Ghost Shrimp

Ghost Shrimp, also called Glass Shrimp, are nearly transparent freshwater shrimp popular in the aquarium hobby. Their see-through bodies make them fascinating to watch as you can see their internal organs and digestive tract working. They are inexpensive, readily available, and serve as excellent scavengers in community tanks. Ghost Shrimp are frequently sold as feeders for larger fish, but they make interesting pets in their own right. They are active cleaners that constantly scavenge for leftover food, algae, and detritus. While hardy and adaptable, they are more delicate than Amano Shrimp and have shorter lifespans. They are an excellent choice for beginners wanting to try keeping shrimp before investing in more expensive varieties like Cherry or Amano Shrimp.

Care Requirements

Tank Setup

Ghost Shrimp are undemanding:

• Minimum 5 gallons (10+ recommended)
• Sponge filter or gentle filtration
• Heater optional (tolerate wide temperature range)
• Gravel or sand substrate
• Plants and decorations for hiding
• Moderate lighting
• Secure lid - they can climb and jump

Important: Provide hiding spots for molting. They are vulnerable when shedding their exoskeleton.

Water Quality

• Temperature: 65-82°F (18-28°C) - very adaptable
• pH: 7.0-8.0
• Water Hardness: Moderate (6-15 dGH)
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <40 ppm
• Copper: Never use copper medications

Maintenance:

• Weekly 20% water changes
• Hardy and adaptable to various conditions
• Good for beginners
• Monitor water parameters

Feeding

Ghost Shrimp are scavengers:

• Algae and biofilm: Natural grazing
• Leftover fish food: Primary food source
• Detritus: Clean up waste
• Algae wafers: Supplemental
• Blanched vegetables: Occasional treats

Feeding Schedule: Usually don’t need supplemental feeding in established tanks with fish.

Note: They are efficient cleaners that find enough food in most community tanks.

Behavior & Compatibility

Peaceful scavengers:

• Good Tank Mates:

  • Community fish (tetras, guppies, danios)
  • Corydoras
  • Small gouramis
  • Peaceful fish too small to eat them

• Avoid With:

  • Large predatory fish
  • Cichlids
  • Goldfish
  • Bettas
  • Loaches
  • Any fish that can fit them in their mouth

Behavior: Constant scavenging on substrate and decorations. Active throughout the day.

Breeding

Can breed in freshwater:

• Live larvae: Unlike Caridina shrimp, they have planktonic larvae
• Free-swimming larvae: Released into water column
• Difficult to raise: Larvae need specific food (plankton)
• Survival: Most larvae die in community tanks
• Dedicated breeding: Possible in species-only tanks with proper feeding

Note: Breeding is possible but raising larvae to adulthood is challenging.

Health Considerations

Generally hardy but delicate:

• Shorter lifespan: 1-1.5 years
• Molting issues: Can get stuck in old shell
• Copper sensitivity: Like all shrimp
• Acclimation: Drip acclimate when adding to tank

Prevention:

• Provide good water quality
• Ensure proper water hardness for molting
• Never use copper medications

Size Considerations

Moderate-sized shrimp:

• Adult size: 1.5-2 inches
• Transparent: See-through body
• Lifespan: 1-1.5 years (shorter than other shrimp)

Appearance

Unique transparent bodies:

• Body: Almost completely transparent/clear
• Internal organs: Visible through body wall
• Digestive tract: Often visible as colored line (depends on food)
• Eyes: Black dots on stalks
• Feelers: Long antennae
• Fascinating: Can watch their heart beating and food digesting

Molting

Regular shedding of exoskeleton:

• Frequency: Young shrimp molt frequently
• Behavior: Hide during molting
• Vulnerability: Very susceptible to predation during molt
• Old shell: Often eaten for calcium
• Failed molts: Can be fatal

Tank Maintenance

• Weekly 20% water changes
• Remove uneaten food
• Let some algae grow for grazing
• Monitor water parameters
• Check for copper before medications

Tips for Success

• Drip acclimate slowly
• Keep with peaceful, small fish only
• Provide hiding spots for molting
• Don’t overfeed (they scavenge naturally)
• Leave old shells in tank
• Good beginner shrimp
• Very affordable (often sold as feeders)
• Fascinating to watch their transparent bodies
• Secure lid - they climb
• Keep water hardness moderate

Comparison to Other Shrimp

• Ghost Shrimp: Transparent, cheaper, shorter lifespan, beginner-friendly
• Cherry Shrimp: Colored, breed easily, longer-lived
• Amano Shrimp: Larger, better algae eaters, don’t breed in freshwater
• All: Peaceful scavengers, copper-sensitive, need hiding spots

Common Uses

• Scavengers: Clean up crew in community tanks
• Feeders: Often sold as live food for larger fish
• Starters: Good beginner shrimp to learn shrimp keeping
• Education: Transparent bodies great for teaching anatomy