Would Rcs Stand A Chance

I am in the process of building my community tank. So far I have added 12 Cardinal Tetras (although I can only ever count 11), I plan on also adding some Cory SterbaI and a few Dwarf Gouramis. I would love to also add some Red Cherry Shrimp. I have read conflicting stories - between RCS would be expensive food for Cardinals through to they'll be OK if they have somewhere to hide. And I've seen videos on youtube with shrimp in the open and cardinals swimming past.

I don't mind if the Cardinals (or other fish for that matter) get a few fry (varied diet is a good thing) but I would like to know the main shrimp population could survive.

I have added a few pictures of my planted tank. The plants in the tank include - Anubius, Java Moss, WendtiI Tall (Crypt), Alternanthera reineckiI 'Mini', Amazon Frogbit, Bacopa monnierI (not happy), Blyxa japonica, Cyperus helferi, Hydrocotyle tripartita Japan, Mayaca fluviatilis, Hygrophylia (sold name I think it is dwarf hygrophila) and Wisteria.

My two questions for those in the "somewhere to hide camp" are:
- have I done enough or would you have any recommended changes to the tank to give the RCS a fighting chance; and
- Any tips for introducing RCS - do I need to remove the Cardinals from the tank for a period to allow the RCS a chance to settle?

Any advice is appreciated!





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I've never heard of a cardinal eating any shrimp. Well, any more than other fish. I would think it would be safe to add some. If you're okay with shipping, might I suggest blue velvet shrimp? They're the same species, but they're a nice blue color that I think would go great with neons.

 

Most cardinals will leave shrimp alone unless they are dead at which point in time it is a tag team effort to rip them apart and eat them. I say most as I had a cardinal who was apparently a piranha in a past life and tried to pick and bit on everyone. I keep ghost shrimp in the tank he (we assume, we called this cardinal Bobby) and he was constantly trying to peck at even the big berried female ghost shrimp who were longer than him. Bonby was a right pest. He even went after the angelfish in the tank. Repeatedly. Even after the angelfish turned around and taught him who had the bigger mouth. Eventually Bobby was euthanized when he wouldnt leave the angel alone and the angel bit his tail off (didnt eat him though, he was a rather docile angel but even he got sick of being pestered).

Back on topic, I think most cardinals should be fine with adult cherry shrimp. And you have done a good job of making sure the tank is well planted with plenty of hiding spots for the shrimp. My only other suggestion would be a piece of cholla wood with some moss on it as that is an excellent shrimp and fry hiding place.

(also your username is great, thank you for that giggle)

 

You're worrying about the wrong fish! As others have pointed out, cardinals should leave the shrimp alone, it's the dwarf gouramis you plan to add that you have to worry about.

 

I think you definitely have the "somewhere to hide" covered

On a different note, it looks like the plants you have in the front are crypts? If so, just want to make sure you're aware that they can get pretty tall, which the shrimp will love, but may limit your visibility to the tank.

And one completely unrelated question... where in the heck did you find a tardis, weeping angel, and cyberman for the tank?!?!?! I want them!

 

You should be okay with that kind of coverage as others have mentioned. Shrimplets also grow at a pretty fast rate and they can 'flick' away pretty quickly.

Only thing I would add is that you should start with large amount of RCS or other type of shrimps to begin with, that way you'll have a very good chance of sustaining your colony.

And one completely unrelated question... where in the heck did you find a tardis, weeping angel, and cyberman for the tank?!?!?! I want them!

With Bithimala on this. WHERE in the world did you find them?? What a Whovian aquarium!

 

Some great responses above - thank you. I'm feeling a lot more confident with getting some shrimp.

... might I suggest blue velvet shrimp? They're the same species, but they're a nice blue color that I think would go great with neons.

I love the idea - and agreed they look great - not because they make the tetras pop but they'll look fantastic with the TARDIS haha. Think I'll have to stick with the Red Cherry's though - I had a google and couldn't find suppliers in Australia. I did find Golden Eye Blue Tiger for $85 each. WOW there is always more money to spend. All good I'll learn to walk with some cheap shrimp.

... My only other suggestion would be a piece of cholla wood with some moss on it as that is an excellent shrimp and fry hiding place.

I hadn't heard of cholla wood - thankyou. I'll get some of this started before I get the shrimp.

(also your username is great, thank you for that giggle)

You're worrying about the wrong fish! As others have pointed out, cardinals should leave the shrimp alone, it's the dwarf gouramis you plan to add that you have to worry about.

Good point - guess I was thinking of the numbers game with 12 cardinals and only 3 dwarf gourami.

...On a different note, it looks like the plants you have in the front are crypts? If so, just want to make sure you're aware that they can get pretty tall, which the shrimp will love, but may limit your visibility to the tank.

And one completely unrelated question... where in the heck did you find a tardis, weeping angel, and cyberman for the tank?!?!?! I want them!

I'll put that down to dodgy LFS advice. It was the first plant I bought and was copying a tank in the store - I didn't realise how new the tank was and how big it potentially could get. Let just say in the short term I am embracing the jungle look. In the medium term I'm already plotting for a 4 or 5 ft tank - I need a touch more room to include (most people would say another fish) a Dalek. Haha

....only thing I would add is that you should start with large amount of RCS or other type of shrimps to begin with, that way you'll have a very good chance of sustaining your colony.

With Bithimala on this. WHERE in the world did you find them?? What a Whovian aquarium!

Good tip thank you - I'll stop being conservative with my thinking and get a solid number.

Bithimala & Luciferene I don't think my answer is going to help you. I am Brisbane based and the Dr Who decorations are available in a couple of my LFSs with multiple sizes of each of the ornaments. I have to get a Dalek - but not until I have some room.

Cheers

 

Well, I'm very jealous of the Dr. Who decor I personally love the heavily planted look, just didn't want you to be caught off guard when the whole front of the tank was covered with plants.

 

Bithimala & Luciferene I don't think my answer is going to help you. I am Brisbane based and the Dr Who decorations are available in a couple of my LFSs with multiple sizes of each of the ornaments. I have to get a Dalek - but not until I have some room.

Darn it, it's just about as far is it can get from here. Please post a photo when you do.

Now there's a forum for shrimp keepers in Australia. Whether you get RCS or not it would be lot cheaper to look into the website and ask around with fellow Aussies. The season is nice for shipping, if I'm not mistaken, in Australia now. I heard it's hard to find anything in Australia due to the import laws.

SKF Aquatics

Some people on this forum will also be able to find you Australian vendors.


Good luck!