Keeping freshwater shrimp has become very popular in the fish-keeping hobby.
Their vibrant colors and unique behaviors allow them to give your tank a new and interesting addition.
One of the most important aspects of keeping freshwater shrimp such as Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp is creating the optimal environment, which includes the temperature of the water.
Generally, a heater should be used inside a tank containing freshwater shrimp. Though the temperature itself may not need a heater, keeping the temperature constant which is enabled by the use of a heater allows for the creation of a stable environment that creates the best situation for freshwater shrimp.
Let’s take a closer look at why a heater is a good thing to have in your tank with freshwater shrimp.
Understanding Why A Heater Should Be Used
When looking at freshwater shrimp, there is a wide variety of shrimp species, and the temperature that the tank should be to make it ideal for them.
These species include the popular Cherry Shrimp which is part of the Neocaridina family, and Caridina shrimp like the Crystal Shrimp, if you would like to know more about how Neocaridina and Caridina compare, read this article.
This would also include other shrimp such as the Amano Shrimp and Ghost Shrimp.
Each of these types of shrimp originates from their distinct habitats and temperature requirements, but they all do best in water that stays at a constant temperature.
This doesn’t mean that they are not able to handle some change, but it needs to be a slow, gradual process, not a quick change.
You also have to consider that in nature they are in bodies of water much larger than your tanks, making the environment they are in take longer to change the actual temperature of the water.
In our tanks, with much smaller amounts of water, not having a heater can cause rapid temperature changes.
This is where a heater can come into play as it can be set to a specific temperature.
In most cases the tank will be indoors which will have some temperature constraints, however with the heater being set, it can effectively keep the temperature at a consistent level.
For most of these shrimp, this temperature should be set between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature will also play a role in the overall health of freshwater shrimp.
This includes important biological processes like metabolism, breeding, and their molting process.
Any rapid temperature changes can also lead to stress for your freshwater shrimp, which can lead to higher risks of disease, and also decrease the life expectancy of the shrimp.
How To Choose The Right Heater For Your Freshwater Shrimp
In most cases when looking at a heater for your aquarium, the power of the heater will be described in watts.
The higher the wattage, the more powerful, or in other terms the more water that heater can heat and keep at a consistent temperature.
Most heaters will give an idea of the amount of water it is rated for, and in general, those recommendations should be followed.
You can go with a heater that is rated for larger tanks than your own, however, a downside to this approach is if the heater fails it could cause the tank to become way too hot.
Another approach if you have a larger tank is to take two smaller heaters to add some fail-safe protections in case one fails.
Along with a heater, a reliable thermometer should be added to your tank to be able to monitor the actual temperature of the water.
These can be digital or analog that hang on the outside of the tank, or that go inside your tank and face outward.
The important thing is that it is accurate and readable so that you can make sure that one, the temperature set for your aquarium heater is what it is making the water, and two, it gives added protection by making sure the heater is not malfunctioning in any way.
Many times if an aquarium heater is malfunctioning, it will stay on continuously resulting in tank temperatures that are too high for most of the aquatic life inside.
Remember that the most important thing when it comes to making the temperature of the water good for your shrimp is consistency.
Reducing the sudden changes with a heater and monitoring the temperature with a thermometer is vital for the health and well-being of your shrimp.
Final Thoughts
Though an aquarium heater is mostly known for raising the temperature of the tank water, the main reason that a heater should be used for your freshwater fish is to keep the tank temperature at a constant level.
Having your tank indoors in a climate-controlled space can help reduce some of the large variations in the tank temperature. Still, things like air vents, and windows can all cause some inconsistent temperatures that can be controlled with a heater.
Remember when adding the heater to your shrimp tank, get a heater that is powerful enough to keep your tank water at that consistent temperature, and place it in an area that provides good circulation.