Plants Go Well in Freshwater Shrimp Tank

Shrimp tanks are usually small and easy to maintain. However, proper filtration is inevitable in it. Otherwise, a small tank will be a killing site for the shrimps. You can achieve it to some extent by growing plants in your shrimp tank. However, the installation of a filter is inevitable. In the following, you will learn about the best plants for a shrimp tank besides the filters.

Do Shrimp Need a Heavily Planted Tank?

Generally, yes, almost all types of aquarium shrimps do well in planted tanks. However, some shrimp species can do well without planted tanks.

Why do Shrimps Require Planted Tanks?

Most shrimp species love to live in planted tanks for the following reasons.
Food
Shrimps are usually herbivores. Therefore, they use algae and plants as a food source. Moreover, the biofilm that plants produce helps to complete their nutrient requirement.
Shelter
When shrimp molt, plants give them a hiding space. Moreover, they use it as a breeding space and hide in the plants, preventing them from being filtered suction and being preyed chased.
Lighting
Shrimp require low lighting. If they live in a community tank, plants act as screens and reduce the light intensity.
Water Quality
Plants absorb the excessive nutrients from the water and stabilize them. Moreover, they help to avoid algae bloom and maintain the oxygenation level in the tank.

Do Shrimp Need a Heavily Planted Tank

The Best Plants for a Shrimp Tank

Java moss

Java moss is the top priority for any freshwater shrimp tank. They offer an ideal living home for any freshwater shrimp by providing hide-and-play space. Their structure makes them a top choice for baby shrimp tanks. Their fine and large branching structure helps to grow biofilm, i.e., food for shrimps.

Extend read: What are some java moss care tips.

They are hardy and easy to maintain. Fluctuating conditions don’t affect it. Moreover, these plants offer versatility in terms of aquascaping. They can grow as floating plants and carpeting plants. You can attach them to any decor, rock, or driftwood.

Anubias

Anubias Nana, Anubias Nana Petite, and Anubias Pinto are common shrimp tank plant species. They are common among beginners due to their easy care and low maintenance. They have rubber-like leaves that withstand various water conditions. Different species offer versatility in height, coloration, and other aspects.

Extend read: Solutions of the Weird Anubias Plant Rot in Aquariums.

To grow in your tank, tie the rhizome with driftwood, rock, or decor with glue or string. Avoid growing in the substrate, as burying the rhizome can cause root rot. Their wide leaves offer a wide grazing area and help shrimps to hide. Their slow growth rate makes them a suitable option for beginners.

Java Fern

Java fern, especially Trident Java Fern and Mini Java Fern, is among the suitable plants for freshwater shrimp tanks. It is suited to shrimp tanks due to its high adaptability. It can adjust itself to any water condition and requires very low maintenance. It has large leaves. These leaves improve the sense of security of shrimps by offering a hiding spot.

Extend read: The Microsorum Java Fern For Aquariums.

For growing, attach its rhizome to tank decor or any other hardscape. Its large leaves and structure help to grow biofilm, i.e., a treat for the shrimps. Moreover, it spreads spores in the tank to reproduce itself.

Water Wisteria

Water sprite or Hygrophila Difformis, is another home plant for the shrimps. It is common among aquarists as it offers a hide-and-play space for the shrimps. This is due to its dense and lush growth. It’s easy to propagate, trim the plant, bury the offshoot in the substrate, and the rest is magic.

It requires less effort from the aquarists. Additionally, it helps to improve the water quality by absorbing excessive nutrients. It improves the aesthetics of the tank with its lush green and bushy growth. It shows highlighted growth, i.e., forked leaves, on injecting CO2.

Extend read: Indian Fern Ceratopteris Thalictroides Water Sprite.

Dwarf Hairgrass

Dwarf Hairgrass is another option for introducing greenery in the shrimp tank. It has thin leaves and produces a perfect carpet effect in the tank. Japanese Dwarf Hairgrass offers a high carpeting effect due to its fine structure. It offers a huge hiding ground for shrimps along with a grazing field. A biofilm grows on the leaves that fulfill the nutrient requirement for the shrimps.

The other reason for its popularity is easy to care for. Moreover, it is quite hardy and can survive in various water conditions. However, to enjoy their carpet growth, grow them in a nutrient-dense substrate. Its growth varies with the light intensity. In high light, it forms a carpet. On the other hand, at low light, it shows erect or vertical growth. They help to maintain the water quality by absorbing the extra nutrients in the tank.

best plants for shrimp tank

Rotala Indica

Rotala Indica is next on the list due to its bold colors. Its colors help to enhance the aesthetics of the tank. They are suitable for the shrimp tank as they provide hiding spots and offer grazing fields to shrimps. Moreover, they help to maintain the water quality by absorbing the excessive nutrients from the water.

If everything aligns with ideal growth parameters, it shows rapid growth. If you do regular pruning, it will be a part of your tank as long as you want. Some shrimp special, Rotala Indica, are the following.

