Ghost Shrimp: Palaemonetes paludosus

Ghost Shrimp

A near-transparent scavenger sold cheaply as feeder stock. Larger and more predatory than Neocaridina — it will take fry and smaller shrimp.

Natural Habitat & Origin

Freshwater streams, ponds and swamps of the southeastern United States.

Care Requirements

Keep Ghost Shrimp at 20-28°C with a pH of 7.0-8.0. Hardy and adaptable, which is why it is sold cheaply as feeder stock. Tolerates a wide range provided ammonia is zero.

Use the Aquarium Tracker to log these parameters against your own readings — it flags a drift before it becomes a problem.

Diet & Feeding

An opportunistic scavenger that takes almost anything — leftover food, detritus, algae and, given the chance, smaller tank mates.

Behaviour & Temperament

More predatory than its appearance suggests. Larger individuals hunt fry and will kill smaller dwarf shrimp.

Tank Mates

Poor company for Neocaridina or Caridina colonies and for fry. Suits community tanks of fish too large to be caught.

Breeding

Larvae need brackish water to develop, so it rarely breeds successfully in a freshwater aquarium.

Common Health Issues

Often arrives in poor condition from feeder tanks. Quarantine before adding to a display.