Ghost Shrimp Care Guide: The Transparent Clean-Up Crew

Ghost shrimp (Palaemonetes paludosus) are among the most affordable and fascinating invertebrates in the freshwater hobby. Their nearly transparent bodies allow you to watch food passing through their digestive tract in real time — a biology lesson swimming around your tank. If you have been searching for a reliable ghost shrimp care guide suited to Singapore’s tropical climate, Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park has you covered with over 20 years of hands-on experience.

Ghost Shrimp Overview

Ghost shrimp, also called glass shrimp, originate from freshwater streams and ponds across North America. They typically reach 3–5 cm in length and live for about one to two years. Their transparent appearance serves as natural camouflage against predators, and under the right conditions, females may develop a greenish tint from visible eggs beneath their carapace.

Tank Requirements

A group of six to ten ghost shrimp does well in a tank as small as 20 litres, though a 40-litre setup gives them more grazing area. They appreciate gentle filtration — a sponge filter is ideal since it prevents tiny shrimplets from being sucked in. Maintain the temperature between 22 °C and 28 °C, which aligns perfectly with Singapore’s ambient room temperature. The pH should be between 6.5 and 8.0, with GH of 4–8 dGH.

Aquascaping for Ghost Shrimp

Provide plenty of live plants such as Java moss, Java fern and Anubias. Ghost shrimp love picking through moss for biofilm and tiny food particles. Driftwood and leaf litter add tannins that mimic their natural habitat. Fine sand or smooth gravel works best as substrate, allowing the shrimp to sift for fallen food without injuring their delicate appendages.

Diet and Feeding

Ghost shrimp are omnivorous scavengers that eat algae, biofilm, leftover fish food and decaying plant matter. Supplement their diet with blanched vegetables like zucchini or spinach, algae wafers and the occasional piece of blanched cucumber. They also enjoy commercial shrimp pellets. Feed small amounts every one to two days — overfeeding fouls the water quickly in small tanks.

Tank Mates

Because ghost shrimp are small and defenceless, choose peaceful tank mates carefully. Good companions include small tetras, rasboras, otocinclus, Corydoras catfish and other dwarf shrimp. Avoid keeping them with cichlids, large gouramis, bettas (some bettas will hunt them) or any fish large enough to swallow them whole.

Breeding Ghost Shrimp

Ghost shrimp breed readily in captivity. Females carry clusters of green eggs beneath their bodies for about two to three weeks before releasing free-swimming larvae. The larvae are tiny and require microscopic food such as infusoria or powdered fry food for the first week. A dedicated breeding tank without predators dramatically improves survival rates. Maintain stable water parameters — sudden changes in temperature or hardness can cause females to drop their eggs.

Common Health Issues

Vorticella, a protozoan that appears as white fuzz on the shrimp’s body, is the most common ailment. Improving water quality usually resolves mild cases. Bacterial infections can cause milky white patches inside the normally transparent body. Copper-based medications are lethal to all shrimp, so always check medicine labels before dosing a tank that houses invertebrates.

Singapore-Specific Tips

Singapore’s tap water, treated by PUB, tends to be soft with moderate pH — generally suitable for ghost shrimp without modification. During hotter months, ensure the tank stays below 30 °C, as prolonged heat stress shortens their lifespan. Ghost shrimp are readily available at local fish shops along Serangoon North and at Qian Hu Fish Farm, typically costing under $1 each.

Conclusion

Ghost shrimp are the perfect entry point into invertebrate keeping. They are affordable, easy to care for and endlessly entertaining to watch. Visit Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park for expert advice on creating the ideal ghost shrimp setup for your home.