With fresh water. Unique arthropods are perceived primarily as a nutritious delicacy, an ingredient in various dishes, but shrimp themselves are very unusual and even mysterious inhabitants of the underwater world, with a special body structure. Many lovers of scuba diving in tropical waters have the opportunity to follow their behavior - if you stir the algae, the shrimps jump out like grasshoppers from ordinary grass.
Origin of the species and description
Shrimps are crustaceans from the decapod order, there are 250 genera and more than 2000 different species of these creatures. Decapod shrimp are the highest crustaceans, unlike other multicellular organisms, their heart muscle has a symplastic structure. Like all arthropods, they belong to the animal kingdom, they have a chitinous exoskeleton, which limits the growth of the body, and therefore the animal must periodically shed it - undergo molting.
Video: Shrimp
There are about a hundred species of shrimp that are the subject of fishing, some are cultivated on special shrimp farms, there are several species that are successfully kept even in home aquariums. For many species of these crustaceans, protandrous hermaphroditism is characteristic - during their life they are able to change their sex. This unusual phenomenon of the separate appearance of opposite sex characteristics in hermaphrodite creatures is quite rare.
Interesting fact: Shrimp meat is especially rich in protein and high in calcium, but is low in calories, however, shrimp, like all other arthropods that live in the seas, are forbidden to be eaten in Judaism. There are disagreements about the permissibility of eating these crustaceans in Islam.
Appearance and features
The color and size of the shrimp depends on its species, but in all these crustaceans, the body is covered on the outside with a continuous, durable layer of chitin, which they change as they grow. The mollusk has a body elongated along the length, flattened on the sides, which are divided into the abdomen, cephalothorax. The cephalothorax, in turn, has an unusual protrusion - the rostrum, on which you can see teeth of various shapes, depending on the type of crustacean. The color of shrimp can be from gray-green to pink and even blue, with characteristic stripes, spots, the size ranges from 2 to 30 centimeters. Shrimp eyes consist of a large number of facets, their number increases with age. Their vision is mosaic, and for this reason, crustaceans see well only at a small distance of up to several centimeters.
However, the eyes are responsible for the production of special hormones that regulate:
- change in body color;
- growth, frequency of links;
- metabolism, rate of calcium accumulation;
- arrangement of the pigment.
Anterior antennae antennae are the organ of touch. The abdomen of the shrimp is equipped with five pairs of legs - pleopods, with the help of which the animal swims. The female carries eggs on pleopods, moving, they wash and clean them. The last limbs form a wide fan together with the tail. By bending the abdomen, this crustacean is able to quickly swim back in case of danger. The shrimp has three pairs of mandibles of the thoracic limbs, with their help it collects food and brings it to the mandibles, the bristles of which determine whether to eat it or not.
The front pair of legs of mollusks is turned into claws. Shrimps defend themselves with them, grab large prey. In males, they are usually more developed. Walking legs on the chest are interesting in that the left and right legs of each pair always move independently of each other. The gills of the shrimp are hidden by the edge of the shell and are connected to the pectoral limbs. Water is driven through the cavity of the gills with the help of a large blade located on the hind jaws.
Where does the shrimp live?
Shrimp, playing an important role in the ecosystem of the oceans and seas, settled almost everywhere.
More than 2000 species of these crustaceans can be divided into the following subspecies:
- freshwater - found in Russia, waters, South;
- cold-water shrimp - this is the most common species that lives in the sea, near the coast,;
- warm-water mollusks - in the southern oceans and seas;
- saline - in saline waters.
Chilean crustaceans settled throughout the South American coast, are found in the Black, and "royal" shrimp - in. When creating comfortable conditions, some freshwater and warmwater species are successfully kept in home aquariums. Many of them were bred artificially, have an unusual color that does not occur in nature.
Interesting fact: Cold-water shrimp are able to breed only in the natural environment and are not amenable to artificial cultivation. The crustaceans feed only on environmentally friendly plankton, which determines the high quality and value of their meat. The most valuable representatives of this subspecies are the northern red and red comb shrimp, northern chilim.
Now you know where is shrimp found. Let's see what they eat.
What does a shrimp eat?
Shrimps are scavengers, the basis of their diet is almost any organic remains. In addition, crustaceans love to feast on plankton, juicy algae leaves, they can hunt young small fish, even climb into fishermen's nets. Shrimp search for food with the help of smell and touch, turning their antennae antennae in different directions. Some species actively tear up the ground in search of vegetation, while others run along the bottom until they stumble upon some kind of food.
These mollusks are practically blind and are able to distinguish the silhouettes of objects only at a distance of a few centimeters, so the sense of smell plays the main violin. The shrimp pounces on its prey sharply, grabbing with its front pair of legs, and holding it until it calms down. Developed jaws or mandibles gradually grind food, which can take up to several hours.
Interesting fact: At night, all shrimps brighten, becoming translucent, and darken in daylight, and also quickly change their color depending on the background.
