what sort of tank should I breed them in? a 10 gallon with java moss sound
good?

Yes, that should be fine. Though of course, the bigger the better. The bigger
the tank, the more ghost shrimp you can raise.

They do need hiding places, for when they molt. Caves, driftwood, etc. A few
pieces of slate propped up on one end, or even a saucer, upside down and
propped up on one end. If you have a lot of java moss or other plants, that
will probably be enough. If you can set up a planted tank for them, that would
be ideal (but not necessary). They'll also be fine with any tankmates that
they can't eat, or that can't eat them.

what sort of lighting would I need to put over it then? what sort of
filtration? what sort of temp?

They aren't picky. I've raised them in planted and unplanted tanks, with the
whole range of light that goes with that. More filtration is better. They
don't mind current. They'd probably even be okay without a heater, since
they're North American shrimp. (Though I have mine in your typical tropical
community tank.)

You do want to make sure that, whatever filter you have, the shrimp can't get
sucked into it. I have a foam prefilter over the intake of mine.

If the babies are so small wouldn't I vacuum
them out when I do a water change?

You do have to be careful. The babies, once they are free-swimming, are mostly
likely to be in the java moss or detritus on the bottom of the tank. Don't
vaccuum that.

What should I feed them..

Anything. They will be fine on plain old flake. They also eat blackworms,
algae, peas, etc. They especially like Wardley Shrimp Pellets. (Cannibals!)
Basically, a ghost shrimp will eat anything it can catch or scavenge. No
special food is needed for the babies. They eat the same thing as the parents.

and last of
all the only store here that I know of that sells ghost shrimp sells ones
that after awhile get green little sacs under their abdomens...I assume
those are eggs? Does this mean they are freshwater?

Yes, those are eggs. It probably does mean they are freshwater.

Once the eggs hatch, they will be clear, not green. If you look really
closely, you'll see the tiny baby shrimp. The mother will continue to carry
the babies under her tail for quite a while after that. Eventually, she'll
drop them, and you may see the babies swimming around the tank, looking just
like their mom only much, much smaller. Total gestation is about four weeks
(probably faster with higher temperature).

Shrimp in general are extremely sensitive to ammonia and nitrite, much more so
than fish. So be sure the tank is cycled before you put the shrimp in.


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/