This makes choosing the right tank mates particularly important; we’ll talk about this later.
They spend most of their time at the bottom of the tank, walking across surfaces in search of food.
All shrimp molt regularly. Molting is a process where shrimp shed their old shell in order to grow a stronger one. They must do this because the shell doesn’t grow with the rest of them.
After molting, the shrimp will be particularly vulnerable because it takes a little while for their new exoskeleton to develop and harden. They will probably hide during this time to avoid damage.
 
Keep an eye on them and try not to move them.
You’ll spot their discarded shell sitting on the substrate. It’s natural to panic, and think it’s a dead shrimp, but you can tell it’s an empty casing when you look closer.
Sometimes the shrimp will eat their old shell for nutrients, but remove it if they don’t because it will pollute the tank as it decays.
These shrimps were selectively bred for a reason, these are one of the most attractive species you can buy for your tank.
Broadly speaking, they are stripy red and white but, as we mentioned earlier, this can vary based on their grade.
There are six grades: SSS, SS, S, A, B, and C.
The ‘Low quality’ shrimps in grade C are almost entirely red, with just a few thin white stripes. The ‘high quality’ shrimps are mostly white with smaller red stripes.
Advertisements