For aquarium shrimp, specially prepared formulations or ordinary boiled vegetables are used as food. Not a single crustacean will deny itself the pleasure of eating the remains of its fellows or any aquarium fish.
Features of character and lifestyle
Shrimp are very mobile, but secretive creatures. They constantly move along the bottom in search of food and are able to cover fairly long distances, as well as mollusks crawl on the leaves of underwater plants, collecting carrion on them. At the slightest danger, crustaceans hide in thickets, soil, among stones. They are cleaners and play an important role in the ecosystem of the oceans. They attack their relatives extremely rarely and only in cases of severe hunger in the absence of a sufficient amount of the usual food.
They skillfully maneuver thanks to walking, swimming legs located on the chest and abdomen. With the help of tail stalks, shrimp are able to jump sharply over a sufficiently large distance, move quickly backwards and scare away their enemies with clicks. All shrimp are solitary, but, nevertheless, crustaceans are found mainly in large groups. Some species are active at night, while others hunt only during daylight hours.
Interesting fact: The genital organs, the heart of the shrimp are located in the head area. Here are the urinary and digestive organs. The blood of these crustaceans is normally light blue in color, but becomes colorless when oxygen is deficient.
Social structure and reproduction
On average, a shrimp lives from 1.6 to 6 years, depending on the species. Shrimp are bisexual creatures, but male and female glands form at different times. First, at the onset of puberty, the young shrimp becomes a male and only in the third year of life changes sex to the opposite.
During puberty, the process of egg formation starts in the female and at the initial stage they resemble a mass of yellow-green color. When fully prepared for mating, the female releases special pheromones, by which the male finds her. The whole mating process takes a few minutes and after a while eggs appear. Interestingly, females hold unfertilized eggs on the hairs of the abdominal legs, and then carry offspring with them until larvae appear from the eggs.
Depending on the water temperature, the larvae develop inside the eggs within 10-30 days, passing from 9 to 12 stages of embryogenesis. First of all, the jaws are formed, then the cephalothorax. Most of the larvae die during the first day and maturity reaches no more than 5-10 percent of the total brood. Under artificial conditions, the survival rate is three times higher. The larvae themselves are inactive and are not able to independently search for food.
Natural enemies of shrimp
A huge number of shrimp die at the larval stage. , whales and many other planktivorous feed constantly on these crustaceans. They are often prey for other molluscs, seabirds, demersal fish, and even mammals. Shrimps have no weapons against their enemies, they can only try to escape in case of danger or hide among the leaves of plants, in extreme cases, crustaceans can try to scare their enemy and, taking advantage of his confusion, slip away. Shrimps, having camouflage colors, are able to imitate the color of the sandy bottom, as well as, if necessary, quickly change color depending on the environment and type of environment.
Shrimps are also an object of commercial fishing. In huge quantities, these mollusks are caught in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea. Every year, more than 3.5 million tons of shrimp are harvested from salt waters using bottom trolling, which completely destroys the habitat of crustaceans for up to four decades.
Interesting fact: There is no species with the scientific name "king" shrimp, as all large species of these arthropods are called. The largest species is the tiger black shrimp, which can reach 36 cm in length and weigh up to 650 grams.
Population and species status
Despite the huge number of natural enemies, the low survival rate of larvae and active fishing, the status of the species is currently stable and there are no fears that this species of crustaceans will disappear completely. Shrimps have incredible fecundity, are able to quickly restore their population - this is what saves them from complete extermination.
There is a theory that shrimp can self-regulate their population:
- with its excessive growth and the upcoming shortage of food, they begin to bear offspring less often;
- with a significant drop in numbers, mollusks multiply much more actively.
Most of the extra large and even giant shrimp, reaching 37 centimeters in length, are grown on shrimp farms. Due to the peculiarities of the functioning of farms, the specifics of nutrition, the meat of these crustaceans is filled with various chemicals. The best quality shrimp are those grown naturally in clear, cold waters.
Interesting fact: In summer and spring, the shores glow in the dark - this is due to the luminescent shrimps that live in the sand and become visible during low tide. The noise of snapping shrimp can disrupt the operation of submarine sonars - the hydroacoustician will hear only a continuous screen of noise.
Shrimp- something that is actively eaten, bred in aquariums, but very little is known about this strange creature that plays an important role in the ecosystem of the oceans. This is not just a delicacy or an ingredient in popular dishes, but a unique organism that surprises and delights with its features.
Shrimps are representatives of crustaceans that live in the seas and fresh waters. They are fished all year round. Freshwater shrimp are considered the most valuable and tasty, they are not only caught, but also grown on special farms. Shrimp dishes are considered a delicacy.
Shrimp meat is very tender and tasty. It has a lot of protein, calcium, potassium, zinc, sulfur and much more. It also contains a large number of various vitamins (E, A, C, H, group B).
