Welcome curious aquarist! If you’re looking to add ghost shrimp to your freshwater tank, you’re likely wondering just how many of these popular invertebrates you can add without overcrowding. Ghost shrimp are a fun, inexpensive way to add activity and natural cleaning power to planted tanks and betta setups.
With their translucent bodies, they make interesting additions that stand out against brightly colored gravels and plantings.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The recommended number of ghost shrimp for a 10 gallon tank is around 5-10. This allows each shrimp 2-3 gallons of space, reducing aggression and improving water quality.
Ideal Water Parameters for Ghost Shrimp
Providing suitable water conditions is crucial for the health and longevity of ghost shrimp. Here are the optimal water parameters to create an ideal habitat for these popular crustaceans.
Temperature
Ghost shrimp prefer water temperatures between 72-82°F. Temperatures lower than 68°F can stress them out and increase susceptibility to disease. On the flip side, temperatures above 86°F can be fatal. Consider getting a tank heater or chiller if needed to maintain the temperature in the ideal range.
pH Level
The optimal pH for ghost shrimp is 6.5-7.5 as this best replicates their natural freshwater environment. Drastic pH fluctuations can induce molting problems and even death. Using a pH adjuster helps stabilize pH if needed.
GH and KH
GH (general hardness) and KH (carbonate hardness) measure calcium and magnesium content in the water. Ghost shrimp do best in moderately hard water with a GH of 8-12 and KH of 3-5. Adding mineral supplements can help achieve optimal mineral levels.
Filtration
Adequate filtration is vital since ghost shrimp are sensitive to waste accumulation and nitrogen compounds like ammonia. Most experts recommend getting a filter that processes at least 10 gallons per hour for a 10-gallon ghost shrimp tank.
Canister filters work very well but a standard hang-on-back filter also suffices for smaller setups.
Ghost Shrimp Bioload and Tank Size
Ghost Shrimp Bioload
Ghost shrimp have a very small bioload, meaning they don’t produce much waste compared to other aquarium inhabitants. Here’s a quick overview of their bioload:
- Ghost shrimp have a low bioburden since they are small in size, averaging about 1-1.5 inches long when fully grown.
- Their diet is omnivorous, feeding on small bits of leftover fish food, algae, and microorganisms. They don’t eat very much compared to fish.
- They have relatively simple digestive systems and don’t generate large amounts of ammonia or nitrates. The waste produced tends to be minimal.
- While their individual bioload is low, the bioload can add up quickly when keeping ghost shrimp in high numbers or in small tanks.
Recommended Stocking for 10 Gallon Tanks
When it comes to stocking ghost shrimp in a 10 gallon aquarium, there are a few guidelines to follow:
- Aim for no more than 10-15 ghost shrimp in a 10 gallon tank. This prevents overstocking and allows enough space for them to thrive.
- Make sure the 10 gallon tank is an established system with a fully cycled nitrogen cycle. This provides enough beneficial bacteria to handle bioload.
- Supplement with filtration like a hang-on-back filter rated for a 10-20 gallon tank. Added filtration helps manage waste.
- Perform regular partial water changes of 25-30% weekly. This removes any accumulating nitrates or waste chemicals.
- Maintain proper water parameters for ghost shrimp – temperature around 70-80°F, pH between 7-8, GH between 8-12.
Ghost shrimp are best kept in species only tanks or with small, peaceful tank mates like cherry shrimp, snails, or non-aggressive fish species. Avoid housing ghost shrimp with predatory fish that may view them as food.
Following these tips allows ghost shrimp to thrive in a 10 gallon tank without running into bioload issues. For a heavily planted tank, you may be able to add a few more ghost shrimp but 15 or less is a good target.
Tank Setup Considerations
Plants and Decor
When setting up a 10 gallon tank for ghost shrimp, including plenty of plants and decorations is important. Here are some tips:
- Live plants like Java moss, Java fern and Anubias provide hiding spots and surfaces for biofilm growth that shrimp graze on.
- Floating plants like hornwort help maintain water quality.
- Driftwood, rocks, aquarium safe decorations and clay pots create a natural environment and surfaces for algae.
- Make sure decor has no sharp edges that could harm shrimp.
Aim for a heavily planted tank to support the bio load of shrimp. Extensive plant growth helps process waste and prevent ammonia spikes.
Substrate
Choosing an appropriate aquarium substrate is important for ghost shrimp tanks.
- Fine gravel or sand allows shrimp to sift through and forage.
- Avoid painted or very sharp gravel that could damage delicate legs and gills.
- Supplementing substrate with mineral supplements supports exoskeleton growth.
- Using 2-3 inches of substrate provides room for burrowing and molting.
A mix of natural gravel and sand generally provides an ideal shrimp substrate. The sand particles are comfortable for sifting through while the gravel adds texture and stability.
Supplemental Feeding
While ghost shrimp are excellent scavengers in planted tanks, providing supplemental food improves health and population growth.
- Blanched vegetables like zucchini or spinach offer important nutrients.
- Quality shrimp pellets, flakes and wafers provide balanced nutrition.
- Offer small amounts of food at a time to prevent waste buildup.
- Supplementing with calcium-rich foods aids molting.
Feed ghost shrimp once or twice a day, removing any uneaten food to maintain water quality. Providing a diverse supplemental diet along with natural grazing in a planted tank is ideal.
Tankmates for Ghost Shrimp
Peaceful Community Fish
Ghost shrimp can be kept with small, peaceful community fish that won’t bother them like tetras, rasboras, danios, white cloud mountain minnows, platies, mollies, guppies, endlers, and peaceful catfish like corydoras.
Avoid keeping ghost shrimp with aggressive fish that may attack, nip at, or eat them like cichlids, goldfish, or angelfish. Also don’t house them with large fish that could accidentally consume your tiny shrimp.
Invertebrates
In terms of other invertebrates, ghost shrimp generally do well with snails, nerite snails, mystery snails, rabbit snails, ramshorn snails, Japanese trapdoor snails, and peaceful creatures that won’t harm them.
They can coexist nicely with Amano shrimp, bamboo shrimp, vampire shrimp, Mexican dwarf crayfish, and red cherry shrimp if given adequate space.
Cautions
Use care in mixing ghost shrimp with creatures featuring high bioloads that can quickly deteriorate water quality leading to shrimp deaths. Also be aware that all shrimp species can become territorial over food and space, so provide adequate territories.
Never add predators like a dwarf pufferfish which can pick off shrimp.
According to Aquarium Source, a 10 gallon aquarium can safely house around 10-15 ghost shrimp depending on tank size and other inhabitants. Be sure not to overstock your small tank.[1]
Conclusion
Ghost shrimp can be a fun and rewarding addition to planted freshwater tanks of 10 gallons or more. By following the guidelines above for ideal water parameters, tank setup, stocking levels, and tankmate selection, you can successfully keep these energetic little creatures.
Aim for 5-10 ghosts in a 10 gallon, provide ample hiding spots and supplemental feeding, and choose peaceful tankmates for a thriving shrimp colony.