How to Breed Shrimp

Shrimp are a food item for humans and fish as well as interesting aquarium animals when placed with appropriate fish species. When you are thinking of breeding your shrimp, whether for selling as an aquarium pet or for food, using the appropriate methods will allow the shrimp to produce tiny fry that take around a month or so to mature to adult shrimp with some variation between types of shrimp.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 large aquariums with side filters
  • Aquarium plants
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up your aquariums, using at least a 10-gallon tank. The exact set-up will vary depending on the type of shrimp. Put in several aquatic plants for hiding spaces, food and the shrimp to walk on. Freshwater shrimp are typically considered easier to breed than saltwater, but you can breed any type of shrimp if you provide the appropriate conditions. For optimal breeding, make sure your water conditions are appropriate. For example, ensure the temperature is optimal for the specific breed, such as between 72 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for tiger shrimp. Specifics will vary for each species of shrimp.

    • 2

      Put male and female shrimp together in a single tank. Female shrimp are larger than males, which is how you typically can tell them apart.

    • 3

      Feed the shrimp. Crab pellets or food designed for shrimp is appropriate. For plankton-eating varieties, using an appropriate water source -- such as water taken from a lake -- will provide plankton.

    • 4

      Watch for the development of eggs. Provided the water conditions are right for the shrimp's optimal environment, you should see eggs on the female shrimp within a short period of time. The eggs are located at the swimmerets of the shrimp.

    • 5

      Separate the females with eggs from the rest of the shrimp. Fry make a potential meal, so you should always separate them when you see that the females have eggs. Put them in a tank with available plankton. Allow the shrimp to hatch. You can keep them with the mother or separate them as you prefer. Allow the fry to grow for a month to two before putting them with older shrimp.