Why should you keep shrimps? This is probably the first crucial question that pops into your head when deciding what type of aquarium to keep. There are two main branches of aquarium keeping, the freshwater and saltwater categories. The saltwater branch is by far the most expensive, with one large tank + sump, upfront and running costs being equivalent to a good sized freshwater ornamental shrimp rack. So, in terms of economics the value for money would definitely go in favour of shrimps. Freshwater fish are definitely lit also, but for me the maintenance required for dwarf shrimps relative to fish is the deterring factor. With ornamental dwarf shrimps the bio load is very small, this doesn’t mean that they don’t produce waste, but the upkeep is more manageable.
So why shrimps? I don’t believe I’ve really answered this question properly, but have provided a holistic viewpoint. I will answer this in 2 parts, first and foremost the main reasons why people keep/ breed shrimps and the second part will be why I personally keep shrimps.
Why People Keep Shrimps
Ornamental shrimps are not all that different from dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, exotic plants etc. that people all over the globe keep, line breed & cultivate.
There are a multitude of reasons why people keep shrimps, but one of the main factor is that it manifests a therapeutic sort of energy into the household and offices. With shrimps requiring only Nano tanks (20L+) it is far easier to add the Feng Shui element as well. This aspect is not new, people love adding nature and bringing nature into their homes, this is apparent with plants such as pothos and variegated plants. It can also help calm the mind, alleviate mental stresses from the chaos of life, especially from recent years, and help bring in some balance to peoples lives. I for one wish & endorse every household to have a piece of nature in their homes.
Another reason for people to keep shrimps is to try something new with less work involved. Many shrimp breeders actually originate from fish keeping, perhaps realising how much less work is required in the upkeep whilst also keeping the beautiful vibrant colours on display. Perhaps they are also downsizing but still want to pursue the hobby a small tank is more affordable to setup.
Similar to animal breeding such as in dog bloodlines, shrimps have various lineages and types that a collector would want to cure the Collectoritis / Multiple Tank Syndrome with. The space required to keep multiple pure dog breeds vs shrimp lines is also a point that needs to be made, a small garage can house a plethora of unique shrimp lines, you can also combine with aquatic plants such as Buce, Anubias, Java fern. Perhaps have Pothos or other plants growing on the sides with correct lighting. Since, the shrimps are nano creatures there’s just more room to play with, unlike cats, dogs, reptiles & birds.
Of course, for profit is another driving factor for breeders to keep shrimps. You won’t become rich per se but it can be fun to benefit from producing quality lines. However, I recommend not focusing on this aspect too much as you may start to lose the love for the hobby as it becomes more business oriented. Definitely, do not quite your day job for shrimps.
It can also be a fun learning experience to learn about the lifecycle of the adorable crustaceans, building and putting together an environment that is hospitable for the shrimps to reproduce and continue the cycle. It’s most definitely an awesome activity for young students to have a shrimp tank in the classroom, perhaps getting to see them feed occasionally as well and noticing changes in behaviour. Although this reason may be niche I have seen posts on this up on our Facebook Group (Shrimp Enthusiasts Australia) it’s very wholesome.
Now this reason might be controversial, but, people most definitely enjoy flexing and being able to breed high end exotic shrimps that are on the premium side is somewhat similar to taking pictures next to sports cars and posting it on Instagram. This signalling aspect of capitalism is of course prevalent across any hobby even shrimps, I for one am all for it as the progression of high end is constantly being pushed by first movers, subsequently the quality of shrimp lines available levels up. Ultimately benefiting newcomers and we have definitely seen massive growth in this aspect for shrimps in Australia over the years, with shrimp contests now being held at Pet shows.
Why I Keep Shrimps
Personally for me, shrimp is an art, the colours combined with a simple scape is something I try to replicate with every tank. That therapeutic element is definitely true, adds some calm and creates I guess some sort of chill vibe. Definitely would like a large 150L planted display tank filled with shrimps and rummy-nose tetras for that Feng shui. Shrimps are also relatively easy to build large colonies similar to ant keeping, which is a cool aspect, the fact that you can build your own underwater city and view its progression overtime.