Warning: Contains magnified photos of insects!
Starting from 2021.08.12, there will be magnified photos of insects - don't be scared! There's a warning line below (I found it disgusting the first time I saw it too).
Everything by Coincidence?!
Originally, I just wanted to buy a few fish to keep with my last remaining cherry barb. On impulse, I saw some small shrimp and wanted to buy them (haha). After asking the aquarium staff, they said fish and rice shrimp could be kept in the same tank, so I kept fish and shrimp together for quite a while.
At that time, I bought a new aquarium set and some small fish. In total, I bought: 3 fluorescent yellow zebra fish, 3 fluorescent blue zebra fish, 2 pink fluorescent fish, 5 neon tetras, 1 small anubias, 1 hornwort, 1 unknown red-green aquatic plant, and 5 fire red rice shrimp. Since I didn't do my homework beforehand, trouble started immediately!
Within a week, all 5 neon tetras were bitten to death one after another. After observation, I confirmed the culprits were the zebra fish! So I urgently moved all the aggressive zebra fish to a small tank, quickly consulted experienced friends and family to ensure no more casualties, then put the zebra fish back in the main tank with the remaining fish. So far, there have been no more casualties!
After the tragic death of the neon tetras, I decided to move the 5 fire shrimp out for independent breeding, thus creating this 'mini rice shrimp tank'!
Initial Shrimp Tank Setup - Everything Was a Mess!
The initial shrimp tank didn't look like this - it was an insect box with no external filter or aeration equipment, just water scooped from the original fish tank. Perhaps because the water was pre-cycled, the shrimp actually survived safely for a few days, then trouble struck again!
After raising them for a week and thinking there were no problems, I bought 10 more fire shrimp to keep with the original 5. After observing for a few days, I noticed the shrimp were all clustered on the anubias leaves near the water surface. After researching, I learned this might be due to oxygen deficiency. Shrimp are more delicate than fish and more sensitive to water quality, so I quickly bought an external filter, helping the shrimp move for the third time!
When raising shrimp and fish, really remember not to get itchy hands! Constantly changing tanks, moving aquatic plants around, or randomly adding water! Due to lack of breeding knowledge and not building a complete system, coupled with drastic changes in a short period, the shrimp had daily casualties, which was really heartbreaking! However, it was precisely because of this that I wanted to record the process of this first tank.
Breeding Environment
Shrimp tank dimensions: 18 x 12 x 16 cm. It's a betta fish tank, a mini tank.
Tank configuration: 100-130 L/H mini external filter + 6 cm mini thermometer + LED plant growth light, bare tank, no substrate. Rechargeable small fan, not used later, and wanted to replace the external filter with a sponge filter, but the tank crashed before I could make the change.
Water conditions: Yilan, filtered water. Added photosynthetic bacteria irregularly in the mid-to-late period.
Lighting duration: 6-8 hours daily. Later, for a period, it was kept by the window with natural light, so the light wasn't turned on.
Tank inhabitants: 1 small anubias + 3-4 hornwort stems. Originally had 15 fire shrimp that died one after another. After adding the external filter, because the water flow was too strong, I filled the tank with hornwort to try to reduce the water flow speed.
Feeding method: Originally thought the shrimp would eat the roots of aquatic plants, but they seemed to be starving, so I occasionally fed them green algae tablets or algae threads (but the shrimp didn't like algae threads). Because there were few shrimp, algae grew faster in the tank, so the shrimp mainly fed on algae in the tank. Later, I fed them Shrimp King meat food a few times.
Special notes: Because it was kept in the living room where eco-friendly incense is burned daily with poor ventilation, some incense ash would fall into the water.
Beginner Rice Shrimp Breeding Records
The close-up photos of shrimp in this article were all taken directly with a phone + phone macro lens,Science Maker 's phone macro lens has two lenses that can be freely used to change focal length, and has better magnification than macro lenses sold on the market! (To get a phone macro lens, please refer to:How to Get a Phone Microscope from Science Maker? Registration Notes). Content before 2021.07.29 is based on photo review, and daily record updates started after 2021.07.29.