Christmas Moss

Christmas Moss is another popular choice for the shrimp tank. Its dense growth and bushy structure are the reasons behind its popularity. They offer a great aesthetic appeal to microhabitats. Moreover, it provides grazing and hiding spaces for the shrimps.

It is easy to grow because it does not require a proper substrate. Attach the rhizome to rock, driftwood, or any other hardscape and give your tank a natural look. It shows a slow growth rate and also requires low maintenance. You can grow it in various ways, i.e., carpet, wall, or as a floating plant.

Subwassertang

Subwassertang is another greenery option for your shrimp tank. This addition proves great for beginners due to its low maintenance. It requires minimal lighting and no CO2. It has thin leaves, stranded branches, and shows bushy growth. Attach the rhizome to some hardscape well, and the rest is the story- it will produce beautiful ball shapes for you.

Besides providing the grazing field and hiding area, it acts as a live filter. It takes the excessive nutrients from the water. However, a few considerations are there as well. It requires frequent pruning.

Micranthemum Monte Carlo

Micranthemum Monte Carlo is another great addition to your shrimp tank. It has small and round leaves. These round leaves show dense growth and produce a carpet that enhances the tank’s look. To grow in the tank, introduce it into the substrate.

It helps to hide the fry and small shrimp species, along with providing a grazing surface. It requires moderate lighting and regular pruning, and requires fertilization dosing as well. It is not suitable for absolute beginners. However, you can grow it in your low-tech aquariums.

Dwarf Lillies

Dwarf Lilly is another practical and aesthetic plant for shrimp tanks. It offers compact plant growth that provides grazing and hiding spots to shrimps while molting. It has broad leaves and shows vibrant coloration. Sometimes, it comes out of the water surface and offers an aesthetic look to the tank.

It is suitable for the sensitive shrimp tank as it uptakes the nutrients and helps to stabilize the water parameters. They require a nutrient-rich substrate, moderate to high lighting for compact growth, and 2 to 3 inches of space between consecutive plants. It requires frequent pruning to avoid overcrowding. Moreover, it stops leaf growth during floral growth.

Some Aquatic Plants for Baby Shrimp

plants for baby shrimp tank

Best Filter for Planted Shrimp Tank

Although plants take up excessive nutrients from a planted shrimp tank, filtration is necessary. Without proper filtration, you can face an ammonia spike in your tank. Moreover, a filter helps in removing waste, debris, excessive nutrients, etc. In this way, you will keep your shrimps and plants in prime condition.

Here are two suggested filter products that will help to make your tank a better place for plants and shrimps.

hygger Hang-on-back Canister Filter

hygger HOB canister filter is one of the most suitable filters for any large shrimp tank. It offers improved oxygenation and flow adjustability in the tank.

Versatility

It offers versatility with three outlets, i.e., rainshower pipe, duckbill nozzle, and straight outlet. The rainshower pipe maintains oxygenation, the duckbill nozzle has a proper multi-angle wave moment, and the straight outlet is heaven for the long tanks. At the top of all, it provides chemical, mechanical, and biological filtration.

Shrimp Safe Design

It provides a sponge-covered intake that prevents shrimp and baby shrimp suction. Its flow customization option helps to avoid stress among shrimps. Moreover, it offers an adjustable inlet pipe. You can adjust it up to 5 inches. It is quiet due to the vibration-free motor and low-noise operation.

Setup

It ensures the open aquascaping surface, as only the inlet pipe opening is in the tank. You can hang it with up to 0.7-inch-thick glass. Moreover, you can choose it according to your tank size.

Best Filter for Shrimp Tank

hygger Aquarium Biochemical Sponge Filter

It is another shrimp tank sponge filter option with low flow, gentle filtration, and improved oxygenation. Moreover, it offers beneficial bacterial cultivation.

Key Features

It offers mechanical and biological filtration in the tank and helps to oxygenate the tank without creating stress in the tank.
Shrimp Safe
It offers a shrimp-safe design with low-flow operations and sponge protection at the inlet. A small-sized filter, i.e., up to 20 gallons, is suitable for a shrimp tank. However, you can find it for medium and large tanks as well.
Quick Cleaning
Detachable parts offer quick cleaning. Moreover, it has a spare sponge that increases filter life and reduces downtime.

Consideration

• You need to buy an air pump and tubing.
• Avoid squeezing sponges with tap water as it can kill the beneficial bacteria due to chlorine presence.
• It is suitable for low-tech planted shrimp tanks. It is one of the most suitable filters for breeding shrimp tanks.

Closing Remarks

The plantation is the key feature of any shrimp tank. They provide food and security to them. Moreover, plants also help to improve the water quality in the tank. Java fern, java moss, and many other plants do well in the shrimp tank. Moreover, if you are setting up a separate baby shrimp tank, you can grow plants like Micro or mini Java fern, Anubias barteri var. nana, Cryptocoryne, etc. To maintain pristine water quality, use hygger’s filters and enjoy your shrimp-keeping journey.

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