If you are looking for the best aquarium plants for shrimp then you are at the right place.
In this blog post, I’m going to show you the plants that you can use in your shrimp aquarium.
Table of Contents
Here’s the table showing the best aquarium plants for shrimp tanks
| Plant Name | Care level | Placement | Buy from Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java Moss | Very easy | Foreground | Click here |
| Subwassertang | Easy | Floating | NA |
| Pearl Weed | Easy | Carpet | Click here |
| Anubias | Easy | Midground, background | Click here |
| Christmas Moss | Easy | Floating, foreground | Click here |
| Water Lettuce | Moderate | Care Level | Click here |
| Hornwort | Easy | Background | Click here |
| Red Root Floater | Easy | Floating | Click here |
| Duckweed | Easy | Floating | Click here |
| Amazon frogbit | Easy | Floating | Click here |
| Water wisteria | Easy | Background or Carpet | Click here |
| Java fern | Easy | Midground, Background | Click here |
| Red tiger lotus | Easy | Midground, background | Click here |
| Cryptocoryne wendtii | Easy | Background | Click here |
| Corkscrew Vallisneria | Easy | Background | Click here |
| Italian Vallisneria | Easy | Background | Click here |
| Bucephalandra | Easy | Foreground | Click here |
| Dwarf Sagittaria | Easy | Foreground, Midground | Click here |
| Water Sprite | Easy | Midground, Background | Click here |
| Amazon sword | Easy | Background | Click here |
| Monte Carlo | Medium | Floating | Click here |
How to choose plants for a shrimp tank?
There are a few things that you should keep in mind while choosing live aquarium plants for your shrimp.
Water parameters
While choosing plants for your shrimp tank, you should choose live aquarium plants that require similar water parameters as the shrimp in your tank.
This way, both the live aquarium plants and the shrimp in the tank will thrive in the same tank.
Substrate requirements for the live plants
You should keep in mind the substrate that you already have in your shrimp tank when choosing live aquarium plants for the tank.
There are some plants that can do well in almost any substrate, like Amazon Sword, but there are some plants that need nutrient-rich, soil-based substrates, like Monte Carlo.
Overall, you should choose the live aquarium plants according to the substrate you already have in your shrimp tank.
Live aquarium plants maintenance
For the proper growth and development of the live plants and for the live plants to actually look good in your shrimp tank, you will need to dedicate some time to the maintenance of the live aquarium plants.
Now there are two types of plants you can keep in your shrimp tank:
- Fast growing plants
- Slow growing plants
Generally speaking, slow-growing plants require much less maintenance compared to fast growing plants.
Because if you keep some fast growing plants in your tank, you will also need to trim them more often, and you may also need to provide them with some additional fertilizer for them to actually grow fast.
So you should also consider the time for maintenance of the live aquarium plants you can dedicate while choosing live aquarium plants for your shrimp tank.
Tank size
While choosing live aquarium plants for your shrimp tank, you should also consider the tank size of your shrimp tank.
Basically, there are a lot of different types of plants you can keep in your shrimp tank, but some of them can grow pretty large. And if you have a smaller tank, then they are not an ideal choice to put in your shrimp tank.
So if you have a smaller tank, you should go for slow-growing plants that don’t grow very tall, for example, Bucephalandra.
On the other hand, if you have a large tank, then generally speaking, there are a lot of options available for you when it comes to live plants to keep in your shrimp tank.
The look of the tank you are going after
While choosing live plants for your tank, you should also think about the kind of look you are going for in your shrimp tank.
For example, if you are going after Jungle look then planting plants such as Amazon sword can be a great to get that Jungle look in your shrimp tank.
If you want a carpeting effect on the substrate of your shrimp tank, then you will obviously need to choose some carpeting plants, for example, Monte Carlo.
Besides, if you want some shady areas in your tank, you may need to put some floating aquarium plants in it to create some shady areas, for example, Amazon frogbit.
Best Aquarium Plants For Nano Shrimp Tank
1. Java Moss (My pick)
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Java moss |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Vesicularia dubyana |
| FAMILY | Hypnaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Very easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low to Bright |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 59-86°F |
| pH | 5.0 to 8.0 |
| HARDNESS | 60- 240 ppm |
| PLACEMENT | Foreground |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 4 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 gallon |
Java Moss is a very popular aquarium plant and it is commonly used in aquascaping.
It is a very good plant for a nano shrimp tank because it grows very dense that provides lots of hiding places for shrimps.
How much light does Java Moss require?
Java Moss can survive in almost any lighting condition.
You can keep it in low lighting conditions but then it will grow lankier.
On the other hand, when you keep it under strong lighting it will grow denser and compact which is ideal for shrimp.
Also, when you keep it under high light it promotes algae hair growth.
So your shrimp will get algae to eat.
Checkout our lighting recommendation
What’s the best place to keep Java Moss in a nano shrimp tank?
As mentioned earlier, Java Moss is very commonly used in aquascaping.
This is because you can keep it in a variety of different ways in your tank.
You can just let it float in your tank or you can also tie it to any ornament like driftwood or rock and then put it into the tank.
You can also use it as a carpet plant.
So, it really comes down to what aesthetics you are looking for.
Substrate requirements
Java Moss doesn’t have true roots.
Instead, it has rhizoids to attach itself to other things like rock, driftwood, etc.
So substrate is not necessary for keeping Java moss in your tank.
You can just let it float in the tank or tie it to any ornament in your tank like driftwood or rock.
You can also use it as a carpet plant.
Fertilization requirements
Java Moss can grow without any fertilizers.
This is one of the things that make it good for shrimp tanks because some fertilizers contain copper in high quantities which is harmful to shrimp.
Ideal water parameters
As mentioned earlier, Java Moss can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
It can tolerate temperatures as low as 59 degrees Fahrenheit to up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
Its pH tolerance range is between 5 to 8.
And it does well in soft water.