Shrimps are a dietary product, as they are not very high in calories. Therefore, they are used for weight loss, various diets and proper nutrition.
| Shrimp variety | Amount of calories, kcal/100g | Proteins, g | Fats, g | Carbohydrates, g |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fresh frozen | 80 | 17,1 | 1,2 | 1,0 |
| Peeled frozen | 60 | 14,2 | 1,0 | 0,0 |
| Boiled | 95 | 19,0 | 2,2 | 0,0 |
| Canned | 81 | 17,7 | 1,1 | 0,0 |
| Pickled | 60 | 12,5 | 1,3 | 0,0 |
| Fresh | 97 | 22,2 | 1,0 | 0,0 |
| Royal | 87 | 18,5 | 1,2 | 0,8 |
| Brindle | 89 | 19,4 | 0,6 | 0,0 |
The most common edible types of shrimp are:
- classic (packed by size);
- brindle;
- royal.
The potassium contained in the meat is necessary for the smooth functioning of the cardiovascular system, improves the activity of the brain, supplying it with oxygen, and is needed for the natural activity of soft tissues. Sulfur reduces an allergic reaction, improves immunity, helps in the structure of cells (muscles, bones, joints). Iodine neutralizes unstable microbes, thereby reducing stress and irritability, and increases the elasticity of vascular walls. Zinc participates in enzymatic metabolism, helps the immune system, the reproductive system of men, speeds up metabolism. Calcium is necessary in the skeletal system, blood clotting processes, it has an anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Shrimp dishes are often used in various diets. Most often, these are protein diets, as they contain a small amount of calories, a lot of protein, very little fat and almost no carbohydrates. But do not forget that they contain cholesterol, so they must be used in reasonable quantities.
They are also used in medical nutrition:
- with pancreatitis;
- to eliminate hormonal imbalance in diseases of the thyroid gland;
- with a tendency to diseases of the respiratory organs and with the development of inflammatory processes;
- to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Shrimp can be an independent dish, and be part of various salads, pastas, soups and snacks. They are very harmonious in combination with other seafood. Olives also go well with them. Various spices diversify the soft and delicate taste.
Often they are served simply boiled with some sauces. Most often it is sour cream sauce, cream, sweet and sour, spicy, tomato. Since they themselves, like most other seafood, do not have their own pronounced taste, almost all sauces are suitable for them.
Shrimps in batter are also popular now. Even with the minimum calorie content of fresh shrimp, this dish becomes more fatty due to deep-fried cooking. But that doesn't stop fans.
Another common dish is grilled shrimp. To do this, they will first need to marinate, and then fry.
Shrimps are very tasty and nutritious dishes. Most often, these dishes have Italian and Mediterranean roots. They go well with cereals such as bulgur, rice, corn. With pasta (pasta, spaghetti, noodles) they also sound good. Seafood lovers will appreciate pizza and shrimp risotto, as well as sandwiches, cream cheese and shrimp soup.
In salads, this product is often used. Tomatoes, avocados, arugula, green salad, cucumbers, eggs, cheese and other products are well suited to them. Snacks with them are light and tender. Also, shrimp are an integral part of Japanese cuisine, they are added to traditional sushi and rolls.
The most important contraindication is a possible allergic reaction, both to the pulp itself and to the shell (chitin).
Also, do not eat shrimp caught in waste disposal sites. They tend to absorb harmful substances into themselves, which can adversely affect human health. In addition, they should not be consumed by people with protein intolerance.
The biggest harm from them is that they contain cholesterol and with frequent and large consumption of them, various diseases of the vascular system can develop. And they can not be with arteriosclerosis.
They also contain such a harmful substance as arsenic. But in small quantities, it is not dangerous to health. Therefore, once again it is worth recalling that it is necessary to use them in moderation.
If you eat shrimp frequently, you may notice differences in taste and texture sometimes. All this depends not only on the place of their catch, but also on the freshness of the product.
The most important criterion for the freshness of seafood is its smell. Of course, if the shrimp are already packed, then you can’t understand what they smell like. Therefore, it is better to choose a weight product in order to be able to smell them. Fresh goods are practically odorless. If you feel at least a slight unpleasant odor, it is better to refuse the purchase.
Appearance also plays an important role in the choice. The shell should be translucent and resilient. Whiskers and tails must not be broken. The color should be uniform, without dark spots. The meat has a light pink or white color, its icteric coloring reveals an old and improperly stored product. The tails should be twisted towards the shell, the straighter they are, the more stale the shrimp in front of you. If the head of the shrimp is black, then you should not take it, as this indicates its toxicity.
If you still buy seafood in a package, then you need to look at the expiration date. Also, there should not be a large amount of ice in the bag, on the carcasses themselves too. The ideal option is to have them in ice glaze.
