Ghost Shrimp Care Guide

Ghost Shrimp (Palaemonetes paludosus) is a beginner-level freshwater invertebrate that needs at least 5 gallons and 68-82°F. A see-through freshwater shrimp that cleans up scraps and is fun to watch. It lives only about a year or two, and it is larger and more predatory than cherry shrimp, so do not count on baby shrimp surviving in the same tank.

Care facts at a glance

Quick tips

• Avoid copper-based medications.
• Provide hiding spots for molting.
• Do not mix with tiny shrimp you want to breed.

San Diego water

Tolerates San Diego's hard, alkaline tap water (pH roughly 7.6-8.6) with slow acclimation and a conditioner that handles chloramine. Learn the numbers in our San Diego tap water guide.

Before you buy

Make sure your tank is cycled (how to cycle a tank), check your numbers with the water testing guide, and use the compatibility guide to check tankmates. These are general ranges; individual fish and local water vary.