Where to buy Java moss
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.com here
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.co.uk here
6 Tips to Take Care of Live Plants in Aquarium (For Beginners)
2. Subwassertang
Photo by Rǫgn under CC BY-SA 4.0
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Subwassertang |
| COMMON NAMES | Süsswassertang, Süßwassertang, Round Pellia, False Round Pellia |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Süsswassertang |
| FAMILY | Lomariopsidaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low to moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Slow |
| TEMPERATURE | 68-73° F |
| pH | 6-8 |
| HARDNESS | 0 – 21°dKH |
| PLACEMENT | Floating |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 gallon |
Subwassertang is very easy to care for plant.
And it is very undemanding which makes it a good choice for beginners.
This plant grows dense like Java moss and its growth rate is slow which makes it ideal for nano shrimp tanks.
It provides a lot of hiding places for shrimp and baby shrimp.
It also creates a very good feeding ground for baby shrimp.
This plant also improves the overall water quality of the tank by removing harmful toxins and heavy metals from the water.
It also helps to oxygenate the tank water.
How much light does Subwassertang require?
Subwassertang doesn’t require very strong lighting.
It can do well in low to moderate lighting conditions.
How to keep Subwassertang in a nano shrimp tank?
You can just let it float in your aquarium and it will find a place for itself in the tank.
You can also attach it to any ornament like driftwood or rock and then put it in your aquarium.
Substrate requirements
Subwassertang doesn’t have true roots.
So, it doesn’t require any substrate to keep it in the aquarium tank.
You can just let it float in the tank or you can tie it to any ornament like driftwood or rock and then put it inside the tank.
Ideal water parameters
The ideal temperature for the proper growth of Subwassertang is from 68 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Its pH tolerance range is from 6 to 8.
And it does well in soft water.
Fertilization requirements
Subwassertang doesn’t require any fertilizers for its growth.
This makes it ideal for any shrimp tank because some fertilizers contain copper in excess quantity which is potentially harmful to your shrimp.
12 Benefits of Live Plants in an Aquarium
3. Pearl Weed
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Pearl weed |
| COMMON NAMES | MICRANTHEMUM MICRANTHEMOIDES |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Pearl Grass and Baby Tears |
| FAMILY | Scrophulariaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Slow |
| TEMPERATURE | 66° – 82° F |
| pH | 6.3 – 7.2 |
| HARDNESS | 4 – 18°N |
| PLACEMENT | Foreground, midground, background.,carpet |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 6 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 gallon |
Pearl weed is a relatively undemanding plant and it is very easy to care which makes it ideal for beginners.
This is a slow-growing plant and it provides lots of hiding places for shrimp which makes it ideal for nano shrimp tanks.
How much light does Pearl weed require?
Pearl weed does well in moderate lighting conditions.
How to keep Pearl weed in a nano shrimp tank?
Pearl weed is a short, stem plant. It is a very popular plant in aquascaping because you can keep it anywhere in the plant tank whether that is foreground, midground, or in the background of the tank.
You can also use it as a carpet plant.
Substrate requirements
Pearl weed gets its nutrients through its roots so you should keep it in a nutrient-rich substrate.
Ideal water parameters
The ideal temperature for the proper growth of Pearl weed is between 60 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit and its pH tolerance range is between 6.3 to 7.2.
Fertilization requirements
As mentioned earlier, for the optimum growth of Pearl weed you should keep it in a nutrient-rich substrate.
For denser growth, you can supplement it with additional CO2.
The supplementation of additional CO2 also increases its growth rate.
Where to buy Pearl weed
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.com here
4. Anubias
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Anubias |
| COMMON NAMES | |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Anubias |
| FAMILY | Araceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low-Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Slow |
| TEMPERATURE | 72-82°F |
| pH | 6.5 – 7.8 |
| HARDNESS | 60- 160 ppm |
| PLACEMENT | Mid-background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 11+ Inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 Gallons |
| PROPAGATION | Rhizome Division |
Anubias is one of the popular plants in the aquarium hobby.
This is a slow-growing plant and it provides a lot of cover to shrimps which makes it ideal for nano shrimp tanks.
Besides, it is a very hardy plant and it is very easy to care for which makes it a good choice for beginners.
How much light does Anubias require?
Anubias can grow in wide lighting conditions.
Though it can grow in a low lighting condition of 1.5-2 Watts per gallon, it will grow faster in higher lighting conditions.
But when you keep it under high lighting conditions, it can also cause algae growth on this plant.
But algae is not a problem in shrimp tanks as shrimps like to eat algae.
So ideally, you should provide moderate lighting to anubias of at least 2-3 watts per gallon.
What’s the best place to keep anubias in a nano shrimp tank?
Anubias is a short, stem plant that can grow up to 11 inches.
So, in a nano shrimp tank, you should keep it in the mid-ground or background of the tank.
Substrate requirements
Anubias doesn’t have real roots. Instead, it has rhizomes.
So you can use any substrate for this plant whether that is gravel, sand, or a nutrient-rich substrate.
You can also attach it to any ornament in the tank like driftwood or rock.
It does get some nutrients through its rhizomes so it can benefit if you keep it in a nutrient-rich substrate.
Fertilization requirements
Anubias can benefit from fertilizers so you should regularly supplement it with some fertilizers.
While choosing the fertilizers just make sure that the fertilizers contain copper in low quantity.
You can also supplement anubias with CO2 for faster growth.
Ideal water parameters
The ideal temperature for the proper growth of anubias is between 70 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Its pH tolerance range is between 6.5 to 7.8 and the hardness tolerance range is between 3-8 KH.
Where to buy online?
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.com here
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.co.uk here
5. Christmas Moss
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Christmas moss |
| COMMON NAMES | Christmas moss |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Vesicularia montagnei |
| FAMILY | Hypnaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate to high |
| GROWTH RATE | Moderate to high |
| TEMPERATURE | 68-82°F |
| pH | 5-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | 5-20 dH |
| PLACEMENT | Floating, foreground |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 4 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 gallon |
Christmas moss is another easy to care plant that can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
This is a very hardy plant which makes it ideal for beginners.
This plant is very popular in aquascaping because it can produce very beautiful results.
This plant grows very dense, similar to Java moss, which provides lots of hiding places to shrimps and baby shrimps.
Provided with the ideal environment, it can grow very fast so when you keep it in a nano tank, you should regularly trim it.
