Types of Dwarf Shrimps

Neocaridina Shrimp

Neocaridina shrimps are a popular choice for both beginners and experienced shrimp keepers because they are known for their hardiness and vibrant colour. These species come in different colour shades, from the bloody mary cherry reds to the heavenly hue of blue dreams, and more, that are sure to give your aquarium a pop. Neocaridina shrimps thrive better in stable tank conditions that have abundant hiding spots and vegetation. 

Caridina Shrimp

Caridina shrimps, such as crystal red shrimp and bee shrimp, are prized for their unique patterns and behaviours. These species require specific water parameters, including pH and hardness, to thrive. Keeping these species of dwarf shrimps requires careful attention to water quality because they are more sensitive than Neocaridina shrimps. 

Setting Up a Dwarf Shrimp Tank

Creating the perfect environment for dwarf shrimps is important to ensure that they survive and stay in their healthiest conditions. Setting up their freshwater tanks involves several key considerations:

Tank size and setup

The size of the tank is crucial in keeping your dwarf shrimps healthy. When choosing the right tank size, you must consider the number of shrimps you plan to keep and the space for them to swim around, forage, and moult comfortably. Overcrowding can lead to stress and territorial issues among shrimps. Additionally, having ample space allows for proper water circulation and maintenance of water parameters.

Substrate and plants

Dwarf shrimps like to sift through the substrate to find their food, thus, selecting the appropriate substrate, such as fine sand or gravel, is important. A fine substrate prevents injury to their delicate bodies. Additionally, live aquarium plants not only enhance the visual appeal of the tank but also serve functional purposes. These plants serve as hiding spots for dwarf shrimps, reduce stress by mimicking their natural habitat, and help maintain water quality through oxygen production and nitrate absorption. 

Filtration and water parameters

Strong water flow can harm dwarf shrimps. By installing a gentle filtration system suitable for shrimp tanks, injuries can be prevented. Consider using sponge filters or low-flow filters that provide adequate filtration without creating strong currents. In addition, water parameters must be optimized and maintained. Important water parameters to manage are temperature (ideally around 72-78°F), pH (typically neutral to slightly acidic), ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Changes in water parameters can stress shrimps and compromise their health.

Cycling the tank

Before your aquarium is ready to house your cute and colourful dwarf shrimps, it must undergo cycling. Cycling is a process that involves establishing beneficial bacteria that break down harmful ammonia and nitrites into less toxic substances. This process ensures a stable and healthy environment for shrimps to thrive. To kickstart the cycling process, ammonia sources like fish food or liquid ammonia are added to the tank. Once the ammonia and nitrite levels reach zero, the tank is now ready for shrimp keeping. 

Care and Maintenance for Dwarf Shrimps

Feeding requirements

Dwarf shrimps have diverse nutritional needs, which means it’s crucial to offer them a variety of foods to keep them healthy and happy. They are typically fed with specialized shrimp pellets or granules as their main diet and supplemented with yummy blanched veggies like zucchini, spinach, or cucumber for essential vitamins and fibre. Once in a while, they also have bloodworms or brine shrimp for additional protein. 

Water quality management

The optimization of the water parameters of the aquarium is crucial in maintaining the well-being of your dwarf shrimps. To monitor these important parameters, reliable test kits should be used. Partial water changes (around 10-20% weekly) using dechlorinated water are also required to remove accumulated feeds and feces and maintain water quality. Sudden changes in water parameters are dangerous because these would stress the dwarf shrimps leading to health issues, and in worse cases, would even cause death. 

Common Issues

Algae Overgrowth

Algae overgrowth is caused by high levels of nutrients in the water and prolonged light exposure. Too much algae can release toxins, deplete oxygen levels, and make the tank look less appealing. To avoid this common issue in dwarf shrimp keeping:

• Gently remove excess algae from tank surfaces, decorations, and glass using algae scrapers or brushes. 
•  Consider using a timer for consistent lighting schedules to maintain a proper balance of light duration and intensity. 
•  Add algae-eating organisms like snails or certain fish species (e.g., Siamese algae eaters) to help control algae naturally.
•  Avoid overfeeding to also avoid the buildup of nutrients in the water. Remove uneaten food promptly.

Tank Hygiene

Proper tank hygiene is essential for the health and well-being of your shrimp. To maintain tank hygiene:

• Clean debris and organic waste from the substrate with a gravel vacuum whenever conducting water changes.
•  Wipe down tank surfaces, equipment, and decorations to remove dirt, algae, and biofilm. 
•  Trim live plants to prevent overcrowding and also keep them healthy. 
•  Check your filters for efficient water filtration and circulation

Signs of Diseases in Dwarf Shrimps

Dwarf shrimps are also susceptible to health issues and these can be seen in the signs and symptoms they exhibit. Common shrimp diseases include bacterial infections and moulting problems:

Bacterial infections

Symptoms of bacterial infections are lethargic behaviour, abnormal swimming patterns, cloudy or discoloured exoskeletons, and loss of appetite. When these are present in the shrimp, quarantine them immediately to avoid spreading the infection to other healthy shrimps. Also, consider treating the quarantine shrimps with antibiotics under the guidance of veterinarians or knowledgeable shrimp keepers. 

