Ghost Shrimp Care Guide (Palaemonetes paludosus)

Ghost Shrimp, scientifically known as Palaemonetes paludosus, are one of the most popular freshwater shrimp in the aquarium hobby. Valued for their transparent bodies, algae-eating behavior, and affordability, Ghost Shrimp are commonly kept as clean-up crew members, feeder shrimp, or beginner shrimp pets.

Despite their hardy reputation, proper care is essential to ensure longevity and natural behavior.

Complete Freshwater Shrimp Care & Tank Setup

Quick Care Overview

• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Adult Size: 1.5–2 inches
• Lifespan: ~1 year
• Tank Size: 5 gallons minimum
• Temperature: 65–80°F
• pH: 7.0–8.0
• Diet: Omnivore / scavenger

Natural Origin & Behavior

Ghost Shrimp are native to freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands across North America, especially in slow-moving or vegetated waters. In aquariums, they are active scavengers, constantly picking at surfaces for food.

Their transparent bodies make them fascinating to watch—you can often see their internal organs and even eggs in gravid females.

Tank Setup for Ghost Shrimp

Aquarium Size

• Minimum 5 gallons
• Larger tanks offer better stability

Substrate

• Sand or fine gravel
• Shrimp-safe planted substrates are ideal

Décor & Hiding Places

• Live plants (Java moss, Anubias, floating plants)
• Driftwood and rockwork
• Shrimp hides or leaf litter

🪵 Hiding spots are crucial during molting.

Filtration

• Sponge filters or shrimp-safe intakes
• Gentle flow preferred

Water Parameters

Stable water is more important than “perfect” numbers:

• Temperature: 65–80°F
• pH: 7.0–8.0
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <20 ppm

⚠️ Ghost Shrimp are very sensitive to ammonia, copper, and sudden parameter swings.

Feeding & Diet

Ghost Shrimp are omnivorous scavengers, but should not rely on algae alone.

Recommended Foods:

• Shrimp pellets & wafers
• Algae wafers
• Blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach)
• Biofilm and detritus

🍽 Feed lightly—overfeeding leads to poor water quality.

Tank Mates

Compatible Tank Mates

• Small, peaceful community fish
• Snails
• Other shrimp species

Avoid

• Large or aggressive fish
• Cichlids
• Betta fish (often predatory)

⚠️ Ghost Shrimp may be eaten if kept with predatory fish.

Molting & Growth

Like all shrimp, Ghost Shrimp shed their exoskeleton as they grow.

• Molting is normal and healthy
• Leave molts in the tank—shrimp eat them for calcium
• Sudden deaths often result from failed molts, usually due to water instability

💡 Stable parameters = successful molts.

Breeding Ghost Shrimp

Ghost Shrimp can breed in freshwater, though survival rates are low in community tanks.

• Females carry visible green eggs
• Larvae are planktonic
• Best breeding success occurs in species-only setups

Common Issues & Tips

• ❌ Sudden deaths → check ammonia & copper
• ❌ Molting problems → stabilize water & avoid rapid changes
• ❌ Shrimp disappearing → likely eaten by tankmates

✔ Always dechlorinate water
✔ Avoid copper-based medications
✔ Acclimate slowly using drip acclimation

Are Ghost Shrimp Right for You?

Ghost Shrimp are ideal if you want:

• A low-cost shrimp species
• A clean-up crew for freshwater tanks
• A beginner-friendly invertebrate
• Live feeders (where ethically appropriate)

They’re not ideal for:

• Predator tanks (unless feeders)
• Highly unstable aquariums

Ghost Shrimp are simple, fascinating, and useful aquarium inhabitants when kept in the right environment. With stable water, gentle tank mates, and proper feeding, they can thrive and add constant activity to your aquarium.