Red Crystal Shrimp

[Cichlids1]

I'm getting ready to do another 55g planted and had these shrimp recommended as an Amano Shrimp substitute. Anyone have any experience with these guys? From what I've read online is they are fairly small, about 1 inch. Current plans call for a pair/trio of apistos - either aggies or cacatouides - a pair of Laetacara, and maybe a pair of bolivian rams. Residents will also include (probably) rummynose tetras and either cherry or rosey barbs, the ever present corys, a few otocinclus, and maybe an SAE or two. My biggest concern is with the cichlids. Even thought they are on the small size, I don't want them to be picking the shrimp apart limb by limb. I've kept the Amano with the above fish before without any problems, but the Amano are about twice the size of the reds (If the info I've read is correct). Thoughts, opinions, experiences?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[tjudy]

The person to ask is Frank Greco. I will post his contact information when I get home this evening. He produces a lot of different shrimp and knows a lot about them.

 

[Neil]

Cichlids1,
These are some really cool shrimp. I have some now and am thinking about offering some for sale, even though they are a little departure from my standard fair. But I will say that they were showcased in THF about 2 or 3 months back, from none-other than Oliver!
I have found them to be fine with smaller Dwarf Cichlids, but have not put them through too much exposure. They are exceptional little algae workers, but their real quality lies in their looks. Only shrimp that I have seen that come close are salt water shrimp!
If they were dropped into the tank with fully grown apistos they may fall prey to predation, but I think that they would be fine if added first and allowed to be a fixture in a tank that Cichlids were placed in later.
Neil