How much light does Christmas moss require?
You can keep Christmas moss under moderate to high lighting conditions.
When you keep it in high-lighting conditions it will grow faster than when you keep it in moderate-lighting conditions.
You should provide it with lighting of at least 3-4 watts per gallon.
How to keep Christmas moss in a nano shrimp tank?
In the natural habitat, Christmas moss is attached to the surface of the rock in a stream.
There are several ways you can keep Christmas moss in your nano tank.
You can just let it float in your tank.
Or you can attach it to any ornament in your tank like driftwood or rock.
You can also use it as a carpet plant.
Substrate requirements
Christmas moss doesn’t really have any true roots so it doesn’t really require any substrate to keep it in the tank.
You can just let it float in the tank or tie it to any ornament like driftwood or rock and then put it in the tank.
Ideal water parameters
The ideal temperature for the proper growth of Christmas moss is between 68 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit and its pH tolerance range is between 5 to 7.5.
Fertilization requirements
Christmas moss can grow without any fertilizers.
But for denser growth, you can supplement it with some liquid fertilizers, just make sure that it has copper in low quantity.
It will also benefit from additional supplementation of CO2.
Where to buy online?
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.com here
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.co.uk here
Best Floating Plants For Shrimp Tanks
6. Water Lettuce
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Water Lettuce |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Pistia |
| FAMILY | Araceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Moderate |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Moderate |
| TEMPERATURE | 70 to 80 °F |
| pH | 6.5-7.2 pH |
| HARDNESS | Soft to Moderately Hard |
| PLACEMENT | Water Surface |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 10 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Water lettuce is a popular floating plant in the aquarium hobby.
This plant can be challenging to grow in a home aquarium as it requires a lot of humidity to grow.
But if you provide it with ideal conditions it will grow very quickly and even take over your aquarium.
This plant is very good for a shrimp tank because it can provide a lot of hiding places for shrimps that help to reduce stress.
How much light does water lettuce require?
Ideally, you should provide moderate lighting to water lettuce.
You can use a full-spectrum T5 or T8 bulb for this plant.
Usually, it is kept in shade in the stores so when you get it for your home aquarium you should slowly introduce it in your well-lighted aquarium.
You can do so by reducing the intensity of the light in your aquarium if it has a feature to do so.
Or you should keep it under light for fewer hours say for 3-4 hours initially and then you should gradually increase it.
How to keep water lettuce in a shrimp tank?
Water lettuce is a floating aquarium plant so you should let it float on the surface of the water of your aquarium.
Substrate requirements
As water lettuce is a floating plant, you don’t need any substrate to keep it in your shrimp tank.
You should just let it float on the surface of the water of your tank.
Ideal water parameters
The ideal temperature for the proper growth of water lettuce is between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and its pH tolerance range is between 6.5 to 7.2.
It can tolerate soft to moderately hard water.
Fertilization requirements
Water lettuce doesn’t require any fertilizers for its growth.
It is a very good thing as you are going to keep it in a shrimp tank because some fertilizers contain copper in very high concentrations that can potentially harm your shrimp.
Where to buy online?
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.com here
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.co.uk here
7. Hornwort
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Hornwort |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Anthocerotophyta |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Medium |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 59-86°F |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | 5-15 dGH |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 10 foot |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 15 gallons |
Hornwort is a fast-growing stem plant that can grow as tall as 10 feet.
You can keep it as a floating plant in your shrimp tank aquarium.
It will provide a lot of hiding places for your shrimps.
This plant is very easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of water parameters which makes it ideal for beginners.
How much light does hornwort require?
When it comes to light for hornwort, the more light it gets the faster it grows.
Usually, lighting will not be a problem when you keep hornwort as a floating plant in your tank.
Ideally, you should provide it moderate lighting of at least 2 to 3 watts per gallon.
How to keep hornwort in a shrimp tank?
There are a couple of ways you can keep it in a shrimp tank.
You can either anchor it into a substrate or you can just let it float in your aquarium.
Either way, it will provide a lot of hiding places for your shrimps.
Substrate requirements
Hornwort doesn’t have true roots.
But you can use its leaves to anchor it to a substrate.
You can use any substrate for this plant, whether that is gravel or a nutrient-rich substrate.
You can even use a sand substrate for this plant.
Also, you can just let it float in your aquarium.
Ideal water parameters
As mentioned earlier, hornwort can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
It can tolerate temperatures as low as 59 degrees Fahrenheit to up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Its pH tolerance range is between 6-7.5 and its hardness tolerance range is between 5 to 15 dGH.
Fertilization requirements
Hornwort is equipped with allelopathic abilities which basically allows it to release certain chemicals that block the growth of other plants so that it can use all the available nutrients for itself.
So it actually doesn’t require fertilizers for itself but if you are keeping other plants with hornwort then you should add some fertilizers in your tank so that other plants can also get nutrients for their growth.
Where to buy online?
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.com here
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.co.uk here
Plants Help to Lower Ammonia in an Aquarium
8. Red Root Floater
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Red Root Floater |
| COMMON NAMES | Red Root Floater |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Phyllanthus fluitans |
| FAMILY | Phyllanthaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low to High |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 70° – 82° F |
| pH | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| PLACEMENT | Floating |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Red root floater is a fast-growing floating plant. It is one of the best red aquarium plants.
It is a very hardy plant which makes it a good choice for beginners.
This plant provides a lot of hiding places for shrimp so it is a very good floating plant for shrimp tanks.
This plant does well in open-top tanks because it cannot tolerate too much humidity or moisture.
Too much humidity or moisture can rot this plant.
Also, you should avoid keeping this plant in your tank if it has a high level of surface
agitation.
How much light does a Red root floater require?
Red root floater can do well in almost any lighting condition whether that is low or high.
But to gets to get its red coloration on leaves, you should keep it under highlighting conditions.
How to keep Red root floater in a shrimp tank?
Red root floater is a floating plant so you should just let it float on the surface of the tank.
Ideally, you should keep it in an open-top aquarium because it cannot tolerate too much humidity or moisture.
Fertilization requirements
Red root floater can do well without any fertilizers.