- Many are interested in the question of why shrimp vary so much in size. So, their value depends on the temperature of the reservoir in which they lived. The colder the water, the smaller the representatives of this species. The largest of them, tiger and royal, are imported from China, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia;
- In terms of utility, they are all the same. But the smallest species have a brighter and richer taste;
- In Judaism, they are forbidden to eat, like other arthropods. In Islam, there is no exact definition and its different directions treat these seafood in different ways;
- Free-range shrimp have a richer flavor and firmer texture than captive-raised shrimp, as they move more and have a more varied diet;
- The largest representatives are Black Tiger. They can reach 35 cm and 650 grams. Moreover, females weigh more than males;
- Shrimp are high in cholesterol. But this is a useful substance that does not become the basis for elevated cholesterol levels in the blood;
- Quite often, a very thin and soft chitin (shell) is found in a shrimp. This means that they were caught during its shift or molt. They molt regularly, they change the shell to a more spacious one for better growth;
- Fresh shrimp meat is very soft and tender when properly cooked. Therefore, you should not subject it to prolonged heat treatment, usually it lasts no more than a few minutes.
There are a lot of shrimp dishes. Even the biggest gourmet will be able to make a choice to your taste. And while they can (and sometimes even necessary) for many diseases, they must be included in your diet with proper nutrition, as it is almost pure protein in its natural form. In addition, their preparation does not require much effort and time. And often boiled-frozen shrimp are sold, which only need to be reheated.
Moreover, they contain a considerable number of vitamins and minerals that are necessary to maintain the health of the body. But most importantly, it is a very tasty product.
Oleg, it is easy to get lost in all the variety of the shrimp world. How many types of shrimp are there and how do they differ?
There are about 2000 species in nature shrimp. All of them can be divided into two groups - cold-water and warm-water. Outwardly, they differ in size - cold-water ones are much smaller.
Cold water shrimp are our regular shrimp?
It is possible to say so. Northern red shrimp are the most common, but northern chillim and red comb shrimp are also common. By the way, they are red and raw. These shrimp are boiled alive in sea water and immediately frozen after cooking. You can distinguish a boiled shrimp from a raw one by the tail: in a boiled one, it is twisted, and in a raw one, the tail is straight. But here it is important to know that northern shrimp are delivered to Russia only boiled-frozen, and such a straight tail is a sign that the shrimp was already cooked dead.
An interesting moment - Russian fishermen shrimp they are caught, but they are delivered to the USA, South Korea and Japan, and we buy shrimp caught by the Danes and Canadians, they say it is profitable from an economic point of view.
Another nuance concerns the size or " caliber» shrimp. On the packaging you can find such numbers - 50/70 ( pieces per kilogram - approx. ed.), 70/90 and 90/120 The larger the number, the smaller the shrimp. So, cold-water shrimp are small, and the size of 70/90 is already rare for them. Therefore, I advise you to buy shrimp caliber 90/120, all the rest have more ice than meat.
That is, we have to be content with the smallest shrimps?
Small doesn't mean bad. On the contrary, the smaller the shrimp, the juicier their meat and the brighter the taste. For this reason, I like northern shrimp much more than tropical ones. Moreover, cold-water shrimp are caught in their natural habitat, while warm-water shrimp are grown on farms on an industrial scale.
Are you saying that warm water shrimp are worse?
I would say that they are not for everybody, besides, it is really easy to get confused when choosing them. For example, " royal» Shrimp do not exist in nature. Under this name, all large warm-water shrimps, with the exception of the brindle, so named because of the specific color of the shell.
Different countries have their own king prawns - there are white Pacific, Indian, Chinese, Japanese sweet prawns, Atlantic red prawns and even giant freshwater prawns that live in Southeast Asia. But only 20% of the total king prawns are caught in their natural habitat. The remaining 80% comes from farms where shrimp are bred in special ponds.
Where do king prawns come from in Russia?
We mainly receive shrimp grown in China, India and Bangladesh. Farm shrimp are always larger than wild shrimp, and the manufacturer's packaging must indicate that this is an aquaculture product. King prawns are sold boiled-frozen in three types - uncut, with a shell without a head, or completely peeled. By the way, despite the impressive size - 25-30 cm in length, the meat in the king prawn is only 30% of the total weight, the rest is the head.
Are tiger prawns farmed too?
To a lesser extent than royal ones, but farm tiger prawns are supplied to Russia. Black tiger shrimp are brought from India and China, and ordinary ones from Indonesia and Thailand. They differ in color - the common ones have dark stripes on a light shell, while the black ones have the opposite.
The size of tiger prawns is even larger than that of king prawns - 30-35 cm, and meat is 50% of the total weight. These shrimp are sold raw, with or without the head. With a head they look very impressive, and are often used to decorate dishes.
And what is scary farm shrimp?
Some people don't like the taste it gets shrimp grown on artificial feed. Someone is afraid that they are bred with the use of stimulants, dyes and antibiotics. I just like northern shrimp more - they are tastier and there are much more useful substances in them. But all this is true only if the shrimp is fresh.
What should be fresh shrimp?
Fresh shrimp must be properly frozen. The coloring should be even, the icing should be thin, and the tail should be pressed against the abdomen. White spots on the shell or snow flakes in the package mean that shrimps defrosted several times. Pay attention to the head of the shrimp, if any. The brown head occurs in pregnant shrimp, their meat is the most delicious and healthy. The green head indicates that the shrimp fed on algae and a special kind of plankton. But the black head speaks of a serious illness, eating such a shrimp is dangerous to health. Black spots on the shell are also unacceptable.
