How Many Ghost Shrimp In A 1 Gallon?

I was thinking of getting a small 1 gallon tank like the ones that are advertised for bettas but you shouldn't keep bettas in them and that's why I want to keep ghost shrimp in it. I don't know if they are 1 gallon or 1.5 gallon but I'm pretty sure most of them are 1 gallon. If it's possible to make one of these tanks into a planted ghost shrimp tank, please tell me how and what I need. How many ghost shrimp can I keep in such a small tank? Thanks

 

I would say probably at most 5, but that’s just my opinion.

 

I'd say 1-4 would be your best bet with ghosts, as I've seen them be aggressive before. That being said, a lot of people would tell you 6-8, and that's good advice as well, just not my experience.

For a 1 gallon, a desk lamp with a 6500K LED or CFL bulb would be plenty for any plants you wanted. You could do some cheap sand and a few root tabs, if you wanted to get some good growth. I'd personally recommend a sponge filter and a heater (if your room temp is below 70F), although I've kept them without either with no issues. Just makes things a bit safer.

Do a 100% WC every week, just to keep water quality up!

 

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Would something like this be ok?

 

I'd say 1-4 would be your best bet with ghosts, as I've seen them be aggressive before. That being said, a lot of people would tell you 6-8, and that's good advice as well, just not my experience.

For a 1 gallon, a desk lamp with a 6500K LED or CFL bulb would be plenty for any plants you wanted. You could do some cheap sand and a few root tabs, if you wanted to get some good growth. I'd personally recommend a sponge filter and a heater (if your room temp is below 70F), although I've kept them without either with no issues. Just makes things a bit safer.

Do a 100% WC every week, just to keep water quality up!

Why the heck should someone do a 100% water change every week????? That doesn't sound very good, for the bacteria, the shrimp or anything... At most I would say a 50% water change... They are just shrimp so its not like they make mass ammonia... Comment back lol

 

Why the heck should someone do a 100% water change every week????? That doesn't sound very good, for the bacteria, the shrimp or anything... At most I would say a 50% water change... They are just shrimp so its not like they make mass ammonia... Comment back lol

In a 1 gallon tank, assuming the use of a small sponge filter, there's still gonna be some ammonia build-up due to feedings and just general waste, especially if OP gets some snails with her plants.

100% WCs are a common occurance in small tanks, and if done correctly, won't hurt any bacteria or inhabitants.

100% a week may not be necessary, but it's what I'd do in that situation, ESPECIALLY if they choose to go filterless.

Would something like this be ok?

You could go with a tank like that, for sure. Or, you could use a jar, or anything glass that hasn't been contaminated.

If you were going to go with that tank, I'd totally recommend saving money and getting the 2.5 gallon basic aquarium for like $14.99. Bigger tank, more space for plants, more room for error, and it's cheaper. But, if you just like that tank, then go for it!

 

I already have a 2.5 gallon and a 5.5 gallon so I just want something real tiny just for ghost shrimp

 

I already have a 2.5 gallon and a 5.5 gallon so I just want something real tiny just for ghost shrimp

Gotcha!

Then yeah, that tank'll do just fine. Are you going to use any equipment? Sponge filter, heater, etc?

 

Gotcha!

Then yeah, that tank'll do just fine. Are you going to use any equipment? Sponge filter, heater, etc?

A heater most likely although I don't know where to buy a heater that small. Probably a filter as well but don't know what kind. Will have substrate again don't know what kind.

 

A heater most likely although I don't know where to buy a heater that small. Probably a filter as well but don't know what kind. Will have substrate again don't know what kind.

Gotcha. A lot of your smaller heaters are always on, so definitely be careful with them. If it'll fit, I'd go for a cheap tetra heater, or something in that ballpark made for 10 gallons with a thermostat.

Since you're talking shrimp, I'd say a sponge filter would be good. I can't think of a filter that wouldn't blow the shrimp around a tank in a gallon, although you might be able to looking into the Mignon 60 HOB.

Substrate is, of course, up to you.

Just my $0.02!

 

Gotcha. A lot of your smaller heaters are always on, so definitely be careful with them. If it'll fit, I'd go for a cheap tetra heater, or something in that ballpark made for 10 gallons with a thermostat.

Since you're talking shrimp, I'd say a sponge filter would be good. I can't think of a filter that wouldn't blow the shrimp around a tank in a gallon, although you might be able to looking into the Mignon 60 HOB.

