Ghost shrimp (Palaemonetes paludosus) care guide

Group
Shrimp
Other names
Palaemon paludosus, Glass shrimp, Eastern grass shrimp, Hippolyte paludosa, Palaemonetes exilipes
Family
Palaemonidae
Origin
South-eastern United States east of the Appalachians; also Louisiana, with scattered records in Texas and California
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
2.5 cm
Temperature
18–28°C
pH
7–8
Hardness
6–15 dGH, 3–10 dKH
Minimum tank
20 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful
Lifespan
About 1 years

Care

The ghost or glass shrimp is a small, almost completely transparent freshwater shrimp from the south-eastern USA, growing to about 2.5 cm. It can shift its pigment granules to blend in with its surroundings. Name: the species was long placed in Palaemonetes, but that genus has been merged into Palaemon, so it is now usually called Palaemon paludosus; we keep the older name as the page key because it is still the name most sellers use. Shrimp sold as "ghost shrimp" are often a mix of several similar Palaemon and Macrobrachium species, and some of these grow larger and are much more predatory, so buy from a seller who knows what they have. Set-up: easy to keep in any established tank with plants. In the wild it hides in dense vegetation by day, so give plenty of cover. Keep a group; a common guide is no more than about one shrimp per 4 litres. It is mainly nocturnal and comes out to feed at night. Water: hardy and tolerant of a wide range of fresh, slightly hard water at about 18–28 °C. It can live in slightly brackish water. Role: a good beginner scavenger that eats algae, aquatic insect larvae and leftover fish food. It is also widely sold as cheap live food for larger fish, which is worth knowing when choosing tankmates. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Never dose copper in a tank holding this animal, and check fertiliser and medicine labels before use. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palaemonetespaludosus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Omnivore. In the wild it eats algae, diatoms and small aquatic insects, feeding mostly at night. In the aquarium it scavenges leftover food and takes flake, sinking pellets, small frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, and blanched vegetables. Feed a little after lights-out if it is kept with fast fish.

Breeding

Females are larger and carry greenish eggs under the abdomen; a clutch is up to about 85 eggs. Males mate with several females, and breeding is triggered by warmer water. The larvae are tiny and free-swimming; this species can be raised in fresh water, but the larvae need very fine food (green water, infusoria, powdered fry food) and must be kept away from adults and filters, so a separate rearing tank with a sponge filter is best. Adults often die after the breeding season.

Compatibility and tank mates

Fine with small and medium peaceful fish that cannot swallow it. Larger fish (cichlids, large gouramis, bass, large barbs) will eat it. It may catch very small fry and newly hatched dwarf shrimp, so do not keep it with prized Neocaridina or Caridina colonies. Generally does not harm plants.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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