The short answer
A shrimp tank needs a cycled nano tank, a gentle filter, stable water and no copper. Shrimp like cherry shrimp are easy and rewarding, but they’re sensitive to sudden changes and to copper, so the priorities are a mature, stable environment and a filter that won’t suck them in.
The shrimp-tank checklist
- Tank — a small nano tank (around 20 litres) is ideal and easy to keep stable.
- Gentle filter — a sponge filter is perfect: safe for babies and great biological filtration. See filters.
- Cycled, stable water — shrimp need a fully cycled tank; they don’t tolerate ammonia or big swings.
- No copper — check fertilisers, medications and plumbing.
- Food and plants — a little sinking shrimp food plus plants and moss for grazing and cover.
- Test kit — to keep water parameters steady; browse water testing.
Why a mature, gentle setup
Shrimp graze constantly on the biofilm that develops in an established tank, so an older, planted tank feeds them almost for free. A sponge or pre-filtered filter protects tiny shrimplets from being drawn in, and steady water chemistry keeps moulting — their most vulnerable moment — safe. Rushing a brand-new tank is the usual mistake.
Getting started
Cycle the tank fully before adding shrimp, plant it well, and add livestock slowly. See how to cycle an aquarium and how to set up an aquarium. Our best shrimp tank guide covers suitable setups, and the cherry shrimp care sheet is the ideal beginner species.