It is not known exactly how many species of shrimp exist, because, firstly, many varieties live in the seas, oceans and fresh water, and it cannot be argued that all of them have already been discovered. And, secondly, work is constantly underway to cross and select aquarium shrimp, as a result of which new species appear.
Shrimp belong to the phylum Arthropoda, class Crustaceans, that is, they are the closest relatives of crayfish. In some species of shrimp, this is reflected in appearance. How exactly?
Aquarium shrimps: types and content
Shrimp in the aquarium perform several functions. The first is cleaning the bottom of the aquarium from organic residues. For the most part, shrimp are peaceful creatures, therefore, if you see a shrimp eating, for example, dead fish, you do not need to blame it - the shrimp simply cleans the aquarium of decaying remains, which contributes to its cleanliness and balance.
The second function is aesthetic. Many species have a beautiful color, so the aquarium with them acquires a "zest".
What types of shrimp are there for the aquarium? Let's consider the most interesting of them.
freshwater individuals
It should be noted that these types of shrimp are not suitable for eating. Therefore, it is possible to breed shrimp in an aquarium only for beauty and sanitary functions. There is a wide variety of freshwater aquarium shrimp species that naturally live in rivers, lakes, and estuaries.
Neocardines
Popular and unpretentious. Live an average of 1-2 years. There are several types of neocardine shrimp. It is recommended to keep them separately, since all neocardins can interbreed with each other, which will lead to degeneration of the color in the offspring.
From neocardina vulgaris, all the rest originated, as a result of random mutations and selection work. The regular neocardinka is transparent and, because of its extreme simplicity and low cost, is ideal for those who have never kept shrimp before.
cherry shrimp
Otherwise, it is called "red cherry", "cherry shrimp", "red fire" or simply "cherry". It appeared in Russia in 2004.
The most suitable conditions for neocardines are water temperatures of 22-25 degrees Celsius and thickets of plants at the bottom, like Java moss. You should avoid the neighborhood of cherry and predators, as well as other crustaceans - crabs, crayfish.
The color of cherry shrimp, as the name implies, is red. Thanks to the work of breeders? there are many variations of its saturation and shades. By the way, it can vary depending on the conditions in the aquarium - food, lighting, neighbors, water temperature, soil color (the color intensifies on a dark bottom), and so on. From stress caused, for example, by the threat from predatory fish, shrimp discolor.
Cherries are easy to distinguish by sex - males are smaller and more fussy, their color is weaker. In contrast, females are slower and calmer and brighter in color.
yellow shrimp
The yellow shrimp was developed in Japan from the wild neocardine species in the mid-2000s. By the way, cherry shrimp was bred from the same wild species.
The yellow shrimp got its name due to the color, which is rare for shrimp. In size, it, like a relative cherry, is small - 2.5-3 cm. The range of acceptable temperatures for keeping is slightly more than that of that one - 22-28 degrees Celsius.
Female yellow shrimp are larger than males, their color is rather dark yellow and the underbelly is curved, so they are easy to distinguish from males. In addition, females may have a stripe along the back, which males do not have.
One variation of yellow shrimp is neon yellow, distinguished by a bright yellow stripe on its back.
Riley shrimp
A mutation of the cherry shrimp, bred in 1996. There are different color variations; The classic Riley shrimp has a bright red tail, head and chest, and a transparent body. Adult females have a yellow spot on the neck. The size of these shrimps is 2-2.5 cm, females are slightly larger than males.
Chocolate, white, blue neocardina
The females of this species have a rich brown color, while the males are much paler. The size ranges from 2.5 (males) to 3 (females) cm. The temperature suits them from 23 to 26 degrees Celsius.
Neocardina Shanjagensis white is sold under the name Snowball or White Pearl, obtained thanks to caviar that looks like snowballs. Unpretentious shrimps, transparent whitish, look best on dark ground. Females are more decorative than males. The temperature suits them from 20 to 28 degrees Celsius.
An interesting feature of these shrimp, which distinguishes them from all other neocardines, is the absence of a larval stage.
Neocardina Shanjagensis blue. You can meet other names - Blue Ice, Blue Pearl. This is the second color variation of Neocardina Shanjarentis. It has a bluish color with a pearl, as if hidden in front of the calf. Also unpretentious to the conditions of detention.
Other shrimp
In addition to such common neocardines, there are other interesting types of shrimp.
Amano shrimp. These shrimp reach a length of 4-5 cm. Their color is unusual, on a transparent or light green body there are small red-brown spots or broken lines, as well as a light stripe on the back. Amano are masters of disguise, their ability to mimicry is so great that sometimes it is impossible to notice them at all at the bottom.
Females in Amano shrimp are much larger than males and wider than them at sexually mature age.
A distinctive feature that makes these shrimps desirable inhabitants of the aquarium is that they eat threadworm, algae, which is not easy to overcome. The optimum water temperature ranges from 20 to 28 degrees Celsius.
