How Long Do Freshwater Shrimp Live?
Freshwater shrimp are fascinating little creatures that have color, behavior, and even a bit of tank-cleaning help for your aquarium. But if you’re beginner of shrimp keeping or you just have one shrimp from the aquarium store, you might be wondering: how long do freshwater shrimp live?
The short answer is—it depends on the species, but most freshwater shrimp live anywhere from 1 to 2 years, with a few exceptions that can live longer. Let’s take a quick look at some common types and their typical lifespans:
Common Freshwater Shrimp Lifespans:
- Neocaridina Shrimp (Red Cherry, Blue Dream, and Yellow shrimp): Around 1.5 to 2 years with good care.
- Caridina Shrimp (such as Crystal Red, Crystal Black, or Bee shrimp): Around 1.5 to 2 years, but they’re a bit more sensitive to water conditions.
- Amano Shrimp: These hardy guys can live 2 to 3 years and are known for their algae-cleaning abilities.
- Ghost Shrimp: More meet funds for everyone and commonly found in pet stores, Ghost Shrimp usually live about 1 year, sometimes longer.
- Bamboo or Vampire Shrimp: These larger, filter-feeding shrimp can live 2 to 3 years in a stable, well-maintained setup.
How to Help Shrimp Live Longer?
No matter what type of shrimp you choose, all shrimp are healthy when their water is clean, stable, and always cycled. Avoid water temperature changes, give them plenty of hiding spots such as caves, plants,…, and feed them a balanced diet like shrimp pellets, blanched veggies, or biofilm in planted tanks.
Shrimp may be small, but with the right care, they can stick around longer than you’d think—and be fun to watch every day!
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