Keeping freshwater shrimp is such a rewarding hobby! Their bright colours, quirky personalities, and natural cleaning skills make them a fantastic choice for both new and experienced fishkeepers. If you’re ready to dive in, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to setting up your very first shrimp tank.

🏠 1. Choose the Right Tank Size

For beginners, a 20-litre (5-gallon) tank is a brilliant start. Smaller tanks are harder to balance, while larger tanks give shrimp more stability and space to thrive. The more water volume, the easier it is to keep everything healthy.

🪨 2. Pick the Perfect Substrate

Shrimp love a natural base. A dark substrate not only helps them feel secure but also makes their colours pop ✨. Plus, it encourages the growth of biofilm — their favourite snack.

• Neocaridina → Happy with gravel or sand.
• Caridina → Do best with active substrates that buffer the water.

🌿 3. Add Plants & Hiding Spots

Plants = happy shrimp! They provide grazing areas, hiding spots, and cleaner water. Some beginner-friendly favourites are:

• 🌱 Java Moss – A shrimp playground.
• 🌿 Anubias – Hardy and easy to care for.
• 🍃 Hornwort or Limnophila – Fast growers that help oxygenate.

Add driftwood, stones, or shrimp caves for extra shelter and a natural look.

💨 4. Gentle Filtration

Shrimp prefer calm waters. A sponge filter is ideal — it keeps water clean, offers grazing space, and won’t harm baby shrimp. Safe and simple!

🌡️ 5. Water Parameters

Consistency is everything!

• 🌡️ Temperature: 20–24°C (68–75°F) for Neocaridina, slightly cooler/softer for some Caridina.
• ⚖️ pH: 6.5–7.5 depending on species.
• 🚫 Ammonia & Nitrite: Always 0 ppm.
• 🌿 Nitrate: Below 20 ppm.

💡 Pro tip: Always cycle your tank before adding shrimp to ensure safe, stable water.

📦 6. Acclimating Your Shrimp

When your shrimp arrive, give them time to adjust. Use the drip acclimation method over 1–2 hours to avoid shock from sudden water changes. Patience pays off! 🕒

🥒 7. Feeding Time

Shrimp are little grazers, so less is more. Offer a variety of foods, such as:

• 🍽️ Shrimp pellets or wafers.
• 🥬 Blanched veg (courgette, spinach, cucumber).
• 🍄 Snowflake food & mineral sticks.

Always feed sparingly and remove uneaten food to keep the tank sparkling clean. ✨

🧽 8. Simple Maintenance

• 🔄 Weekly water changes (10–20%).
• 🧼 Rinse sponge filter when needed.
• 🧪 Regularly test your water.

Small, consistent care = thriving shrimp colony.

💙 Final Thoughts

Starting your shrimp tank is the beginning of a fun and colourful journey. With the right setup and a little love, your shrimp will thrive, breed, and bring endless joy to your aquarium.

At H&K Aquatics, we’re here to support you every step of the way — from your first shrimp to a flourishing colony. 🌟