Green shrimp. Sometimes it is also called dark green shrimp. Among aquarists, she became known in 2007. It is distinguished by a rich, dark green color and a size of 3-3.5 cm. It is easy to confuse it with Babaulti, a shrimp similar in color.
Dark green prefers water with a temperature of 20 to 28 degrees Celsius. Females are larger, thicker and darker in color than males. Their caviar is a rich lemon-green color.
Shrimp Babaulti. Also called green algae shrimp, this is true, since most often it is the green shrimp of this species that can be seen in the aquarium. What kind of colors are there for this type of shrimp? They can be blue, red, brown and orange. When stressed, they can instantly change the color of their translucent body.
The size of these shrimp does not exceed 4 cm, females are larger than males and in adulthood have a yellow-green spot on the neck.
Bee
She is a black bee or a crystal black shrimp. It has a black and white color and reaches 2.5-3 cm. It is sensitive to the parameters of water and its pollution, it needs water with pH 6.5-7.5, GH 4-6, KH 1-2, temperature 18-26 degrees Celsius. It is important to create just such conditions for the black bee, therefore it cannot be called easy to keep.
Blue bee shrimp. Its size and optimal keeping conditions are similar to cherry shrimp.
The shrimp was first introduced in 2008. Despite the name, the color can be not only blue, but also purple or brown. Because of this, it can be difficult to determine the exact type of shrimp, because most of the bees are caught in the wild, and its breeding has not yet become widespread.
The sex of bee shrimp can only be determined in adulthood. The main difference between females and males is that their lower abdomen is curved, and the female herself is larger.
Red Crystal and Indian Glass
Red crystal. Sometimes it is called the red bee. It originally appeared as a mutation of the black bee. This is a beautiful shrimp with white and red stripes, the size is 2.5-3 cm. It is not easy to keep it, like its progenitor, it loves soft acidic water with a temperature of 18-26 degrees Celsius, it is demanding on the purity and quality of water.
Indian glass shrimp. Another name - ghost shrimp - she received for her transparent color. However, they can be yellowish or orange. There are small spots on the tail. Females reach 5 cm, males - 3-4 cm. The water temperature for normal life should be 20-29 degrees Celsius.
Shrimp Rosenberg
Huge shrimp, an adult has a size of 13 cm. They can hunt small fish, eat aquarium plants. The water temperature is desirable 26-30 degrees Celsius, high water hardness is required for good shell development.
These shrimp are transparent at a young age, over time the color may change, the transparency decreases, blue stripes may appear on the body.
Rosenberg shrimp are interesting in that their behavior is quite complex, there are mating games.
filterer
Other names are bamboo shrimp, Asian filter shrimp, tree shrimp. It was called a filter feeder due to the legs with cilia-fans, with which the shrimp filters water flows and thus catches food.
Coloring comes in different colors and shades - brown, red, red. The size of an adult is 7-10 cm, the optimum temperature is 22-27 degrees Celsius.
Shrimp Cardinal
Very beautiful small (2-2.5 cm) shrimps of deep red tones with white front legs and dots on the body. They meet infrequently and are not suitable for beginners, as they are demanding on the conditions of detention. The water temperature is recommended from 26 degrees Celsius, Cardinals do not live long in cold water. Also, high water hardness and pH 7-9 are important for them.
You can see the beauty of this type of shrimp in the photo.
Harlequin and Ringed Hand
Like Cardinals, Harlequins are very beautiful. Their rich, contrasting colors combine red, white and black. These shrimp are very small - only 0.6-1.2 cm. They are quite shy and whimsical, therefore it is better for experienced aquarists to keep them. The temperature is preferred from 26 degrees Celsius.
Shrimp Ringed hand. These are large (6-8 cm) marbled beige-brown shrimp with long claws of red and rusty hues. Thanks to the claws, they got their name. These shrimp are not as peaceful as many others - they often fight and can injure small fish. Males are larger than females and reach 8 cm. The temperature for keeping is 20-30 degrees Celsius, they love oxygenated water. They can eat plants.
Ninja
Usually named after the appearance of shrimp, and their names are often very bizarre and unusual. Another one is Ninja. This shrimp was named so because of its ability to quickly change colors and mimicry, allowing it to literally go into invisibility. It is difficult to name the color of a shrimp, because it can change it to almost any other.
It is also called Christmas shrimp, honey shrimp.
The size of the Ninja is normal for shrimp - 2.5-3.5 cm, the optimum keeping temperature is 22-27 degrees Celsius.
Khanka shrimp
It was named after Khanka Island in the Far East. According to the features of the structure and behavior, they are similar to freshwater crayfish. The size of this shrimp is 3-4.15 cm, males are 10-15 mm larger than females, which is generally rare for shrimp.
Khanka shrimp - not a particularly attractive species, grayish-brown translucent color. They have whiskers and claws. They are kept not for beauty, but for the benefits brought to the aquarium. It is desirable to maintain the temperature of the water in which they live, from 21 to 24 degrees Celsius and organize a "change of seasons" - in winter, cool it to 18-20 degrees Celsius.
