Feeder Shrimp

rsteph49 · 03/03/2014, 03:10 PM

So, I'm sure this is a very basic question, and I think I know the answer but I wanted to just confirm my own understanding.

I'm looking at getting a new (large) tank, with some more sophisticated and finicky fish. Among those I was looking at, it was suggested to get feeder shrimp, the fish can hunt and eat, to help with the feeding transition.

Our local shop sells "ghost shrimp" for freshwater tanks; are these also considered "feeder shrimp" and if so, can I take some that are currently in fresh water and put them in my saltwater tank, or will they not survive in the different water environment? I'm assuming they are the same thing, and I can, but I wanted to see if I was on the right page on this.

Thank you.

Uncle Salty 05 · 03/03/2014, 03:30 PM

Feeding freshwater ghost shrimp to saltwater fish will not give them proper nutrition. It can be a useful tool in getting a feeding response, but is not healthy long term.
Frozen PE Mysis soaked in Selcon is what I would recommend for long term use.

rsteph49 · 03/03/2014, 03:44 PM

Are there any good live saltwater feeder shrimp?

I'm looking to get a larger tank (220 gallon), and looking to get a banded cat shark. I've been doing a lot of research on tank size, layout, feeding, etc. on these guys and one of the suggestions was to use live saltwater feeder shrimp to entice it to feed, then move to shrimp, scallops or pieces of fresh marine fish. So I was curious if I could use the ghost shrimp as a starter food for him (when the time comes). Wasn't sure if that was the same as a saltwater feeder shrimp.

Uncle Salty 05 · 03/03/2014, 03:52 PM

Do you live near the sea?

snorvich · 03/03/2014, 04:23 PM

You would be better off feeding squid or other seafood from the "people market". Shrimp would get expensive and not be as effective.

Uncle Salty 05 · 03/03/2014, 04:25 PM

If you live near the sea, go to Walmart and buy a $30 cast net.
You will have more food than you know what do do with.

rsteph49 · 03/04/2014, 10:30 AM

I'd like to do that, and I may do that when I visit Myrtle Beach in a few weeks. Unfortunately I live in the Midwest, so I have to rely on my local fish stores...

Nina51 · 03/04/2014, 10:37 AM

i get the freshwater ghost shrimp just once in a while because it's so much fun to watch my long nosed hawkfish. he will swoop, grab, then perch on a rock with it sticking out of his mouth. it's like he's taunting the other fish...nanabooboo!!

Uncle Salty 05 · 03/04/2014, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsteph49

I'd like to do that, and I may do that when I visit Myrtle Beach in a few weeks. Unfortunately I live in the Midwest, so I have to rely on my local fish stores...

Are you driving?
If so take the biggest cooler you have room for.

And a battery powered air pump (with extra batteries).

davocean · 03/04/2014, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorvich

You would be better off feeding squid or other seafood from the "people market". Shrimp would get expensive and not be as effective.

Agree, and it should not be that difficult to get them to eat.
I would be careful of trying to collect anything from local shores, one, make sure you don't need any sort of collectors permit, or a fishing license, and two be careful of contaminants that are more common close to shore and at surface.

Sk8r · 03/04/2014, 01:36 PM

Best arrangement to let them forage naturally is to set up a large refugium: a planted tank that will breed mysis, copepods and amphipods: they can get through a pump alive, to end up in your display tank, and serve as forage for mandarins and other small fish, helping when you have to go out of town.

03/03/2014, 03:10 PM	#1
rsteph49 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 15	Feeder Shrimp So, I'm sure this is a very basic question, and I think I know the answer but I wanted to just confirm my own understanding. I'm looking at getting a new (large) tank, with some more sophisticated and finicky fish. Among those I was looking at, it was suggested to get feeder shrimp, the fish can hunt and eat, to help with the feeding transition. Our local shop sells "ghost shrimp" for freshwater tanks; are these also considered "feeder shrimp" and if so, can I take some that are currently in fresh water and put them in my saltwater tank, or will they not survive in the different water environment? I'm assuming they are the same thing, and I can, but I wanted to see if I was on the right page on this. Thank you.

03/03/2014, 03:30 PM	#2
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	Feeding freshwater ghost shrimp to saltwater fish will not give them proper nutrition. It can be a useful tool in getting a feeding response, but is not healthy long term. Frozen PE Mysis soaked in Selcon is what I would recommend for long term use. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

03/03/2014, 03:52 PM	#4
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	Do you live near the sea? __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

03/03/2014, 04:25 PM	#6
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	If you live near the sea, go to Walmart and buy a $30 cast net. You will have more food than you know what do do with. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

03/04/2014, 10:37 AM	#8
Nina51 biggliest cofveve champ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: 5th floor, Illinois, gewgaw expert Posts: 3,506	i get the freshwater ghost shrimp just once in a while because it's so much fun to watch my long nosed hawkfish. he will swoop, grab, then perch on a rock with it sticking out of his mouth. it's like he's taunting the other fish...nanabooboo!! __________________ of all the things i've lost, i miss my gary the most. Never hold your farts in. They travel up your spine into your brain, and that is where crappy ideas come from. Current Tank Info: i gave my reef away and i feel like a bird out of a cage!!

03/03/2014, 03:44 PM	#3
rsteph49 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 15	Are there any good live saltwater feeder shrimp? I'm looking to get a larger tank (220 gallon), and looking to get a banded cat shark. I've been doing a lot of research on tank size, layout, feeding, etc. on these guys and one of the suggestions was to use live saltwater feeder shrimp to entice it to feed, then move to shrimp, scallops or pieces of fresh marine fish. So I was curious if I could use the ghost shrimp as a starter food for him (when the time comes). Wasn't sure if that was the same as a saltwater feeder shrimp.

03/03/2014, 04:23 PM	#5
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	You would be better off feeding squid or other seafood from the "people market". Shrimp would get expensive and not be as effective.

03/04/2014, 10:30 AM	#7
rsteph49 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 15	I'd like to do that, and I may do that when I visit Myrtle Beach in a few weeks. Unfortunately I live in the Midwest, so I have to rely on my local fish stores...

03/04/2014, 01:36 PM	#11
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Best arrangement to let them forage naturally is to set up a large refugium: a planted tank that will breed mysis, copepods and amphipods: they can get through a pump alive, to end up in your display tank, and serve as forage for mandarins and other small fish, helping when you have to go out of town. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.