Substrate is, of course, up to you.

Just my $0.02!

How about this filter? A bit cheaper and can be bought in-store or would it be too powerful for the little shrimps?

 

How about this filter? A bit cheaper and can be bought in-store or would it be too powerful for the little shrimps?

I think that'd be a bit too powerful. It filters 100GPH, so more than likely it'd blow your shrimp around even at half power.

Believe it or not, I've had good luck with the Top Fin 10 Gallon Internal Filters from PetSmart. Been using one in my Saltwater tank as a powerhead for about a year, and just got another for my betta in a 3 gallon. At the highest setting, it keeps my 2.5 gallon reef happy. At it's lowest, it's just weak enough to not throw around my female betta (too much). You might be able to use one of those, turn it down all the way, and maybe block the intake partially? No guarantees there.

 

I think that'd be a bit too powerful. It filters 100GPH, so more than likely it'd blow your shrimp around even at half power.

Believe it or not, I've had good luck with the Top Fin 10 Gallon Internal Filters from PetSmart. Been using one in my Saltwater tank as a powerhead for about a year, and just got another for my betta in a 3 gallon. At the highest setting, it keeps my 2.5 gallon reef happy. At it's lowest, it's just weak enough to not throw around my female betta (too much). You might be able to use one of those, turn it down all the way, and maybe block the intake partially? No guarantees there.

Alright how about plants and lighting? I know it'll be hard to get lighting for such a small tank but what do you think? What would you recommend for plants and lighting?

 

For lighting, I use a desk lamp and a 6500K (daylight) Compact Fluorescent bulb. It works well for tanks under 5 gallons, and it's cheap.

For plants, I'd say a moss ball (shrimp love them!), possibly some S. Repens (can be found at Petsmart, slow grower, short), and maybe for a centerpiece, a micro sword. I think, that as long as you have a decent substrate, you'd be fine to grow one. I use gravel and root tabs with my Swords with no issues.

 

One last thing, is a filter a MUST? Like do I absolutely need one or can they fair without one?

 

One last thing, is a filter a MUST? Like do I absolutely need one or can they fair without one?

I've kept shrimps in heavily planted jars with no filter or heater, and they've done fine.

That being said, I did 100% WCs every single week, I had a lot of fast growing plants to soak up ammonia, a lot of light, and a lot of fertilizer. So can you? Sure. But using a filter will make your life a lot easier.

My vote would be for a sponge filter from ebay with a decent air pump. Should be fine for shrimp. But, if you're up for the challenge, you can go filterless.

 

Your in luck OP. This is super easy. Just cram the thing full of plants and add a shrimp or two. Floating plants work great to remove ammonia. If you give it a few weeks for algae and microorganisms to establish, you won't even have to feed the shrimp. I have a planted shrimp bowl with a ghost and a cherry shrimp together. They bowl is heavily planted and it looks great. I haven't done a water change in 4 months and I haven't fed them in 4 months. They eat any algae and the decaying plant material and they are doing great.

 

Your in luck OP. This is super easy. Just cram the thing full of plants and add a shrimp or two. Floating plants work great to remove ammonia. If you give it a few weeks for algae and microorganisms to establish, you won't even have to feed the shrimp. I have a planted shrimp bowl with a ghost and a cherry shrimp together. They bowl is heavily planted and it looks great. I haven't done a water change in 4 months and I haven't fed them in 4 months. They eat any algae and the decaying plant material and they are doing great.

While that's a loose way to play it, that's proof that it works xD

 

I've kept shrimps in heavily planted jars with no filter or heater, and they've done fine.

That being said, I did 100% WCs every single week, I had a lot of fast growing plants to soak up ammonia, a lot of light, and a lot of fertilizer. So can you? Sure. But using a filter will make your life a lot easier.

My vote would be for a sponge filter from ebay with a decent air pump. Should be fine for shrimp. But, if you're up for the challenge, you can go filterless.

Do you know how big this filter is? would it fit in the very tiny 1 gallon?

 

Do you know how big this filter is? would it fit in the very tiny 1 gallon?

If you search around on Ebay you can probably find one small enough.



That one is just over 2 inches, so it'd take up about a third of your tank. I'm sure there are smaller out there though, and shrimp enjoy picking out debris from the sponges, so a larger filer might not be a horrible idea.