Chameleon and Pearl Shrimp
Chameleon. Otherwise - Shrimp of the Year. Brown color, light stripes and dark brown spots on the body. These shrimp have powerful claws. Aggressive, it is better not to keep fish with them and create shelters in the aquarium if there are several shrimps. Active in the evening. The temperature is preferred 18-24 degrees Celsius.
Chameleon males are much larger than females, 9-12 cm versus 7 cm.
Pearly shrimp. Relatively small shrimp up to 5 cm in length. There are other names - Sand Shrimp, Marble Shrimp. Peaceful appearance with small claws and pleasant coloration, their body is light greenish or brownish-white in color, covered with white and black dots. Whimsical, love clean water 15-28 degrees Celsius and pH above 7, very sensitive to changes in its parameters.
Japanese river shrimp and black tiger shrimp
These shrimp have a size of 7-8 cm, large orange or brick claws, white "stockings" on the legs and a transverse stripe on the back. The body itself is translucent brownish, with age the color saturation increases.
In general, they are not aggressive, but they can fight for territory, as well as eat sedentary fish and snails. A very unpretentious look, but it is still desirable to maintain the temperature in the range of 26-30 degrees Celsius and saturate the water with oxygen.
Black tiger shrimp. Very beautiful black shrimps with orange or black eyes. Females are slightly larger than males and grow up to 3 cm. They are very difficult to keep, do not tolerate changes in water parameters, which are limited by clear boundaries. The required water temperature for maintenance is 21.5-23.5 degrees Celsius, pH - 7.2-7.4.
Sea shrimp. Species: Doctor
In cooking, it is the salt-water species of shrimp that are used for food. However, consider the most famous inedible species suitable for marine aquariums.
Adult Doctors are 5-6 cm in size. They have an attractive color - a white longitudinal stripe on the back is combined with crimson on the sides. There are also white tendrils.
This shrimp needs a marine aquarium with a temperature of 22-26 degrees Celsius, salt water and high hardness, imitation of a coral reef is desirable. During molting, the content of iodine in the water is desirable.
An interesting feature of the Pacific cleaner shrimp is that they do not have females, all shrimp are born males and only with the passage of age become bisexual, that is, the shrimp is both male and female.
Fire Shrimp Cleaner
These shrimp are very shy and secretive, hiding in shelters in daylight. But over time, they can begin to recognize the owner and take food from his hands.
In matters of keeping, one should be guided by the needs of the desired type of shrimp, taking into account the temperature suitable for it, the frequency of water changes and other parameters.
Many people need hard water with a high calcium content (carbonate hardness in the range of 5-10), because shrimp, like all crustaceans, periodically molt, and in soft water their new shell may not harden enough. Immediately after molting, shrimp have a soft body that is easy to damage, and at first they hide. The old shell of the shrimp is usually eaten.
All shrimp are very sensitive to copper, even small doses can be lethal. In this regard, the shrimp should be moved to another tank if other inhabitants of the aquarium require treatment with copper-containing preparations, or, conversely, treatment in a special quarantine aquarium. Snail pills can also be detrimental to shrimp.
For all medium-sized shrimps, a small (from 10 liters) aquarium is suitable - a shrimp tank with a thick layer of soil in which aquarium plants will take root well. You should choose their unpretentious species, since in shrimp it is not necessary to establish the supply of CO 2, so beloved by plants. Suitable Javanese moss, hornwort, wallisneria, Thai fern and others. In a large aquarium, shrimp simply "get lost" because of their miniature size. The average stocking density of these crustaceans is 2 shrimp per liter (this is true only for small species).
Most shrimp need a high oxygen content in the water, so it is advisable to have an aerator and turn it on at least at night, when the plants stop emitting O 2 . You also need to remember that as the temperature rises, the level of oxygen decreases, respectively, additional aeration is also needed. And at temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius, shrimp die very easily even with aeration, because protein folds in their bodies.
Thus, there are a huge number of shrimp species, the description of which cannot be fully described. Among these funny and useful animals, both beginners and experienced aquarists will find suitable ones for themselves. The main thing to remember when purchasing shrimp is the simple rules for keeping them, and then these tireless cleaners will serve as orderlies and decoration of the aquarium.
For the convenience of our guests and regular users, we have compiled a catalog of popular types of aquarium shrimp. This list is in alphabetical order, with a photo and a link to a single shrimp. Also, if necessary, you can always refer to the section of the site.
Not so long ago, in 2006, thanks to new research on Japanese shrimp, it was established that the Caridina japonica shrimp (discovered and described in 1892) and the Caridina multidentata shrimp (described earlier in 1860) are the same species. Thus, since 2006, the name of the Amano shrimp has been officially changed and became "Caridina multidentata".
The well-known aquascaper and creator of the so-called "natural aquariums" Takashi Amano was the first to use these shrimps to fight algae in his herbal aquariums.
After discovering their amazing ability to eat algae, he immediately ordered several thousand shrimp from a local peddler. Since the 1980s, aquarists began to call her - "Amano".
