tank . I am sure that they needed higher pH and dKH. Silly me... What's good for some fish species may be unacceptable for Amano shrimp. They lived maybe 6 months, but as time went by each specimen died... jan 2008-05-13 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=freshwater-shrimps#3 they actually absorb calcium from the water to develop their exo skeletons, soft water is not a good idea for them. mickey 2008-05-14