Ghost Shrimp Care Guide (Palaemonetes paludosus)

The Ghost Shrimp is the most underrated freshwater invertebrate in the hobby — a transparent, almost crystalline aquarium shrimp that scavenges leftover food, grazes algae, and gives you a fascinating look at how a shrimp actually works (you can see the food moving through their gut). At Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Ghost Shrimp are our most-recommended starter invertebrate: hardy, inexpensive, peaceful, and the perfect way to find out if you actually enjoy keeping shrimp before investing in a full Neocaridina or Caridina colony.

They're also one of the most commonly mishandled shrimp in the hobby. Most "my Ghost Shrimp keep dying" complaints trace back to the same three causes: copper exposure, copper-based medications, or being kept with predator fish that pick them off after lights-out. This guide walks you through how to actually keep Ghost Shrimp thriving, based on how we keep and ship them.

Ready to add some to your freshwater aquarium? Browse our Ghost Shrimp and the rest of our Shrimp collection — every shrimp quarantined before shipping.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Palaemonetes paludosus (sometimes Palaemonetes sp.)
• Common names: Ghost Shrimp, Glass Shrimp, Eastern Glass Shrimp
• Origin: Southeastern United States — freshwater swamps, slow rivers, and ditches
• Adult size: 1.5–2 inches (3–5 cm)
• Lifespan: 1–2 years with good care
• Temperament: Peaceful scavenger; mildly opportunistic toward sick or sleeping small fish
• Care level: Beginner-friendly
• Minimum tank size: 5 gallons; 10+ gallons preferred for a colony

Are Ghost Shrimp Hard to Keep?

No — they're one of the easiest freshwater invertebrates in the hobby and a far better starter shrimp than the higher-priced Neocaridina or Caridina species. They tolerate a wide pH range, handle moderate temperature swings, and don't require the precise water parameters that more delicate shrimp need.

The catch: like all freshwater aquarium shrimp, they're fatally sensitive to copper. Trace copper from old plumbing, copper-based fish medications, or some plant fertilizers will kill an entire shrimp colony within hours. Avoid those and Ghost Shrimp are nearly bulletproof.

Tank Size & Setup

Minimum tank size

• Small group (5–10 shrimp): 5 gallons
• Display colony (15–25 shrimp): 10 gallons
• Mixed nano community with shrimp: 10–20 gallons

Footprint matters more than height. Ghost Shrimp graze along the bottom substrate, climb aquarium plants and décor, and use the full bottom area of the tank.

Substrate

Sand or fine black gravel both work well. Sand is gentler on their delicate legs and long antennae, and lets uneaten food sit on top where they can find it. Avoid sharp gravel that can damage molting shrimp. Molting is a vulnerable time, and most problems trace back to water chemistry — see our guide to shrimp molting problems to keep sheds clean.

Aquascape

• Live aquarium plants are ideal. Java moss, hornwort, Anubias, and floating plants give shrimp infinite grazing surface and shelter from fish.
• Hiding spots are essential during shrimp molt. Cholla wood, ceramic shrimp huts, PVC bits, or rock caves let shrimp hide for the 12–24 hours after a molt when their new shell is still soft and they're vulnerable.
• Driftwood and Indian almond leaves. Tannins gently lower pH and provide biofilm — a primary natural food source for shrimp.

Filtration & flow

A sponge filter is the gold standard for any shrimp tank. It provides biological filtration, oxygenation, and won't suck up baby shrimp. If using a power filter like a HOB or canister, cover the intake with a sponge or fine mesh. For more help, see our aquarium filtration guide.

Heating

Heating is optional. Ghost Shrimp tolerate room-temperature water (65–82°F) and don't strictly need a heater in most homes. If your room drops below 65°F or you're keeping them with tropical fish, use a 25–50 watt heater set to 72–76°F for optimal comfort.

Water Parameters

Stability matters more than perfect numbers. Use a quality water conditioner like Seachem Prime on every water change. Never use copper-based medications or copper-containing plant fertilizers in a shrimp tank. We offer free water testing at our Cheyenne store — bring in a sample.