It can also do well without any supplementation of CO2.
But if you provide it with CO2 supplementation then it will benefit from it and it will show its red coloration on its leaves.
Ideal water parameters
The ideal temperature for the proper growth of Red root floater is between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and its pH tolerance range is between 6.5 to 7.5.
Where to buy online
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.com here
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.co.uk here
Plants help to Increase Oxygen in an Aquarium
9. Duckweed
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Duckweed |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Lemnoideae |
| FAMILY | Araceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low to high |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 42.8 to 91.4° F |
| pH | 5.0 to 9.0 |
| WATER HARDNESS | 17 to 180 ppm |
| PLACEMENT | Floating |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | Each ‘pod’ is 0.8 inches long |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 2 gallons |
Duckweed is a fast-growing floating plant.
This plant is very hardy and undemanding which makes it ideal for beginners.
Aquarists have mixed opinions about this plant.
Some consider it a rampant pest.
And for others, it is a very good plant to improve water quality.
The thing is, this plant can grow very fast and it can take over your tank very quickly.
That can result in low oxygen levels and low light in the aquarium.
So, if you are going to keep it in the tank, you should keep an eye on its growth and regularly trim it.
If kept in control, this plant can act as a very good water purifier for your shrimp aquarium.
How much light does duckweed require?
Do duckweed is a very undemanding floating plant when it comes to water parameters but it does require high lighting for its proper and fast growth.
How to keep duckweed in a shrimp tank?
Duckweed is a floating plant so you should just let it float on the surface of the water of your tank.
Ideal water parameters
As mentioned earlier, duckweed can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
It can tolerate temperatures as low as 42 degrees Fahrenheit to up to 91 degrees Fahrenheit.
Its pH tolerance range is between 5 to 9.
Substrate requirement
As duckweed is a floating plant it doesn’t require a substrate to keep it in the tank.
You should just let it float on the surface of the water of your aquarium.
Fertilization requirements
Duckweed can do well without any fertilizers but if you supplement it with some liquid fertilizer it can benefit from it.
Where to buy online
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.com here
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon.co.uk here
Plants Help to Lower Temperature in an Aquarium
10. Amazon frogbit
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Amazon Frogbit |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Limnobium laevigatum |
| FAMILY | Hydrocharitaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 64 to 84 °F |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 pH |
| HARDNESS | 200 ppm-240 ppm |
| PLACEMENT | Surface |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 20 Inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Amazon frogbit is an easy-to-care floating aquarium plant that you can put in your shrimp tank.
This plant also produces small white flowers on the surface of your aquarium water.
Light requirements for Amazon frogbit
Amazon frogbit can do well in any lighting condition.
Usually, light will not be an issue for this plant because, as it is a floating plant, it will be close to light.
And as it is undemanding, it will do just fine as long as it gets some light.
However, if you are looking for faster growth, then you should provide it with moderate to high lighting condition.
Best place to put Amazon frogbit in a shrimp tank
Amazon frogbit is a floating plant, so you should put it on the surface of your shrimp tank.
Fertilization requirements for Amazon frogbit
For optimum growth, you should supplement this plant with some additional liquid fertilizers.
Expert tip: You should always make sure to keep the upper leaves of Amazon frogbit dry. If water remains on the upper surface of the leaves of Amazon frogbit, it will start to rot. So while putting Amazon frogbit in your shrimp tank, you should make sure not to keep it near Hang-on-the-back filter so that the water will not splash on its leaves. Besides, you will need to be a little more careful while doing water changes.
Best aquarium plants for Cherry shrimp
In this section, I’m going to show you and give detailed information about the best aquarium plants for cherry shrimp.
11. Water wisteria
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Water wisteria |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Hygrophila difformis |
| FAMILY | Acanthaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate to High |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 70-82°F |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | 2-8 KH |
| PLACEMENT | Background or Carpet |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 20 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallons |
Water wisteria is a very hardy and undemanding plant which makes it ideal for beginners.
This plant can tolerate a wide range of water parameters, making it suitable for all types of freshwater aquarium shrimp tanks.
Besides, this plant is also very popular, so you can easily find it in most aquarium shops.
Also, you don’t have to get a lot of stems of this plant to plant in your tank because this plant can propagate very fast and easily, so you can start with fewer stems.
Light requirements for water wisteria
Water wisteria is very undemanding when it comes to light.
It doesn’t require any specific lighting conditions to do well in a tank.
However, it does need some light for photosynthesis, so any aquarium light can work, but just make sure that it is getting some light.
And ideally, you should provide it with 2 to 3 watts of light per gallon of your aquarium.
Where to put Water wisteria in a shrimp tank
Water wisteria is a very versatile plant.
You can either plant it in the substrate of your aquarium, or you can spread it across the substrate of your aquarium and keep it as a carpeting plant.
Substrate requirements for Water wisteria
Water wisteria is not very demanding when it comes to nutrients, so you don’t have to plant it in a soil-based nutrient-rich substrate for the plant to do well in your shrimp tank.
In nature, this plant is found in a sand substrate, so you should mimic its natural environment and put it in a sand substrate. However, you can also put it in a fine gravel substrate as well.
Fertilization requirements for Water wisteria
As mentioned earlier, water wisteria is not particularly demanding when it comes to nutrients, so it can do just fine without any additional fertilization.
However, to speed up the growth, you may add some fertilizer to your shrimp tank.
Where to buy online
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon here
12. Java fern
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Java Fern |
| COMMON NAMES | Java Fern |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Microsorum pteropus |
| FAMILY | Polypodiaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low to Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Low to Moderate |
| TEMPERATURE | 68-82oF |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | 60-160 ppm |
| PLACEMENT | Mid to Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 13.5 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 Gallons |
Java fern is one of the most popular plants in the aquarium hobby.
This plant is very adaptable and can do well in almost any environment, which makes it an ideal choice for beginners.
Besides, as this plant doesn’t require any specific water parameters to do well, you can put it in any shrimp tank.
Light requirement for Java fern
Java fern has very minimal light requirements.
Ideally, you should provide it with 1.5 to 2 watts of light per gallon of your aquarium.
