The Zebra Pleco Tank (L046)

[plankton]

You'll need a source of calcium for the shrimp.

[FishBubs]

How about keeping a bit of cuttle bone in there? I also give my shrimps hikari shrimp cuisine

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254707619546 ... 3EQAvD_BwE

And fish science shrimp sticks. (Both snails and shrimps munch both)

https://www.horizonaquatics.co.uk/produ ... 6097599545

[Martinspuddle]

I do wonder if the water is too soft for the shrimp having a massive tree in there releasing loads of tannins, etc.

@Si4geckos what your water parameters?

If they're Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cf. cantonensis) their happiest in pH 6.8 to 7.2, dGH 4 to 6, dKH of 0 to 2 and a TDS of no more than 200ppm.

[Si4geckos]

Somebody keep me off the Internet please!!

Welcome to the family another x4 zebras!! What am I doing?? The new group is x2 males and x2 females.
I can't quote decide if I'll keep both males or not, but looking back at my old photos of what I had in zebra land already, I may have another female (still TBC, but I'm getting better at identifying them).

That'd mean I'd have x2 males and x2 females in there. I've added x2 more females and one male and the other male is currently in a temporary tank. Tempted to add him if it makes the numbers even. If it's 5 males and 3 females I may have to find new waters for him. Or just add him to the big tank with the other 3. I have too many fish!

Thanks for the shrimp advice. I'd added a fair amount of crushed coral and the PH still reads 6.0. The last 10 shrimp I added seem to have survived a couple of weeks (saw 9 at water change) and 1 was berried too so heading in the right direction.

Wish me luck with the zebras. I need to get more babies asap and replace some bank balances asap! Here's some photos of the new stock!

[Martinspuddle]

Your getting like me @Si4geckos.

I like photography, particularly film photography and cameras. Like many who do, I suffer from a condition that's known as G.A.S. - Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

Think your condition is closely related to G.A.S. and probably should be known as F.A.S. - Fish Acquisition Syndrome.

I'm sorry to tell you, there is no cure for this condition and is usually terminal for your wallet.

[FishBubs]

A bunch of nice fish there. Photos are great. The new ones look darker than your original set which of course now leads me to an interesting question. Are body markings a ‘fingerprint’ equivalent?

[plankton]

Crushed coral may not be enough for the shrimp. If you use "cuttlebone" you can break a small piece off, boil it for a couple of minutes and then pop it in the tank, the shrimp will graze on it.
It's also cheaper then crushed coral (which I'm always very dubious about with fish in there - mouth damage) and last for ages.
I'm currently toying with getting shrimp again, but I need to save up after my own new additions....

[Si4geckos]

Your getting like me @Si4geckos.

I like photography, particularly film photography and cameras. Like many who do, I suffer from a condition that's known as G.A.S. - Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

Think your condition is closely related to G.A.S. and probably should be known as F.A.S. - Fish Acquisition Syndrome.

I'm sorry to tell you, there is no cure for this condition and is usually terminal for your wallet.

I'm a collector or everything haha. I really do need to rehome some fish ASAP. And probably some photography gear too. But it comes in handy occasionally.

[Si4geckos]

A bunch of nice fish there. Photos are great. The new ones look darker than your original set which of course now leads me to an interesting question. Are body markings a ‘fingerprint’ equivalent?

Everyone pattern is definitely different. The seller assures me these x4 cane from x4 different sources and shops all over the country so hopefully x4 different bloodlines.

I know some people have been selective breeding 'thin line' zebras to get thinner black stripes and more white on the body. I like em all.

The darkness could well be due to poor/ back lighting. I'll try and get more photos once they're settled in and if they ever reappear.

[Si4geckos]

Crushed coral may not be enough for the shrimp. If you use "cuttlebone" you can break a small piece off, boil it for a couple of minutes and then pop it in the tank, the shrimp will graze on it.
It's also cheaper then crushed coral (which I'm always very dubious about with fish in there - mouth damage) and last for ages.
I'm currently toying with getting shrimp again, but I need to save up after my own new additions....

I normally stick a bag (old sock) of crushed coral in the filter and top up every months or so. Always worked when I had the thriving shrimp tank of 600+ shrimp. Only difference is I had less 'tree' in the tank back then to lower PH. I've already ordered some cattle bone when you previously suggested it. Hopefully arrives soon.

Loads of new yellow shrimplets hatching the breeder box today.

Why do you boil the cuttle bone first by the way? To soften it? Is this essential?