Bought from aquarium and kept with fish. Water was pre-cycled for a week.
First move for the shrimp, using water from the original fish tank to keep them in an insect box. The insect box dimensions were very similar to the mini tank. At this time, there were only 5 fire shrimp, with one clearly injured in the head, no activity, and would flip upside down.
In the afternoon, observed the injured rice shrimp - recovery was good, already able to move freely, but they only stayed on leaves near the water surface, still seeming very weak. First time observing that rice shrimp legs are transparent.
Today observed that the injured rice shrimp still survived, with very low activity, only staying on leaves near the water surface.
Second move for the shrimp, kept in a bucket, all old water replaced with filtered water (this was the wrong approach). At this time, added 10 more, totaling 15 fire shrimp.
Third move for the shrimp, moved to the mini tank, all old water again replaced with filtered water (this was the wrong approach). During the move, found 1 dead at the bottom (felt like the previously injured one). Using 100-130 L/H mini external filter + 6 cm mini thermometer, before this there was no aeration or filtration. Environmental changes were too drastic. At this time, at least 10 shrimp were still alive.
During this period, shrimp died one after another. The injured shrimp died. One day found one had been eaten down to remains. One morning, two died.
From the time of purchase until now, first time discovering fire shrimp with golden back expression. Today noticed the shrimp shells starting to change, with most shrimp developing large white spots. Could this be due to illness from high temperature? Or is it actually molting behavior? Still observing, but one is definitely showing golden back expression with very obvious lines.
In the morning, found 1 shrimp dead in the aquatic plants, picked it up and fed it to the fish. Changed 1/3 of the water. At noon, scooped a small ball of algae from the lotus pot and put it in the corner of the shrimp tank. Found 2 shrimp foraging and even fighting over the algae. In the evening, found 1 shrimp successfully molted and was eating its own shell.
Added water. In the morning, found shrimp eating the molted shell - must have molted successfully! Removed the uneaten algae from the lotus pot. Because the tank was full of aquatic plants, only 6 shrimp could be observed alive, with 1 near the filter intake showing low activity. Because a fan was added above the water surface, added water again at noon. At 24°C, found 4 shrimp at the bottom of the tank with little activity.
About Temperature:
Before putting in a thermometer, I didn't pay much attention to temperature, only knowing that rice shrimp are suitable for growth at 22-28°C. But after putting in a thermometer, I was shocked to realize that Taiwan's July water temperature can reach 32°C. After researching other shrimp enthusiasts' tank temperatures, I found that in summer it's easy to reach 32°C. Some shrimp enthusiasts say rice shrimp can still live and even carry eggs and produce offspring, but others say exceeding 30°C is like 'cooking shrimp'.
Regardless, 32°C is indeed high temperature for rice shrimp, not a comfortable temperature, so we should try to lower the water temperature as much as possible. Regular noon water temperature is about 32°C. If the living room has air conditioning and a circulating fan is added to move air above the fish tank, it can drop to 28°C. If a small rechargeable fan is added next to the shrimp tank to blow on the water surface, the temperature can drop to 24°C - such a big drop is really a miracle! Probably because the water volume is small, temperature changes are more dramatic. With air conditioning off and poor indoor ventilation, using only a small fan gives 28°C.
30°C at noon. Added water. Added several ceramic rings to the external filter compartment, otherwise it originally only had a thin black bio sponge and a card-type activated carbon plate. Afternoon with air conditioning plus fan: 24°C. Fed 1/4 green algae tablet. Confirmed 6 shrimp remaining in tank. Added water in the evening.
Because it was a temporary tank setup with incomplete aquarium knowledge, only 6 survived. In the future, when setting up a shrimp tank, the water should be cycled for at least a month, otherwise it's a very harmful environment for shrimp.
Recently been observing the expression patterns on rice shrimp body surfaces. As long as green algae tablets are placed, they will definitely attract rice shrimp for good observation! Although originally bought from the aquarium labeled as fire shrimp, they might have been mixed before, so there are more expression patterns (because I saw another tank with mixed colors below). If raising again in the future, I would prefer to buy from breeders with more stable genetic forms.