One thing you should keep in mind when it comes to lighting for Java fern is that you should not provide it with very strong light because under strong light, its leaves will start to turn brown.
So if this happens to you, then you should reduce the light in your aquarium for a few days until the plant recovers.
What’s the best place to put Java fern in shrimp tank
Java fern can grow pretty tall, and its leaves can spread fairly wide.
So depending on the size of your aquarium, you should put it in the middle ground or background of your shrimp tank.
Substrate requirements for Java fern
Java fern doesn’t have real roots, so it doesn’t actually draw nutrients from the substrate, which is why it doesn’t have any substrate requirements.
So you can even keep this plant floating in your shrimp tank, but eventually, it will get attached to something in it.
You can also plant it in the substrate of your shrimp tank if you like.
Overall, Java fern doesn’t have any specific substrate requirements, so you can plant it in your shrimp tank no matter what substrate it has.
Fertilization requirements for Java fern
Java fern is a very undemanding plant when it comes to nutrients. However, if you want to encourage faster growth, you can supplement it with some liquid fertilizers.
Where to buy online
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon here
13. Red tiger lotus
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Red Tiger Lotus |
| COMMON NAMES | Red Tiger Lotus |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Nymphaea zenkeri |
| FAMILY | Nymphaeaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate to high |
| GROWTH RATE | Moderate |
| TEMPERATURE | 71.5-82.5 °F |
| pH | 5-8 |
| HARDNESS | 5-11 °d |
| PLACEMENT | Mid-ground, background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 31 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Red tiger lotus is a very unique and interesting plant to keep in your shrimp tank.
This plan actually flowers when you provide it with an ideal environment.
Besides, this plant is not very difficult to grow in a shrimp tank.
How much light does Red tiger Lotus needs
Red tiger lotus is a very undemanding plant when it comes to light.
It will do well in almost any lighting condition as far as it is getting some light.
However, if you notice that the plant is growing very slowly, you could increase the lighting for faster growth.
What’s the best place to put red tiger lotus in a shrimp tank
Red tiger lotus can grow pretty tall, so depending on the size of your shrimp tank, you should put it in the middle or background of the tank.
Substrate requirements for red tiger lotus
For healthy and faster growth ideally, you should plant this plant in a nutrient rich substrate.
Fertilization requirements for red tiger lotus
Red tiger Lotus can do well without any additional fertilization. However, if you want vibrant, faster growth from this plant, then ideally you should supplement it with some additional fertilization as well as CO2.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
Best live aquarium plants for neocaridina shrimp
In this section, I’m going to show and give detailed information about the best live aquarium plants that are suitable for neocaridina shrimp tanks.
14. Cryptocoryne wendtii
Check more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Cryptocoryne Wendtii |
| COMMON NAMES | Wendt’s Cryptocoryne, water trumpet |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Cryptocoryne Wendtii |
| FAMILY | Araceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low |
| GROWTH RATE | Medium |
| TEMPERATURE | 72-82° F |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| HARDNESS | KH 3-8 |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 6 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 gallon |
Cryptocoryne wendtii is a very popular plant in the aquarium hobby.
This plant is very versatile because there are a lot of variations of this plant and it comes in different colors and sizes.
For shrimp tanks, the green variety of Cryptocoryne wendtii is suitable because it doesn’t grow pretty large, and as usually shrimp tanks are small, it makes it a good choice for shrimp tanks.
Besides, the green variety of Cryptocoryne wendtii is also very beginner friendly.
How much light does Cryptocoryne wendtii need
Cryptocoryne wendtii does well in any lighting condition.
So you can keep it in your shrimp tank whether it already has low light or medium or high lighting conditions.
What’s the best place to put Cryptocoryne wendtii in your shrimp tank
As mentioned earlier, the green variety of Cryptocoryne wendtii doesn’t grow pretty large which makes it an ideal choice for medium to small aquariums.
So in medium to small aquariums, you can keep this plant in the middle or background of the tank.
However, if you want to put this plant in a large tank, you can also put it in the foreground of the tank.
Substrate requirements for Cryptocoryne wendtii
You can plant Cryptocoryne wendtii no matter the substrate you already have in your shrimp tank.
Fertilization requirements for Cryptocoryne wendtii
Cryptocoryne wendtii can do just fine without any additional fertilizers.
However, it will benefit from some fertilizers, so if you like, you can provide it with some additional fertilizers.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
15. Corkscrew Vallisneria
Check more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Corkscrew Vallisneria |
| COMMON NAMES | Corkscrew Val |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Vallisneria torta |
| FAMILY | Tapegrass |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate to High |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 68-82.5 °F |
| pH | 5-8 |
| HARDNESS | Hard water |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 20 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 gallon |
Corkscrew vallisneria is a very interesting seagrass-type plant.
This plant is very undemanding which makes it an ideal choice for beginners
Light requirements for Corkscrew vallisneria
Corkscrew vallisneria needs medium to strong lighting conditions to do well.
In high lighting environment, this plant will grow pretty fast.
What’s the best place to put Corkscrew vallisneria in a shrimp tank
As Corkscrew vallisneria is a tall growing plant, in smaller aquariums like shrimp tanks, you should put it in the mid-ground or background of the tank.
Substrate requirements for Corkscrew vallisneria
Corkscrew vallisneria is very undemanding when it comes to the substrate, so you can plant it no matter the substrate you already have in your shrimp tank.
That being said, if you plant this plant in a nutrient-rich substrate, it will definitely benefit from it and grow faster and better.
Fertilization requirements for Corkscrew vallisneria
For healthy and lush growth, you should supplement this plant with some root tabs.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
16. Italian Vallisneria
Check more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Italian Vallisneria |
| COMMON NAMES | Italian Vallisneria |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Vallisneria spiralis |
| FAMILY | Hydrocharitaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Moderate to Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 72-80℉ |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | 4 – 18°N |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 11.81 – 21.65 inch |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Italian Vallisneria is another vallisneria species you can keep in your shrimp tank.
The best thing about Italian Vallisneria is that it is very hardy and requires minimal care, which makes it an ideal choice for beginners.
Besides, this plant is also very cheap.
