New aquatic pet owner?

Question

I just bought some Japonica shrimp for a school project, but I've never had fish or any other aquatic pet before. I've looked up some info on them, but for people who have fish or other aquarium-dwelling pets: How do you set up an aquarium/ take care of your animals?

Answer 1

It takes alot of work but the finish product is rewarding. You need to buy a tank that is large enough for all your shrimp. The tank has to be cycled before you put fish in there. You can do this by putting a fish such as abetta to get the filter to develop bacteria that produce nitrates which are very important to the tank's cycle.Try putting gravel, plants and a heater that is set to the right temp. for your fish. As for food buy flakes, blood worms, or black worms. Or whatever you find your fish like. Make sure to have proper lighting and provide a 10%-20% water change every week. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Minimum tank size is 10 gallons for this type of creature. They also don't require you have a heater, like most tropical fish. They do well between 60 - 80 degrees. If you choose, you can add some small peaceful tropical fish (with the heater!) such as neon tetras, danios, etc. They won't eat your shrimp :)
They will eat algae, detritus and leftover food from your other fish, really earning their keep in your aquarium. They live 2 - 3 yrs.
Make sure you dechorinate your water when changing it (usually 20 - 30% weekly) with either a dechlorinating product or you can actually leave water in a bucket for about 24 - 48 hours and the chlorine will evaporate (just like in a swimming pool :) ) Add a filter (preferably an in-tank one for a 10 gallon). Cycling is very hard on fish. The ammonia they produce from breathing and their waste is toxic. A bacteria (nitrite) will form to eat the ammonia. It is also toxic. After a couple of weeks another bacteria (nitrate) is formed. The tank is now cycled. The ammonia will be turned to nitrate almost as quickly as it is produced. This is a simplified version...but a basic guideline. Good luck :)

Answer 3

Since this will be your first lets start at the beginning.

When you’re at the store you will deed to get the following basic set up.

Tank - at least 10 gallons because the smaller tanks can actually be harder to maintain.

A FLORESCENT hood. Incandescent lights can give off a lot of heat and overheat your tank. (not likely but it can happen)

I would suggest a hang on power filter, they are the easiest to maintain.

At least 15 pounds of gravel, (about 1.5 to 2 inches in the bottom of the tank.

An air pump, (not really necessary but if you like bubbles you can get one and an air stone.)

A heater, 50watt for a ten gallon tank.

Water conditioner.

A tank stands if you don't have a piece of furniture that you want to use to hold the tank.

2 or 3 plants and a few small decorations, or 1 large one.

You do NOT want to buy any fish at this time because you have to set up the tank and get it running first.

That it for the shopping list. (for now lol)

Now that you have everything home lets set up the tank.

First put the tank on the stand (if you bought one) or on a level, stable, STURDY piece of furniture. (A ten with deco gravel and water will weigh around 130 pounds.), and make sure it is near an electrical outlet so you don't have to use extension cords.

Rinse your gravel and decorations in clear water (NEVER USE SOAP ON ANYTHING IN ON OR AROUND THE TANK) and place them in the tank where you want them. Now place a small bowl on the gravel to pour water on so as not to disturb the deco, and fill the tank half way.

Now is the time to install the heater, filter, and air stone (according to manufacturers instructions) (Rinsed first of course), after they are in finish filling the tank (remove the bowl), and start the filter and heater. Just make sure to use your water conditioner to get the chlorine out of the water.

You want to let the tank run for at least a day before you try to add fish to make sure the temp is right, and that the filter is running properly.

Now you can get 2 or 3 small fish (no more right now) and put them in the tank.

YOUR WATER WILL GET CLOUDY BUT DONT WORRY THIS IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. Their are beneficial bacteria that you need in your tank and the water getting cloudy indicates that they are starting to build up. They break down ammonia and fish poo in the water and you want them there. It will take them about two weeks to get up and running and after that your tank will clear right up.

MAINTENENCE:

You will need to change 20 to 25% of your water each week. (3 to 4 inches for a ten gallon) this helps limit the amount of ammonia and poo in the tank.

You need to change the filter cartridge about once a month, sooner if you get a fishy smell. A healthy tank will have an earthy smell but you will have to be right over the water to smell it. You will learn quickly the difference between a healthy earthy smell and the oh my god something died fishy smell of a dirty tank LMAO...

OK. These are just the basics and I suggest you get a few books on fish keeping, and make friends with the old guy at the local pet shop (every pet store has at least 1 employee who will know the answers to any questions you may have).

Good luck.
E.

Answer 4

That's a lot of info to cover, Jess. I'm glad you're taking the time to care for your shrimp properly, though. I'm going to give you some links to websites that can give you a lot more information that you'll ever need:

on setting up and maintaining an aquarium:
http://www.fishlore.com/
http://www.firsttankguide.net/
http://www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?cls=16

on care for your species of shrimp
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1843
http://www.petshrimp.com/amanoshrimp.html
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile83.html

Answer 5

you need to fill the tank with chemecaly treated water, let it set for 3 weeks to a month, makesure your filter is running properly,put the fish in after a climitization period,then feed twice daily.

Answer 6

it would not be feasible to answer this question and do you a service in the alloted space here.
Please go to the library and borrow any book about whatever animal you decide to have as a pet and read, read, read; then come back online and we will answer your questions.

sorry to be so abrupt