Diet & Feeding

Ghost Shrimp are omnivorous scavengers. In a community tank they survive almost entirely on leftover fish food, biofilm, and eating algae. In a species-only shrimp tank you'll want to supplement their diet.

• Staple: sinking algae wafers, sinking pellets, and shrimp-specific foods (Hikari Shrimp Cuisine, Bacter AE, Repashy Shrimp Sufa)
• Vegetables: blanched zucchini, spinach, peas, or green beans 2× per week
• Protein occasionally: frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp 1× per week
• Biofilm and algae: their primary natural food — leaving some algae on the glass and decor is good for them

Feed only what they finish in 1–2 hours. Shrimp eat slowly, so don't compare to fish-feeding speed. Remove uneaten veggies after a few hours to prevent water fouling. For more, see our how often to feed your fish guide.

Tank Mates

Ghost Shrimp are peaceful aquarium shrimp but small enough to become a snack for many community fish. The "rule of thumb" is anything with a mouth larger than the shrimp will eventually eat one.

Great tank mates

• Other shrimp — Neocaridina (Cherry, Blue Dream, Yellow), Amano, Bamboo shrimp
• Snails — Mystery, Nerite, Ramshorn
• Small peaceful nano schooling fish — Celestial Pearl Danios, Chili Rasboras, ember tetras
• Otocinclus catfish
• Pygmy corydoras
• Endler's livebearers

Avoid

• Bettas (mixed results — many bettas hunt shrimp relentlessly)
• Angelfish, gouramis larger than honey or sparkling gouramis
• Any cichlid, including dwarfs
• Goldfish, tiger barbs, larger tetras
• Loaches (many species are dedicated shrimp hunters)
• Guppies and platies (will eat baby shrimp but rarely adults)

Risky but possible

Ghost Shrimp themselves can occasionally pick at sick, sleeping, or very small fish like fry. They're not aggressive, but display opportunistic scavenging behavior. Most keepers never see this ghost shrimp behavior, but it's documented.

Male vs. Female: How to Sex Ghost Shrimp

Sexing Ghost Shrimp is simpler than you'd expect once they reach adult size:

• Males are smaller and slimmer with a less pronounced underbelly curve.
• Females are larger, with a more rounded underbelly. Mature female shrimp often develop a visible saddle — a green or yellow patch of eggs visible through their transparent body just behind the head.
• Berried females carry 20–30 fertilized eggs under their tail, fanning them with their swimmerets.

Breeding Ghost Shrimp

Here's the catch with Ghost Shrimp: females readily breed and carry eggs, but the larvae are brackish-water dependent — most won't survive in pure freshwater. Successful breeding takes more effort than Neocaridina shrimp.

• Berried females: Females carry green or yellow eggs under their tail for 2–3 weeks before hatching.
• Larvae: Newly hatched larvae are tiny, free-swimming, and require microscopic food (infusoria, green water, powdered fry food).
• Brackish requirement: Most Ghost Shrimp larvae from Palaemonetes paludosus can survive in pure freshwater, but Palaemonetes shrimp from other species (commonly mixed in shipments) need slight brackish water (1–2 ppt salinity) to survive past the first few days.
• Reality check: In a community tank, fish will eat the larvae before they reach juvenile size. To raise them, separate berried females into a 5-gallon larvae tank with no fish.
• Adult shrimp size: Larvae go through a metamorphosis at 2–3 weeks and become miniature shrimp able to live in pure freshwater.

Most hobbyists never raise Ghost Shrimp larvae successfully. That's normal. Buy replacements as needed — they're inexpensive.

Common Problems & Diseases

• Sudden colony die-off: almost always copper exposure (medication, plumbing, plant fertilizer), an ammonia spike, or massive temperature or water parameter swings. Check those three first.
• Failure to molt: insufficient calcium or low GH. Add cuttlebone or mineral supplements; target 5+ dGH for healthy shrimp molt.
• White ring of death: a visible white ring around the shrimp's midsection indicates a failed molt. Usually fatal. Cause: poor water quality, mineral imbalance, or stress.
• Vorticella: white fuzzy growth on the shell. Treat with salt dips or Seachem ParaGuard at half dose.
• Dactylogyrus / scutariella: tiny worms visible on the shrimp's head. Treat with Seachem ParaGuard or specific shrimp-safe medications.
• Disappearing shrimp: usually predation by fish you didn't think were a threat. Ghost Shrimp also do die from old age (1–2 year lifespan), so a slow decline over many months is normal.