Light requirements for Italian Vallisneria
Italian Vallisneria is not very demanding when it comes to light.
For proper growth and development, you should put it in moderate lighting conditions.
Under high lighting conditions, it will grow much faster.
Best place to put Italian Vallisneria in a shrimp tank
Italian Vallisneria is a tall growing plant so you should keep it in the mid-ground or background of your shrimp tank.
Substrate requirements for Italian Vallisneria
Italian Vallisneria doesn’t have any specific requirements so you can plant it in your shrimp tank no matter the substrate it has.
Fertilization requirements for Italian Vallisneria
As mentioned in the beginning, Italian Vallisneria is a very undemanding plant, so it doesn’t require any additional fertilization.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
Best live aquarium plants for ghost shrimp
In this section, I’m going to show and give detailed information about the best live aquarium plants for ghost shrimp.
17. Bucephalandra
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Bucephalandra |
| COMMON NAMES | Buce |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Bucephalandra |
| FAMILY | Araceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low |
| GROWTH RATE | Slow |
| TEMPERATURE | 71-82.5 °F |
| pH | 6-7.5 |
| PLACEMENT | Foreground |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 4 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Bucephalandra is a short, slow-growing plant, which makes it an ideal choice for small shrimp tanks.
This plant can tolerate a fairly wide range of water parameters, and it is also very easy to maintain, so you can keep it in your shrimp tank no matter the species of shrimp it contain.
Light requirements for Bucephalandra
Bucephalandra is not very demanding when it comes to light.
This plant can tolerate any lighting environment.
So how much light to provide this plant depends on what you want to do with it.
If you just want the plant to survive and grow slowly in the shrimp tank, then in that case, providing a low-light environment is sufficient for the plant.
However, if you are looking for faster growth with lush green coloration, then in that case you will need to provide it with moderate to highlighting conditions.
Best place to keep Bucephalandra in a shrimp tank
Bucephalandra is a short plant so you should put it in the fore-ground of your aquarium.
Substrate requirements for Bucephalandra
The surprising thing about this plant is that it doesn’t actually do well in a soil-based substrate; instead, it needs some sort of porous substrate to anchor to.
So you should ideally plant it between porous rocks, or you can also plant it in large gravel substrate.
Fertilization requirements for Bucephalandra
This plant can do well without any additional fertilizers.
However, it will definitely benefit if you can provide it with some additional nutrients through liquid fertilizers.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
18. Dwarf Sagittaria
Check the latest price of this plant at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Dwarf Sagittaria |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Sagittaria subulata |
| FAMILY | Alismataceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 68-82°F |
| pH | 6-8 |
| HARDNESS | 3-12 |
| PLACEMENT | Mid-foreground |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 12 Inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Dwarf Sagittaria is another hardy plant that you can put in your shrimp tank.
This plant can tolerate a wide range of water parameters, and it is very hardy, so you can plant this plant in your shrimp tank no matter what species of shrimp you have in the tank.
Besides, as this plant is very hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water parameters, it is a very good plant for beginners.
Lighting requirements for Dwarf Sagittaria
Dwarf Sagittaria can do well in any lighting condition.
If you want faster growth, then we should provide it with a high-lighting condition.
When it comes to Dwarf Sagittaria, the distance from the light is crucial.
If you want the plant to grow faster, this distance should be as short as possible.
Best place to plant Dwarf Sagittaria in a shrimp tank
Dwarf Sagittaria is a short plant so you should put it in the foreground or mid-ground of your tank.
You can also use it as a carpet plant.
Substrate requirements for Dwarf Sagittaria
Dwarf Sagittaria will grow in any substrate.
If you are using this plant as a carpet plant and want faster, compact, and lush growth, then you should plant it in a soil-based substrate that is rich in iron and CO2.
Fertilization requirements for Dwarf Sagittaria
Dwarf Sagittaria can do well without any additional fertilizers.
However, if you want faster, more compact, and lush green growth from this plant, then you should supplement it with some additional fertilizers in the form of root tabs.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
Best live aquarium plants for breeding shrimp
In this section, I’m going to show and give detailed information about the best live aquarium plants for breeding shrimp.
19. Water Sprite
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Water Sprite |
| COMMON NAMES | Water Fern, Indian Fern |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Ceratopteris thalictroides |
| FAMILY | Pteridaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Medium to high |
| GROWTH RATE | Low to Moderate |
| TEMPERATURE | 68-82°F |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | KH 3-8 |
| PLACEMENT | Mid to Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 13.5 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 Gallons |
Water Sprite is one of the most common plants in the aquarium hobby.
This plant grows tall, and it wiil provide a lot of hiding places for the shrimp in your tank.
Light requirements for water Sprite
For optimum growth of water sprite, you should put it under high lighting conditions.
Best place to put Water Sprite in a shrimp tank
As Water Sprite is a tall growing plant, you should put it in the mid-ground or background of your shrimp tank.
Substrate requirements for Water Sprite
Water sprite can do well in any substrate.
However, if you want it will do better then you should plant it in a nutrient-rich substrate and the substrate should be at least 2 to 3 inches thick.
Fertilization requirements for Water Sprite
Water Sprite can do well without any additional fertilizers.
However, it will definitely benefit from some additional fertilization. And you can supplement it with liquid fertilizers as well as root tabs.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
20. Amazon sword
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Amazon sword |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Echinodorus grisebachii |
| FAMILY | Alismataceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 60.8-82.4°F |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 pH |
| HARDNESS | 8-15°dH |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 16 Inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 Gallons |
Amazon sword is one of the most popular aquarium plants.
This plant is very hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water parameters, which makes it ideal for tropical aquariums as well as coldwater aquariums.
This plant is a very good choice for you if you want to create a jungle-like effect in your shrimp tank.
Light requirements for Amazon sword
Amazon sword is not very demanding when it comes to light. However, it does need some light for at least 11 to 12 hours every day for it to do well.
Best place to put Amazon sword in a tank
Amazon sword is a tall growing plant, and more importantly, the leaves of this plant can grow pretty large from all sides. That’s why you should put this plant in the middle of your shrimp tank.
Substrate requirements for Amazon sword
You can plant Amazon sword in any substrate.
