What Do Shrimp Fry Need and Why Are They So Delicate?

Shrimp fry are born teeny-tiny, like really small—think about the size of a grain of rice, but even smaller. These little shrimplets are already fully-formed shrimp, just in miniature. That being said, they are also pretty fragile. For beginners or anyone just starting out with shrimp breeding, it is easy to underestimate just how much attention these little guys need. Without the right environment, they are toast.

Now, Neocaridina shrimp, like Cherry Shrimp, are a bit more forgiving when it comes to water conditions. These fellas can handle a wider range of pH levels and temperatures. Caridina shrimp, like Crystal Red Shrimp, well… they are a bit fussier. They need really specific water parameters, and they are just not as tough as their Neocaridina cousins.

A little shrimp life cycle crash course:

• When They Can Start Breeding: Neocaridina shrimp usually start breeding when they hit about 4-6 months old. Caridina shrimp? They are a bit slower to the party, starting at about 6-8 months.
• Pregnancy Length: Once a shrimp is pregnant (you will see them carrying eggs under their tail, which is pretty cool to watch), it will take around 3-4 weeks for the eggs to hatch.
• Fry Stage: The fry, or shrimplets, will stay in their tiny, delicate stage for about 1-2 months. During this time, they are super vulnerable, so getting everything just right is key.

How Do You Set Up a Nursery Tank for Shrimplets?

Now, let’s talk about the home these little guys are going to live in. If you really want to give your shrimp fry the best shot at making it, setting up a dedicated nursery tank is the way to go. Sure, you could let them grow up in the main tank with the adults, but there is a good chance some of them might not make it. You do not want that!

How Big Should the Tank Be?

A 5-10 gallon tank will do the trick. Nothing too big, because it is easier to keep water parameters steady in a smaller space. Plus, shrimplets do not need a lot of room to thrive. Make sure to pack that tank with plenty of live plants. I am talking about stuff like Java Moss and Dwarf Water Lettuce. Why? Well, not only do plants provide the fry with plenty of hiding spots, but they also help the biofilm grow, which is a key food source for shrimp fry. For some guidance on shrimp tank setup, check out this guide on creating the ideal shrimp tank setup.

The Right Filtration

You will also want to go with a sponge filter. Why? Because shrimp fry are tiny and can easily get sucked into a more powerful filter. Sponge filters do the job without creating too much flow, which is perfect for our little shrimplets who are not exactly Michael Phelps when it comes to swimming. Plus, the sponge filter offers an extra surface for biofilm to grow, which is always a plus. Here’s a good option: Small Double Sponge Filter (Amazon).

Water Parameters: The Nitty-Gritty

Keeping your water parameters stable is a big deal when it comes to shrimp fry. Here is a quick cheat sheet for Neocaridina vs. Caridina water needs:

• For Neocaridina Shrimp:
  • Temperature: 70-78°F
  • pH: 6.5-8.0
  • Hardness: 6-10 dGH
• For Caridina Shrimp:
  • Temperature: 68-74°F
  • pH: 5.8-6.8
  • Hardness: 4-6 dGH

Stable water equals happy shrimp, and happy shrimp means healthy fry.

What Should You Feed Shrimp Fry and How Often?

Alright, let’s talk food. Shrimp fry are pretty resourceful little critters when it comes to feeding, but you need to give them a little help. In the wild, shrimplets munch on biofilm, algae, and other teeny-tiny microorganisms. You will want to make sure they have plenty of this stuff in their tank. But if your tank is new or does not have a lot of biofilm yet, you will need to supplement their diet.

What to Feed Shrimplets

• Powdered shrimp food: There are some great products out there like Bacter AE (Amazon), which promote biofilm growth while also giving the fry the nutrients they need.
• Algae wafers: Crush these into tiny bits so the fry can nibble on them.
• Blanched vegetables: I am talking about stuff like zucchini and spinach. Just be careful not to leave it in the tank too long, or it will start to rot and foul up the water.

How Often to Feed Them

You do not want to overdo it with the food. Shrimp fry are tiny, and they do not need much. Feed them small amounts 2-3 times a day. Any leftover food should be removed after a couple of hours so it does not spoil the water. Remember, keeping that water clean is half the battle!

How Can You Maintain Ideal Water Quality for Shrimplets?

Speaking of water, you have to keep it pristine. Shrimp fry are super sensitive to ammonia and nitrites, so your water quality has to be on point. Poor water quality is the number one killer of shrimp fry.

Water Changes: Do Them Right

I know water changes can feel like a chore, but they are essential when it comes to raising shrimp fry. You want to do small, frequent water changes. I recommend changing out about 10-15% of the water every few days. Big water changes can stress out the fry, so small and steady wins the race here.

Make sure the new water you are adding is dechlorinated and matches the temperature of the tank water. You can use a drip acclimation method to slowly introduce new water without shocking the fry.

Test Your Water!

Get yourself a good water testing kit—seriously, do not skimp here. You want to keep ammonia at 0 ppm, nitrite at 0 ppm, and nitrate under 20 ppm. Also, keep an eye on pH and hardness to make sure everything stays stable. The API Master Test Kit (Amazon) is a great choice for keeping track of these levels.

What Are the Common Challenges with Shrimp Fry and How Can You Overcome Them?

Raising shrimp fry is not always smooth sailing. Even with the best care, stuff happens. Here are a few common issues and how to handle them.

Shrimplet Mortality

This is the big one. High mortality rates can happen if water parameters are off or if there is not enough food for the fry.

What to Do: Double-check your water quality and make sure there is enough biofilm or food for the fry. Adding more live plants can help boost biofilm production, which can improve survival rates.

Adult Shrimp Being Jerks

Sometimes, adult shrimp will pick on the fry or compete with them for food.

What to Do: If you are keeping fry in the main tank, make sure there are plenty of hiding spots like Java Moss or Dwarf Water Lettuce. Better yet, consider moving the fry to a nursery tank for their own safety. You can also try using a mesh breeder box (Amazon) to keep fry safe in the same tank without letting the adults get to them.

Slow Growth

Shrimp fry not growing as fast as you would like? They might not be getting enough food.

What to Do: Make sure you are feeding them nutrient-rich foods and that they have plenty of biofilm to snack on. Just do not overfeed and mess up your water quality.

When and How Should You Move Shrimp Fry to the Main Tank?

Once your shrimp fry have grown to about ½ inch in size and are about 1-2 months old, they should be ready to move into the main tank. But do not rush it!

Acclimating Fry

When you are ready to move the fry, take it slow. You can use the drip acclimation method to slowly introduce them to the water in the main tank. You do not want to shock them with sudden changes in temperature or pH. Once they are in the main tank, make sure they have plenty of places to hide from any curious adults.