Tips for Long-Term Success

• Never use copper. Check every fish medication label and every plant fertilizer. Copper is fatal to all freshwater shrimp at any level.
• Drip-acclimate slowly. Shrimp are sensitive to water parameter swings. A 1–2 hour drip acclimation prevents most arrival deaths.
• Sponge filter or covered intake. Open HOB intakes will eventually suck up shrimp and baby shrimp (shrimplets).
• Provide hiding spots. Molting shrimp are vulnerable for 12–24 hours and need cover.
• Don't overstock predator fish. Bettas, gouramis, larger tetras, and similar tank mates will pick off shrimp at night when you don't see it.
• Buy from a quarantining source. Every shrimp we sell at Tropical Treasures Wyo is quarantined in-house — wild-caught Ghost Shrimp from chain stores often arrive with internal parasites or heavy losses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Ghost Shrimp clean tanks?

They eat algae, leftover food, and detritus, which helps maintain water quality — but they don't replace regular water changes or substrate vacuuming. Think of them as a helpful algae eater and maintenance supplement, not a substitute.

Will Ghost Shrimp breed in my freshwater aquarium?

Females will carry eggs, but most larvae need brackish water to survive past the first few days. Successful freshwater breeding is rare without separating larvae into a dedicated species tank.

How long do Ghost Shrimp live?

1–2 years on average. They're shorter-lived than Neocaridina shrimp.

Are Ghost Shrimp good for beginners?

Yes — they're hardy, inexpensive, and forgiving. The perfect way to test whether you enjoy keeping shrimp before stepping up to Cherry, Blue Dream, or Caridina Crystal Red shrimp.

Can I keep Ghost Shrimp with Neocaridina (Cherry) shrimp?

Yes — they coexist peacefully. Different species, no interbreeding, no competition. See our Neocaridina shrimp care guide.

What's the difference between Ghost Shrimp and Amano Shrimp?

Ghost Shrimp are smaller, transparent, less expensive, and live 1–2 years. Amano Shrimp are larger (up to 2 inches), beige with spots, more aggressive algae eaters, and live 2–3 years. See our Ghost Shrimp vs. Amano Shrimp comparison.

Can Ghost Shrimp be kept with bettas?

Mixed results — depends entirely on the betta's temperament. Many bettas hunt shrimp relentlessly. If you try it, provide heavy plant cover and be prepared to lose shrimp.

How many Ghost Shrimp can I keep in a 10-gallon?

15–25 comfortably. Shrimp have low bioload so you can keep more than fish per gallon, but more shrimp means more frequent water changes.

Why are my Ghost Shrimp turning white or cloudy?

Several causes: stress (recent acclimation, temperature swings), parasitic infection, or end-of-life. A small white spot near the saddle is often just developing eggs in females — normal.

Shop Ghost Shrimp at Tropical Treasures Wyo

Visit us in Cheyenne at 190 S College Dr, or order online — we ship healthy, quarantined shrimp and aquarium supplies nationwide to all 48 states with our 7-day live arrival guarantee.

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Shop Everything You Need at Tropical Treasures Wyo

• Ghost Shrimp
• All Shrimp
• Seachem Aquavitro Shrimp GH (Mineral Supplement)
• Aquavitro Shrimp Dome (Shelter / Feeding Hide)
• Aquavitro Shrimp Small Hut
• Sponge Filters
• Indian Almond Leaves
• Cholla Wood
• Sinking Algae Wafers
• Seachem Prime

Visit us in person at 190 S College Drive, Suite D, Cheyenne, WY 82007 or call 307-369-1118. We offer free water testing for Cheyenne locals, expert advice for every tank size, and nationwide shipping to all 48 states with a 7-day live arrival guarantee.

Related guides: Ghost Shrimp vs. Amano Shrimp · Neocaridina Shrimp Care Guide · Celestial Pearl Danio Care Guide · Chili Rasbora Care Guide · How to Set Up Your First Aquarium · Common Fish Diseases & Treatments