However, it will definitely benefit if you plant it in a nutrient-rich substrate.
Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to the substrate for Amazon Sword is that the substrate should be at least 2.5 inches thick.
Fertilization requirements for Amazon sword
Amazon sword can do well without any additional fertilizers.
However, it will definitely benefit if you provide it with some additional nutrients through root tabs or liquid fertilizers.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
Expert tip: Because Amazon sword is prone to algae growth, you must strictly adhere to the light regimen for the plant and avoid leaving the lights on for extended periods of time. If you notice any algae on the plant, you should reduce the amount of time you keep the aquarium lights on.
Best carpet plant for shrimp tank
In this section, I’m going to show and give detailed information about the best carpeyting plant for your shrimp tank.
21. Monte Carlo
See more images at Amazon here
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Monte Carlo |
| COMMON NAMES | Bacopita, New Large Pearl Grass, Tweedie’s pearlweed, Montecarlo pearlweed |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Micranthemum Tweediei |
| FAMILY | Linderniaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Medium |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Medium to high |
| GROWTH RATE | Medium |
| TEMPERATURE | 68°-77° F |
| pH | 5.5 – 7.5 |
| HARDNESS | 2 to 15 GH |
| PLACEMENT | Foreground to mid-ground |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 1-2.25 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 gallons |
| PROPAGATION | Splitting, cutting off daughter plants |
Monte Carlo is a newcomer to the aquarium hobby.
But this plant has become very popular recently because it is one of the best carpeting plants you can plant in your tank.
Light requirements for Monte Carlo
For optimum growth, you should provide a medium to high-lighting environment to Monte Carlo.
Best place to put Monte Carlo in a shrimp tank
As I said earlier, Monte Carlo has become very popular because this plant creates a very good carpeting effect on the substrate of a tank. So you should use it as a carpet plant in your shrimp tank.
Substrate requirements for Monte Carlo
If you want to use Monte Carlo as a carpet plant then, in that case, for optimum growth, you will need to provide it with a soil-based, nutrient-rich substrate.
Fertilization requirements for Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo does need some additional fertilizers for it to grow properly.
So you should supplement this plant with some liquid fertilizers as well as root tabs.
It will also benefit from CO2 injection.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
How to choose plants for a shrimp tank?
There are a few things that you should keep in mind while choosing live aquarium plants for your shrimp.
Water parameters
While choosing plants for your shrimp tank, you should choose live aquarium plants that require similar water parameters as the shrimp in your tank.
This way, both the live aquarium plants and the shrimp in the tank will thrive in the same tank.
Substrate requirements for the live plants
You should keep in mind the substrate that you already have in your shrimp tank when choosing live aquarium plants for the tank.
There are some plants that can do well in almost any substrate, like Amazon Sword, but there are some plants that need nutrient-rich, soil-based substrates, like Monte Carlo.
Overall, you should choose the live aquarium plants according to the substrate you already have in your shrimp tank.
Live aquarium plants maintenance
For the proper growth and development of the live plants and for the live plants to actually look good in your shrimp tank, you will need to dedicate some time to the maintenance of the live aquarium plants.
Now there are two types of plants you can keep in your shrimp tank:
- Fast growing plants
- Slow growing plants
Generally speaking, slow-growing plants require much less maintenance compared to fast growing plants.
Because if you keep some fast growing plants in your tank, you will also need to trim them more often, and you may also need to provide them with some additional fertilizer for them to actually grow fast.
So you should also consider the time for maintenance of the live aquarium plants you can dedicate while choosing live aquarium plants for your shrimp tank.
Tank size
While choosing live aquarium plants for your shrimp tank, you should also consider the tank size of your shrimp tank.
Basically, there are a lot of different types of plants you can keep in your shrimp tank, but some of them can grow pretty large. And if you have a smaller tank, then they are not an ideal choice to put in your shrimp tank.
So if you have a smaller tank, you should go for slow-growing plants that don’t grow very tall, for example, Bucephalandra.
On the other hand, if you have a large tank, then generally speaking, there are a lot of options available for you when it comes to live plants to keep in your shrimp tank.
The look of the tank you are going after
While choosing live plants for your tank, you should also think about the kind of look you are going for in your shrimp tank.
For example, if you are going after Jungle look then planting plants such as Amazon sword can be a great to get that Jungle look in your shrimp tank.
If you want a carpeting effect on the substrate of your shrimp tank, then you will obviously need to choose some carpeting plants, for example, Monte Carlo.
Besides, if you want some shady areas in your tank, you may need to put some floating aquarium plants in it to create some shady areas, for example, Amazon frogbit.
Quick care tips for keeping live aquarium plants
Now I will share with you a few quick tips for taking care of live aquarium plants in your shrimp tank.
Maintain the ideal water parameters
For the plants to do well in your shrimp tank, you will need to provide them with the ideal water conditions they need to thrive.
So, you should research the live aquarium plants you are keeping in the shrimp tank and find out the ideal water parameters they need. And provide them with such water conditions in your shrimp tank.
Provide optimum lighting condition
Each plant has specific lighting requirements for their proper growth and development.
So you should research the lighting requirements for the plants you want to keep or are keeping in your shrimp tank and provide them with the ideal lighting conditions.
Provide additional fertilizers
There are some plants that can do well without any additional fertilizers. On the other hand, there are some other delicate plants that need more specific nutrients for them to actually do well in a tank.
So you should research the nutrients that the plants you are keeping or want to keep in your shrimp tank need and provide them the nutrients through liquid fertilizers or root tabs.
I have actually written a detailed article covering six tips to take care of live aquarium plants in detail.
Are there any plants that are not suitable for shrimp?
There is a lot of debate on the topic of whether some plants are toxic to shrimp, like anubias. However, there are a lot of people who are keeping anubias in their shrimp, and their shrimps are doing just fine. And there is no scientific evidence that any aquarium plants are toxic to keep in a shrimp tank.
FAQ
Do shrimp need plants?
It is not mandatory to have live aquarium plants in a shrimp tank.
However, there are a lot of benefits to keeping live aquarium plants in a shrimp tank.
