Talk:Neocaridina heteropoda

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This article states it may be a better algae eater than amano shrimp. Where's the proof? Did someone even do a study in their own home? Most shrimp are very picky eaters when it comes to algae, and only eat the softest algae. So I did my own study. I did not feed my shrimp for 2 weeks and watched the algae growth on the glass and filters. The algae was not reduced at all.

That RCS eat algae is a myth and simply not supported by any research. They might eat SOME very soft species of algae, but not much. In fact, since my tank was planted I suspect they ate the microfauna growing on the plants. It looks like they are eating the algae but in fact they are picking at the microfauna growing among the algae.

Bulrush 14:23, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

lifespan 4 years???[edit]

Where did you get a lifespan of 4 years? For the past 3 years I've heard consistently they live about 18 months. It is unusual to find a dead shrimp in your tank simply because other RCS eat them up. Bulrush 14:23, 30 October 2008 (UTC)


Hi Bulrush, I'd heard that shrimp do indeed eat infusoria and fungus. There is a interesting PDF paper by Tom Barr of the The_Barr_Report web site on this IIRC. See PDF file. But I think you need to be a paid up subscriber to get access to this. (It's not much and it's really worth it).

I've also seen this statement printed in PFK several times that they're a better algae eaters than Amano shrimp.

But yes, where is the proof? I read articles in magazines by 'experts' and we're expected to accept every word they say is true. I guess the German aquarists know more about this subject as they're really into Shrimps. So why don't you ask one of them and report back? Wirbellose is a good place. Gerd Voss is a nice guy, I've chatted to him (in English) in the past.

If you disagree with anything, then feel free to correct it. --Quatermass 22:02, 30 October 2008 (UTC)


Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so upset. If there were English websites saying RCS live for 10 years you would think I would have seen it by now. I've been reading mostly Petfish.net and Plantedtank.net for the past year, but have been on Petshrimp.com and some other sites in the past. I especially read a lot about RCS when I first got them, and no where did I find any maximum age more than 2 years.

Also, what is PFK? A print magazine?

I also want to point out that, if you have had RCS for 10 years, you might be an expert. However, you must not limit your "expertise" to your own experiences. Animals can act differently in different environments, and for different owners. When I give advice, I never claim I'm an "expert". I do make it clear that "this was my experience" and I have had this animal for n years in a row.

While saying shrimp have different personalities is going to far IMO, different fish of the same species have shown me they really do have personalities, or something resembling that.

As far as correcting the lifespan for RCS, I just wanted to know if you personally had proof of RCS living more than 2 years. I just had to get into an "editing war" where I change the life span to 2 years, then someone else changes it back to 10 years, and it goes back and forth like that. Bulrush 12:14, 31 October 2008 (UTC)


Yes PFK is a magazine. Quite a big web site too.

If you look at the History of the article you'll see I've done very little in the way of editing this page. So not me! After briefly looking back in time with this page I see it was originally at ~2 years and went to 4 years, these errors happen. The point is, it is now fixed.

Different personalities? I agree, that's taking it a bit far. --Quatermass 21:03, 31 October 2008 (UTC)


I would agree that 10 years is a bit of a stretch. --Brian 22:10, 31 October 2008 (UTC)


After talking with some other people on Petfish.net, they did claim that RCS ate algae. I think it's just a problem with my RCS, they don't eat any algae at all. Bulrush 15:31, 13 February 2009 (UTC)


When I was breeding them I found mostly the younger ones ate algae... they do deff prefer flake or pellet food if at all possible. --Brian 19:48, 13 February 2009 (UTC)


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