Local Shrimp Sources, etc.

[Funkmotor]

So my tank is cycled (if you can call it that...there's so many plants I never really saw a cycle but I'm reading a little nitrate and all else looks good), and I'd like to begin my stocking with a small number of shrimp.  I've had ghost shrimp in the past and they were fun to watch, but the variety available these days is a whole lot more colourful - and also more confusing.

I do very much like the Crystal Red Shrimp because of their bright colour and candy-cane-like appearance - but I've read a lot of stuff about CRS being super-delicate and that they should only be housed by themselves and so forth - so maybe Cherry shrimp would do better, or something else?

I'm also after a few Amano shrimp, both to have a bit of diversity and as they're supposed to be superlative cleaners even if they aren't the prettiest.

Of course, the tank will also be home (at some point) to a decent shoal of some nano-scale fish, either Celestial Pearls or Danio erythromicron - neither of which should pose any threat to the shrimp.

I've seen some CRS and Cherries here and there locally, but I haven't seen any Amano's - any advice on the best place (or time) to get some, or whether some places are better than others?

Thanks.

[daworldisblack]

Most shrimps on your list (CRS, RCS specifically) can be obtained from other hobbyists if not at the store. They breed readily if the set-up is right - this is especially the case for RCS.  As for Amanos, the breeding is a little more challenging and hands-on and the yield rate is nil to low so chances are you'd have to stop by a local store. I got all of mine at Big Al's. They have them in every now and then - perhaps call in advance to check?

[Stussi613]

I'd post an ad in the looking for section for the CRS, or RCS, the supply within the club seems to have slowed down, but there are still quite a few people with them.  BA's usually has Amano's, I'm pretty sure I saw some nice sized ones at the one in Kanata a couple of days ago...

I agree with daworldisblack, RCS breed like crazy so if you went with them you'd have a good sized colony in no time, just add water to them and they multiply!

[Funkmotor]

Well, looks like I'm heading out to Kanata tonight!  (Maybe a quick call first.)  And I'll post an ad for CRS as well.

As for the breeding, I know what you mean.  When I took down my last fresh tank there were easily thousands of ghost shrimp in it.  It was amazing to me how many there were - and every different size you could think of - even in a tank with rainbows and loaches that just love to snack on them.

It's unfortunate that the Amano's need a brackish phase, though, as you can't have a self-sustaining population in a fresh tank.

[wrm130]

critter jungle usually has some amano's kicking around

[bettabreeder]

Id stay away from crs if you plan on having micro fish soon enough. I had Micro Rasboras in my CRS and well they make an expensive snack for the fish. I have some rili shrimp I can help you out with. for a variant of a cherry shrimp they are truly one of my favourites.