For example, live aquarium plants help maintain better water quality. Live plants also provide food for the shrimp in the form of biofilm. They also provide good hiding places for shrimp.
I have written a detailed article on the topic, which you can check out here.
What plants do freshwater shrimp eat?
Freshwater shrimp will eat any live or dead aquarium plant.
However, their favorite plant is moss.
That’s why, ideally, you should keep some sort of moss plant, whether that is Java moss or Christmas moss, in your shrimp tank.
Can fake plants be used in shrimp tanks?
You can put fake plants in your shrimp tank. While these plants will not provide all the benefits that live plants can provide, they will still provide some hiding places to your shrimp.
What is the best plant substrate for shrimp?
For caridina shrimp, you should use active substrate because it helps buffer pH swings.
On the other hand, if you’re keeping neocaridina or cherry shrimps in your tank, they can do well in any substrate, whether that is sand or gravel and they don’t necessarily need active substrate.
Do shrimp like live plants?
There are a lot of benefits to keeping live aquarium plants in a shrimp tank. Live aquarium plants provide food for your shrimp in the form of biofilm and algae.
Besides, live aquarium plants also provide hiding places for your shrimp.
They also help to maintain good water quality in your shrimp tank.
So overall, shrimp will definitely appreciate some live plants in their tank.
Do shrimp like floating plants?
There are many benefits to keeping floating aquarium plants in shrimp tanks.
Floating plants are great to remove nitrates from your shrimp tank, and as high levels of nitrates can be deadly for your shrimp, floating plants are excellent to keep in a shrimp tank.
Floating plants also provide additional surface area for the biofilm to grow, and as biofilm makes up the majority of shrimp diets, shrimp will definitely appreciate some live floating aquarium plants in their tank.
Floating aquarium plants also provide great hiding places for your shrimps.
Considering all these benefits, your shrimp will definitely appreciate some floating aquarium plants in their tank.
Are moss balls good for shrimp?
Moss balls provide a great surface area for the biofilm to grow. And as biofilm consists the majority of shrimp’s diet, they love to graze on moss balls. That’s why moss balls are a great addition to your shrimp tank.
Do shrimp need a filter in a planted tank?
The short answer is yes, shrimp do need a filter in a planted tank.
If you are keeping very few shrimp in a very heavily planted tank, you may be able to keep the shrimp alive without a filter.
However, there are lot of benefits of keeping an aquarium filter in a planted shrimp tank. For example, it provides a great place for beneficial bacteria to form colonies.
And filter also removes physical impurities from your shrimp tank, giving it a very clean and clear look.
Besides, filters reduces the frequency of water changes in your shrimp tank.
Considering all these benefits, you should definitely have an aquarium filter in your shrimp tank.
Can you have too many plants in a shrimp tank?
In general, you cannot have too many live aquarium plants in your shrimp tank.
As long as there is sufficient space for the shrimp to swim around and move around in the tank, you don’t need to worry about having too many live aquarium plants in your shrimp tank.
How often do you feed shrimp in a planted tank?
How often you should feed your shrimp in your planted tank really depends on the age of the shrimp tank and the condition of the tank.
If you have an old tank with lots of plants, it will most likely have a lot of biofilm and algae for the shrimp to eat.
So in this case, you may need to feed your shrimps every other day or after every 2 to 3 days.
On the other hand, if your planted tank is fairly new then it will most likely not have sufficient biofilm and algae for the shrimp to eat. So, in that case, you will need to feed the shrimps on a daily basis.
Do shrimp like dwarf hairgrass?
Dwarf hairgrass is a very good carpeting plant commonly used for aquacaping.
This plant will create a dense carpet effect on the substrate of your shrimp tank which will provide a lot of surface for the biofilm to grow on and for the shrimp to eat.
So overall, shrimp will definitely like dwarf hairgrass in their tank.
Do shrimp like duckweed?
Duckweed is a very fast growing plant, so it definitely helps to absorb nitrates from your shrimp tank. Besides, it will also provide a lot of surfaces for the biofilm to grow on, which shrimp can munch on. So the shrimp will like duckweed in their tank.
That being said, duckweed can grow pretty fast and the growth can be uncontrollable.
So you will need to consider this if you want to keep duckweed in your shrimp tank. Specifically, you should avoid keeping duckweed if you have a very small shrimp tank.
Do shrimp need moss to breed?
If you are trying to breed shrimp, then moss will definitely help. Moss will help to remove nitrates from your shrimp tank which will help to create a stress-free environment in your shrimp tank. Besides, moss also provides a lot of surfaces for the biofilm to grow, and shrimps like to eat biofilm from moss balls.
Do shrimp like water lettuce?
Water lettuce is a very good floating aquarium plant to put in your shrimp tank because it will provide a lot of hiding places for your shrimp. Besides, it will also absorb nitrates from your shrimp tank and shrimp will love to eat algae and biofilm of water lettuce.
Can shrimp live with pothos?
Shrimps can live with a photos plant in their tank. Pothos plant will not harm your shrimp in any way. In fact, it will actually remove nitrates from your shrimp tank which will help to maintain a stress-free environment in your shrimp tank.
Do shrimp like guppy grass?
Guppy grass can be a very good addition to your shrimp, as it provides a lot of hiding places for them. Besides, it also provides a lot of surfaces for the biofilm to grow, which shrimp like to eat.
Is Hornwort good for shrimp?
Hornwort can create a lot of hiding places in your shrimp tank and it will also provide a lot of surfaces for the biofilm to grow on which shrimps like to eat. So Hornwort can be a great addition to your shrimp tank.
Is flourish iron safe for shrimp?
Yes, it is safe to use in a shrimp tank.
Do shrimp like Christmas moss?
Shrimps love Christmas moss because it provides a lot of surface area for the algae and biofilm to grow on and shrimps love to munch on.
20 Tips to Maintain a Healthy Aquarium
Conclusion
So, these are the best aquarium plants for a shrimp tank.
I hope you found this article helpful.
If you do, please share it.
If you have any doubts, let me know in the comment section below I will be happy to help you.
Also, let me know if you have any suggestions in the comments section below.
Happy fishkeeping!