According to many shrimp and plant enthusiasts' sharing, environments without chillers for cooling are very unfavorable for aquatic life. Summer is not a friendly season for raising shrimp and aquatic plants, mainly because the temperature is too high. When temperature is too high, the expression patterns of rice shrimp and aquatic plants will be affected. Since adding a rechargeable fan, water needs to be added morning and evening daily. To avoid drastic water quality fluctuations, each time I use a dropper to slowly add 15ml, 15ml. After making a 'drip box', it became much more convenient!
Near noon 31°C, turned on fan to drop to 30°C. Added water. Fed 1/4 green algae tablet. All 6 shrimp are lively and active, hoping the current environment has reached balance. Today researched some literature to learn how to distinguish males from females. Most in the tank are male shrimp, very few females. Looking forward to the day of baby shrimp.
While watching shrimp eat algae, I kept thinking about the golden back expression issue. When talking about golden back, it's easy to intuitively think of yellow golden back expression in rice shrimp. Other colors seem less commonly seen. Is it because purifying golden back expression is more difficult? Why do few people mention red rice shrimp golden back expression in the market? Is it because people don't like it? Or is the genetic expression less stable? Haven't found the answer to this question yet.
Found two molted shells. Noon 31°C, air-conditioned room, no fan, 27-28°C. Added water.
There was one black shrimp that was constantly flying around, and the other shrimp hid away. When I saw the black shrimp, I was really shocked - the red almost completely faded, and it was constantly flying around all day, making it difficult to take photos. This colored fire shrimp was the red golden back that was very bright and thin before. Could the red golden back be a sign of returning to ancestral forms?
Morning 31°C. Air-conditioned room 28°C. Found a shrimp stuck between aquatic plants not moving for over a day, today poked it and confirmed it died. So sad😢 Now 5 shrimp remaining in tank, but when feeding 1/4 green algae tablet, only found 4 shrimp, one is missing. Could it be that without pre-cycling water for 30 days, the tank is doomed to crash? Originally wanted to record for 30 days, but now the situation looks bad.
Notes
Thanks to Shrimp King goddess for late-night guidance, this red golden back is actually the 'blue meat' that Shrimp King mentioned inthe Bloody Mary episode. Never expected to accidentally capture this photo~ Usually when lights are just turned on/off, or environment is unsuitable, shrimp will become like this.
Morning 5:50 major earthquake, because water level was low, no issues occurred, 32°C, fan cooled to 30°C. When throwing 1/4 green algae tablet, still found 5 shrimp - really great!
Morning 31°C. Added fan to drop to 30°C. Afternoon found 1 dead. Sucked up shrimp waste at bottom.
Morning 31°C, added fan 29°C. When feeding 1/4 green algae tablet, still 4 shrimp. Afternoon - shrimp tank moved! This time didn't change water, just moved shrimp tank to window-side position in living room, because new 2-foot tank arrived. Will use 2-foot tank for shrimp in future.
Morning added water. Positioned by window with natural light. At noon removed the anubias, only hornwort left inside. Found an empty shell. When feeding 1/4 green algae tablet, still 4 shrimp. All 4 are male shrimp, why do female shrimp seem to die more easily?
Morning 30°C, 3 rice shrimp active, 1 rice shrimp close to water surface. Yesterday's molted shell wasn't eaten, today another shell appeared. Shrimp eating algae while clinging to tank wall.
Morning found the shrimp close to water surface had died. Remaining three confirmed to be male shrimp.
Sucked up shrimp waste. Added water. Today received Shrimp King shrimp food, threw one in, 3 shrimp ate until only powder remained, seems pretty good.
Noon 32°C. Shrimp still eating yesterday's food scraps. Added 10cc PSBlab photosynthetic bacteria to shrimp tank, shrimp activity normal. First time using water quality test kit today - didn't test before, but once tested, it's off the charts! No wonder shrimp kept dying, NO3 levels super high, need to work hard on water changes these days!
