Ghost Shrimp

Palaemonetes paludosus

Animalia›Arthropoda›Malacostraca›Palaemonidae

📍 Southeastern USA

Ghost shrimp are nearly transparent freshwater shrimp often sold as feeder animals, though they make excellent, inexpensive nano tank inhabitants in their own right. They consume algae, debris, and uneaten food, contributing to tank cleanliness. However, they are sometimes aggressive toward smaller shrimp species.

Size1.5"

Min Tank5g

School3+

peaceful

Zoneall

Care Guide

Diet

Ghost shrimp are opportunistic omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of algae, detritus, and uneaten food from tank mates. Supplement with high-quality shrimp pellets, sinking tablets, and occasional blanched vegetables like zucchini or spinach. Feed small amounts 2-3 times weekly; they are efficient scavengers and often find sufficient food in established tanks.

Behavior

Ghost shrimp are active, peaceful scavengers that spend most of their time foraging along the substrate and plants. They are social creatures and do best in groups of 3 or more, where they exhibit natural schooling behavior. However, they may predate on very small shrimp species and newly molted individuals, so avoid housing with dwarf shrimp varieties.

Breeding

Breeding ghost shrimp in captivity is difficult and rarely successful in home aquariums. Females produce eggs but larvae require brackish water conditions to develop, making home breeding impractical. Most ghost shrimp in the hobby are wild-caught or commercially bred in specialized facilities.

Tank Mates

Otocinclus

Similar size and peaceful temperament; both are algae eaters that occupy different feeding niches

excellent

Neon Tetra

Small, peaceful fish that won't prey on adult ghost shrimp; compatible water parameters

good

Corydoras Duplicareus

Bottom-dwelling catfish with peaceful nature; both benefit from similar substrate and feeding habits

excellent

Dwarf Gourami

Peaceful mid-water dweller; may occasionally nip at shrimp but generally compatible in established tanks

good

Ramshorn Snail

Both are detritivores; peaceful cohabitation with no competition or predation concerns

excellent

Java Moss

Provides shelter, grazing surfaces, and breeding grounds for ghost shrimp

excellent

Common Diseases

Molting Problems

Symptoms

Shrimp stuck in old exoskeleton, inability to shed, lethargy after failed molt

Treatment

Ensure adequate calcium and minerals through quality water and supplementation; maintain stable water parameters; provide soft plants for assistance during molting

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Cloudy appearance, white spots or patches on body, lethargy, loss of appetite

Treatment

Perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days; maintain pristine water quality with ammonia at 0 ppm; remove affected individuals if condition worsens

Parasitic Infection

Symptoms

Excessive scratching against surfaces, visible parasites on body, weight loss, behavioral changes

Treatment

Quarantine affected shrimp; perform frequent water changes; avoid chemical treatments which harm shrimp; salt baths (1-2 tablespoons per gallon) may help in severe cases