kyle
01-29-2007, 04:28 AM
There is a new type of freshwater shrimp that is invading the Great Lakes. Its called the Caspian "bloodey red shrimp". It grows to approx 1/2 an inch in length and is part of the Mysid Family similar to the mysis shrimp used as fish food. They live roughly 9 months and achieve adult stage within 1 month and carry 60 babies per clutch. It has a very nice red pattern to it. It is believed to have hitched a ride from the ballasts of ships in Europe that travelled to the Great Lakes and when the ships emptied the water the shrimps exited as well similar to the zebra mussle. The Caspian "bloodey red shrimp" was first observed in Lake Michigan about 1 year ago and more recently in Lake Ontario. Scientists believe that more then one generation of the shrimp have survived and expanded in our Lakes and will be a strong competitor in the food chain especially with young fish as they eat similar foods. They swim in schools and live close to the shore.
The Caspian red shrimp doesn't have as much fat content as the mysis found in glacial Lakes. The Mysis currently sold as fish foods needs the fat because they live deeper in the water during the day and have to swim to the surface at night to feed.
Still the Caspian Shrimp may be a good live food to feed aquarium fish unless they pass on polltion and toxic chemicals to the fish feeding on them.
Question:
Would you feed these to your plecos?
The Caspian red shrimp doesn't have as much fat content as the mysis found in glacial Lakes. The Mysis currently sold as fish foods needs the fat because they live deeper in the water during the day and have to swim to the surface at night to feed.
Still the Caspian Shrimp may be a good live food to feed aquarium fish unless they pass on polltion and toxic chemicals to the fish feeding on them.
Question:
Would you feed these to your plecos?