Note: Test reagents must be thoroughly and slowly shaken when used, and rinsed immediately after testing.
Warning: There are many magnified photos of insects coming up! First time viewing may feel disgusting, those who are sensitive should close this page immediately.
Evening changed half the tank water, found that after water level dropped, algae attached to tank walls had started turning white with foul odor, cleaned slightly with sponge. After adding water, found many microorganisms moving on tank walls - planaria. Below is how they look under super objective and research-grade phone microscope:
Today was unbearably hot, temperature reached 33°C, turned on air conditioning during lunch to cool down.
Yesterday caught a strange worm in the shrimp tank, asked in the Science Maker group, got the result 'planaria'. Although I knew what planaria looked like from reading Hansheng Encyclopedia as a child, this was the first time discovering planaria in a shrimp tank. The triangular head wasn't very obvious. After researching, learned that there are actually many types of planaria - really amazing!
Below is a video of observing planaria using various scientific instruments:
Besides planaria, also found several long worms in the tank longer than planaria, constantly wriggling on the water surface or wrapped around hornwort leaves. Used a dropper to suck up all the visible ones!
Morning 32°C, found 1 molted shell. Discovered new insects in shrimp tank 'cyclops', harmless to shrimp. Observed with super objective, compared to planaria they seem quite cute!
Previously only observed the front of the shrimp tank. Today on impulse, observed all four sides of the shrimp tank separately. Found that the black sponge in the back external filter box was full of long worms - really terrifying! No wonder couldn't suck them all up, they were hiding here. Completely don't know how to handle this, can only use microscope first to confirm what these things actually are!
Later asked in the Science Maker group again, learned they belong to the Naididae family, commonly called protein worms or detritus worms, couldn't find the exact scientific name.
After sucking up all visible worms, cleaned the external filter's intake sponge - it was full of worms. Roughly estimated over 50, really shocking that an 18cm mini tank could have so many worms!
Temperature about 29°C, changed half the water, after changing added filtered water that had been sitting for about 3 days + photosynthetic bacteria. Every time photosynthetic bacteria is added to the shrimp tank, the shrimp are very energetic and lively.
Today made a new DIY drip box, much better than the last one, can control water flow rate.
30°C, one shrimp failed to molt, had a small piece stuck to its body. Used tweezers to grab the half-molted shell, shrimp struggled and swam away, shell came off successfully.
First time seeing shrimp molt unsuccessfully. Could it be because the water added yesterday had been sitting for several days, causing this result? Better not randomly change water in the future!
Evening observed the shrimp tank, the shrimp that failed to molt died! Really heartbreaking. In the future, must not randomly change breeding environment conditions, and don't interfere with shrimp's life.
Removed yesterday's dead, uneaten shrimp. Added water.
32°C, weather still very hot, air-conditioned room at noon for cooling. Today for the 2-foot tank cycling bacteria needs, sucked up bottom shrimp waste, but this is really too much, didn't we just change water two days ago?
Remember when this tank first started, the water was super clear and clean, only had one small anubias and a few hornwort stems, almost no waste at the bottom. Always thought shrimp would find food themselves, now realize that period the tank was too clean, so rice shrimp couldn't find food to eat. Those earlier rice shrimp were probably starved to death!
Now the mini shrimp tank is full of various microorganisms, tank walls covered with algae, even hornwort has a layer of biofilm, and Naididae worms inside. I think the current water condition is the real shrimp breeding environment - a food-rich environment.
Owner not home~
As of today, 2 shrimp remaining. Today bought 20 colorful rice shrimp from Taipei aquarium street to add to mini tank. Because numbers and colors increased, observation became more difficult, so the mini tank breeding records end here! The 2-foot tank water cycling is almost complete, looking forward to the large tank breeding process.
Changed half the water.
These remaining two shrimp are already much larger than when they started, probably near the end of their lifespan. After adding 20 more colorful rice shrimp, the golden back red rice shrimp was eaten down to just its shell, the other one is still alive.
Moved all newly purchased colorful rice shrimp to the 2-foot tank, starting a new life~