Babaulti shrimp have a bright green body. Green baboulti shrimp are distinguished by a feature: they are able to change the color of their body, becoming green, then light brown or red. The color depends on what mood the animal is in, how it eats, and in what conditions it lives.
It is also worth noting that it is quite difficult to find well-colored baboulti on sale, as in the pictures. Often they are tiddly, pale green shrimp.
In addition, there are many color morphs of baboulti: brown, orange and red varieties.
Blue dream shrimp do not have any special requirements for aquarium decoration. The main thing is the presence in the aquarium of a certain amount of moss, plants and snags. All types of plants can be used, but small-leaved plants and mosses work best. It is recommended to build secluded places for shrimps and add oak, almond or beech leaves to the aquarium. Dry leaves are both a hiding place and a treat for shrimp.
Shrimp Cherry or Cherry - selectively bred in Germany, a type of shrimp obtained in the process of long crossing of wild shrimp Neocaridina Heteropoda.
An aquarium with this species of shrimp should be well stocked with plants on which Cherry Shrimps spend a lot of their time just to sit, and be sure to have hiding places in which they hide for protection, especially after molting.
Almost transparent shrimp with dark transverse stripes along the body and slight speckling. Rostrum with straight upper and slightly convex lower margin. The one-toothed end of the beak, pointing straight ahead, protrudes slightly beyond the anterior edge of the scaphocerites. Of the three antennae of the 1st pair, two are fused together with 6-7 segments. Has small pincers. The color of shrimp largely depends on the color of the food, as well as on the shade of the soil. The size of the shrimp is about 5 cm.
In 1993, the Japanese Hisayasu Suzuki, while breeding shrimp, a classic black color, accidentally got an unusual shrimp - a red shrimp. After a while, 3 more things of such shrimps appeared. Deciding to fix the red gene, he set about selecting and crossing shrimp with red stripes.
By 1996, the breeder had several thousand red and white striped shrimp, which quickly gained popularity and love among shrimp lovers. Hisayasu Suzuki patented their name "Crystal Red".
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Genus Macrobrachium - Macrobrachium.Shrimps from the genus Macrobrachium have been used in the aquarium trade for a relatively long time. All members of the family are not peaceful. Some representatives of the genus differ in solid (up to 15-20 cm) sizes and are used in gastronomy (in particular, Macrobrachium rosenbergi, which is successfully bred on an industrial scale on special farms).
Fortunately for nature lovers, among the representatives of the genus there are many relatively compact creatures suitable for cultivation in home aquariums. These primarily include shrimp Macrobrachium nipponense - River, Eastern Japanese shrimp. In addition to Macrobrachium nipponense, other representatives of the genus are also kept in aquariums.
Rili shrimp (Neocaridina heteropoda sp. Rili) - the fruit of selection, bred in 1996. in Taiwan, Hisuasu Suzuki (Hisayasu Suzuki) - a Japanese breeder, thereby giving the world a magnificent crystal shrimp.
Here are the approximate conditions that are most favorable for keeping and breeding riley shrimp: an aquarium - from 10 liters, water temperature - 22-28 degrees, pH 6.0 to 8.0 with soft and medium water hardness. Shrimps should preferably be kept in a group of 10 +++ individuals, the aquarium should be rich in aquatic flora - shrimps should have shelters in the form of plants and mosses.
Glass shrimps live for a relatively short time of 1 - 1.5 years and grow up to 4 cm. They are extremely easy to maintain and care for. Ghost shrimp, unlike many other relatives, are not pretentious in soft and slightly acidic water. Water parameters for their content temperature: 22-27 C, pH - 6.5-7.5, kH 5-8; gH 5-8, dH - 4-8; TDS - 120-180. Weekly water changes are a must. Aeration and filtration of water is also necessary. In the aquarium, you need to create places where the ghosts can hide. It can be snags, thickets of plants, piles of stones, etc.
The habitat of the Cardinal shrimp is the rocky areas of the lake of Sulawesi Island in Indonesia. Its average size is one and a half centimeters. They are very active in obtaining food from bottom stones and algae, as well as from snail shells from their native island. Therefore, their home should have an abundance of decorative elements such as aquarium plants, stones, aquarium driftwood and other items that are overgrown with algae. The color intensity of the Cardinal shrimp has nothing to do with gender, age, emotional or physical state of the individual. Body color - various shades of cherry and red, contrasting attractively on the sides with white spots that may be edged with blue. A characteristic feature is the white front paws, with which the crustacean quickly and funny sorts out, getting food.
The Black Tiger Shrimp, also known as the Black Diamond Shrimp (primarily in Japan), is becoming a very popular species with modern shrimp breeders. This species was selectively bred from the common Tiger Shrimp, where, over a long period of time, specimens with the most black stripes were selected for crossing, in the end, the selection gave the long-awaited result and the shrimps became completely black.
There are two varieties of Black Tiger Shrimp - one with black eyes and the other with orange eyes. Moreover, those with orange eyes are valued much higher than their black-eyed relatives.
Types of aquarium shrimp video review