Moulting

Moulting is a normal reaction of shrimps due to stress, changes in water parameters, and insufficient diet. Signs of moulting problems include failed moults (shrimp stuck in old shells), difficulty shedding, or shell deformities. To support healthy moulting cycles, maintain optimal levels of water parameters, feed the shrimps with nutrient-rich diets, and provide ample hiding spots and moulting-friendly surfaces.  

Benefits of Keeping Dwarf Shrimps

Natural algae control: Innate Tank Cleaners

Dwarf shrimps eat algae naturally and this helps in keeping your aquarium clean and free from algae overgrowth. Their constant grazing on algae-covered surfaces promotes a healthier aquatic environment for both shrimps and other tank inhabitants.

Compatibility: Peaceful Coexistence

Dwarf shrimps can coexist peacefully with other fish species that are not aggressive and not predatory. However, keeping them in tanks with significantly bigger or more aggressive fish can result in them being hurt or eaten. Choose tankmates that share similar water parameter requirements and temperament to ensure compatibility.

Aesthetic appeal: Colourful Appearance and Intriguing Behaviours

Dwarf shrimps are small and colourful and they exhibit intriguing movements. Their natural behaviours, such as moulting, foraging, and social interactions, give a captivating and visually appealing element to your ornamental aquarium. Simply observing them gives us a delightful feeling and it would make us enjoy and appreciate them. 

Make your Aquatic World More Vibrant and Charming by Adding Dwarf Shrimps!

It is rewarding to add dwarf shrimps to your freshwater aquarium or even keep them as ornamental pets, but it requires real commitment and knowledge. You must provide proper care, habitat, and attention to their needs to ensure that they are healthy and happy. In return, you can enjoy the beauty and charm of these miniature aquatic creatures. Happy shrimp keeping!

Continue reading this article to know the scope, limits, and future of Science Communication.

Going Beyond the Academe

Many of us will probably recall that the last time we communicated science was during a class report or a thesis defense. While those might be the most memorable instances, the scope of Science Communication goes beyond that. Science Communication is not and should not be confined to the classroom. 

We engage in Science Communication more than we think we do. Those times when we had to explain how something works; those times when we had to give medical advice to a friend or family; or those times when we shared something that began with the line “According to research…” are all forms of Science Communication.

Recognizing that Science Communication is part of our daily lives is crucial in maintaining the quality of information around us. Science warrants accurate and precise information. Failing to recognize and understand the science of what we share can lead to the catastrophic spread of disinformation and misinformation.

Science Expert vs Science Communicator

Now that we know Science Communication is potentially everywhere, we might start asking the following questions. Am I qualified to share this piece of scientific information? Should I believe what this person is saying? What makes a Science Communicator?

With so much to consider, it might seem that it is much better to leave everything up to the experts. While relying on experts and scientists – as we all should – may be the best approach, it might not be the most practical all the time. Another reality is that not all science experts are expert Science Communicators.

At some point in our academic journey, most of us probably encountered that one tenured professor who is just horrible at teaching. Make no mistake – hands down to all their accolades and scientific contributions. But they probably played a single role in our life – to make us realize that teaching (and communicating) is an art.

Hence, you don’t necessarily need to be a science expert to become an effective Science Communicator. A vast pool of scientific knowledge and even a degree may surely help. But even so, there is more to being a Science Communicator than what diplomas can represent.

To answer who is qualified to communicate science, we should go back to how science works. Scientific discoveries rely on the scientific method to create replicable and reliable results. Results from the scientific method then serve as evidence for establishing scientific facts.

As potential audiences or Science Communicators, we should follow suit. We need to ensure that the information we receive and share can be traced back to the evidence that supports it. When in doubt, we should rely on and believe our scientists and experts who did the research.

Eventually, we should also be able to accept we were wrong when better science with stronger evidence comes around. An article by Oreskes explains how science doesn’t supply us with absolute truths but brings us steadily closer.

Moving forward with Science Communication

Moving forward, we will create more and more scientific discoveries. The pool of scientific knowledge will continue to expand. New scientific findings aren’t getting simpler and may disprove what we already know.

Fortunately, we have a growing number of scientists and experts worldwide. They are the ones who are directly involved in making discoveries and understanding the science behind them. What we are going to need are more Science Communicators who will continue to make science accessible and understandable for the general public. 

Although many of us will most likely benefit from scientific and technological advances, not everyone will understand the science behind them. Scientific misunderstanding can create friction among people. Worst-case scenario, the science that was supposed to help humanity may end up getting rejected.

Science Communication will certainly play a crucial role as we move forward in this Age of Information.