Ghost Shrimp
Palaemonetes sp.
A cheap, transparent scavenging shrimp, great as a clean-up crew or feeder.
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Min. Tank Size | 40 L |
| Temperature | 20.0–28.0 °C |
| pH Range | 7.0–8.0 |
| Max Size | 4.0 cm |
| Lifespan | 1-2 years |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
Overview
The Ghost Shrimp (Palaemonetes sp.) is a cheap, transparent scavenging shrimp, great as a clean-up crew or feeder. It is a popular choice among Australian aquarists, reaching around 4 cm and living roughly 1-2 years when properly cared for.
This complete guide covers how to keep the Ghost Shrimp successfully - tank size and setup, water parameters, the best foods (including recommended brands), suitable tank mates, breeding, sexing and the health issues to watch for. It is rated Beginner to care for.
Natural Habitat & Origin
Freshwater shrimp come from streams and pools across Asia. They are sensitive to copper, ammonia and rapid changes, so a mature, stable, planted tank is the key to keeping and breeding them.
Matching the temperature, water chemistry and cover a species evolved with is the simplest route to keeping it healthy and seeing its natural behaviour and colour.
Tank Size & Aquarium Setup
Provide a minimum of 40 litres for the Ghost Shrimp. As a group-living species, swimming length and floor space matter more than height.
A mature, planted, copper-free tank with plenty of moss, biofilm and botanicals is ideal; a fine sponge filter protects shrimplets from being sucked in.
Always add fish only to a fully cycled, mature tank with stable biological filtration. Match filtration generously to the fish's size and waste output.
Water Parameters
Keep the Ghost Shrimp in stable water at 20-28 °C with a pH of 7.0-8.0. It adapts to a moderate range, so stability matters more than an exact figure.
Test regularly: ammonia and nitrite must read zero, and nitrate should be kept low with routine partial water changes. Always dechlorinate and temperature-match new water, because sudden swings cause far more illness than water that is stable but slightly imperfect.
Diet & Feeding
The Ghost Shrimp is an easy-going omnivore that accepts a wide range of foods.
In Australia, good options include Hikari Shrimp Cuisine, Dymax Shrimp Booster and blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach), plus the natural biofilm in the tank. Feed small amounts once or twice a day (only what is cleared in a minute or two), vary the diet for the best colour and health, and avoid overfeeding, which is the leading cause of poor water quality.
Temperament & Tank Mates
The Ghost Shrimp is peaceful and community-friendly. It mixes well with other calm species that share its temperature (20-28 °C) and pH (7.0-8.0) needs, are too large to be eaten and not large enough to eat it.
It is happiest in a group of its own kind and is shyer and less settled when kept alone.
Breeding
The Ghost Shrimp is easy to breed in stable, copper-free water - berried females carry eggs under the tail until tiny fully-formed shrimp hatch.
Even if you are not planning to breed it, recognising this behaviour helps you understand what you are seeing and respond well - for example by adding cover for fry or giving a guarding pair extra space.
How to Tell Males from Females
Mature females are larger, deeper-bodied and more intensely coloured, and develop a 'saddle' of eggs behind the head; males are smaller and slimmer.
Common Health Problems
Shrimp are extremely sensitive to copper, ammonia spikes and sudden parameter swings, which are the usual causes of loss; bacterial and fungal infections occur in poor water. Quarantine new arrivals for 2-4 weeks and watch daily for early signs such as loss of appetite, unusual hiding, clamped fins or laboured breathing - caught early, most issues are very treatable.
Prevention beats cure: keep water pristine, avoid overstocking and overfeeding, quarantine new arrivals, and act at the first sign of trouble.
Is the Ghost Shrimp Right for You?
The Ghost Shrimp suits beginners and experienced keepers alike, as long as you can provide at least 40 litres, water at 20-28 °C and pH 7.0-8.0, the right diet and a proper group of its own kind.
Meet those needs and the Ghost Shrimp will reward you for around 1-2 years. Use our free aquarium calculators to plan your setup, and explore our other fish, plant and disease guides to build a thriving aquarium.