Shrimp are normal. Large and extra large

A shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) about 40 cm long was caught in Colombia. It is the largest shrimp ever caught by man. It was sold for $800. The shrimp was twice as long as the common tiger shrimp, which on average grows up to 20 cm, and belonged to the species of peacock shrimp, or mantis shrimp. This is a predator, reaching, as a rule, sizes up to 30 centimeters in length, because of the powerful claws it is also called “biting fingers”.

The peacock shrimp hunts by hiding in the sand. Using her claws like a hammer, she breaks the shells of mussels and eats their tender flesh. For her, it costs nothing to hit an octopus in the eye. The optical system of this crustacean is unique. The eyes of the mantis shrimp are able to see in the optical, infrared and ultraviolet range, they see in polarized light.

This shrimp is able to glow in the dark. Marine biologists have discovered that the fluorescent signals emitted by the eyes of a shrimp are danger signals to other individuals. In shallow water, the mantis shrimp is easily recognizable by its characteristic spots. But in the depths, the shrimp will be visible only to members of its own species thanks to the "signaling".

You can understand the complexity of this wealth of signaling if you imagine that a person would need equipment weighing about 100 kg to equal the functionality of a mantis shrimp.

Director McLocky made a film about this "monster" in 2003 "Crust"-Crustacean. It is fantastic. A huge mantis shrimp about 2 meters long gets to the former boxer. He taught Cancer to box. The entire plot of the film revolves around this.

If you provoke a mantis shrimp in a real situation, then it is quite possible to be left without fingers. Therefore, it is better to “communicate” with this crustacean in thick leather gloves. IN Lately it became fashionable to keep them in aquariums.

Lara Orlova, Samogo.Net

Oleg, it is easy to get lost in all the variety of the shrimp world. How many types of shrimp are there and how do they differ?
There are about 2000 species in nature shrimp. All of them can be divided into two groups - cold-water and warm-water. Outwardly, they differ in size - cold-water ones are much smaller.

Cold water shrimp are our regular shrimp?
It is possible to say so. Northern red shrimp are the most common, but northern chillim and red comb shrimp are also common. By the way, they are red and raw. These shrimp are boiled alive in sea water and immediately frozen after cooking. You can distinguish a boiled shrimp from a raw one by the tail: in a boiled one, it is twisted, and in a raw one, the tail is straight. But here it is important to know that northern shrimp are delivered to Russia only boiled-frozen, and such a straight tail is a sign that the shrimp was already cooked dead.

An interesting moment - Russian fishermen shrimp they are caught, but they are delivered to the USA, South Korea and Japan, and we buy shrimp caught by the Danes and Canadians, they say it is profitable from an economic point of view.

Another nuance concerns the size or " caliber» shrimp. On the packaging you can find such numbers - 50/70 ( pieces per kilogram - approx. ed.), 70/90 and 90/120 The larger the number, the smaller the shrimp. So, cold-water shrimp are small, and the size of 70/90 is already rare for them. Therefore, I advise you to buy shrimp caliber 90/120, all the rest have more ice than meat.

That is, we have to be content with the smallest shrimps?
Small doesn't mean bad. On the contrary, the smaller the shrimp, the juicier their meat and brighter taste. For this reason, I like northern shrimp much more than tropical ones. Moreover, cold-water shrimp are caught in their natural habitat, and warm-water ones in industrial scale grown on farms.

Are you saying that warm water shrimp are worse?
I would say that they are not for everybody, besides, it is really easy to get confused when choosing them. For example, " royal» Shrimp do not exist in nature. Under this name, all large warm-water shrimps, with the exception of the brindle, so named because of the specific color of the shell.

IN different countries king prawns of their own - there are white Pacific, Indian, Chinese, Japanese sweet prawns, Atlantic red prawns and even giant freshwater prawns that live in southeast Asia. But only 20% of the total king prawns are caught in their natural habitat. The remaining 80% comes from farms where shrimp are bred in special ponds.

Where do king prawns come from in Russia?
We mainly receive shrimp grown in China, India and Bangladesh. Farm shrimp are always larger than wild shrimp, and the manufacturer's packaging must indicate that this is an aquaculture product. They sell frozen king prawns in three types - uncut, with a shell without a head, or completely peeled. By the way, despite the impressive size - 25-30 cm in length, meat in king prawn only 30% of the total weight, the rest is the head.

Are tiger prawns farmed too?
To a lesser extent than royal ones, but farm products are supplied to Russia Tiger chrimp. Black tiger shrimp are brought from India and China, and ordinary ones from Indonesia and Thailand. They differ in color - the common ones have dark stripes on a light shell, while the black ones have the opposite.
The size of tiger prawns is even larger than that of king prawns - 30-35 cm, and meat is 50% of the total weight. These shrimp are sold raw, with or without the head. With a head they look very impressive, and are often used to decorate dishes.

And what is scary farm shrimp?
Some people don't like the taste it gets shrimp grown on artificial feed. Someone is afraid that they are bred with the use of stimulants, dyes and antibiotics. I just like northern shrimp more - they are tastier and useful substances they have much more. But all this is true only if the shrimp is fresh.

What should be fresh shrimp?
Fresh shrimp must be properly frozen. The coloring should be even, the icing should be thin, and the tail should be pressed against the abdomen. White spots on the shell or snow flakes in the package mean that shrimps defrosted several times. Pay attention to the head of the shrimp, if any. The brown head occurs in pregnant shrimp, their meat is the most delicious and healthy. green head indicates that the shrimp fed on algae and a special type of plankton. But the black head speaks of a serious illness, eating such a shrimp is dangerous to health. Black spots on the shell are also unacceptable.

Shrimps are, without a doubt, a bright decoration of any aquarium. A rare aquarist, seeing this hydrobiont, will not want to get it in his collection. And here it is precisely the question of a great variety of species of these arthropods that confronts him. After all, there are a huge variety of shrimp species for aquarium maintenance, although their diversity is often underestimated. Without exception, all types of aquarium shrimp are equally similar in structure to each other, but they differ greatly; there are small shrimp (1.8 cm) and really large specimens (up to 35 cm) from each other in size. Of course, the coloring of shrimp deserves special attention.

Classification issues

The classification of domestic shrimp is a complex and controversial issue. There is no strict certainty in this matter. Of course, you can divide these inhabitants of the aquarium by size, color, origin, but this will entail even more confusion and gossip. Strictly speaking, unambiguously, aquarium shrimp can be unambiguously separated in only two ways. By belonging to one or another family: Caridina, Neocaridina, Macrobrachium, Palaemonidae. Or by habitat - marine or freshwater, the latter, by the way, will be discussed further.

Within the variety of "crystal" shrimp, there is its own classification by color.

All types of aquarium shrimp

As they say, it is better to see once than hear many times, in our case, read, so let's get to the point, so what are the types of shrimp and what conditions do they require?

Amano

Caridina multidentata, Caridina japonica, Amano Shrimp.

Peaceful inhabitant of freshwater aquariums. Appearance is quite primitive translucent coloration of gray-blue shades with randomly located dots on the sides (in males) and strokes (in females). An excellent cleaner and simply an indispensable fighter with thread.

They live both in small and large groups, but because in breeding Amano shrimp is quite difficult, it is recommended to keep a flock of at least 10 individuals.

Natural habitat: Korea, Taiwan, Yamato River in Japan.
The size of the female is 5-6cm, the male is 3-4cm.
Water parameters - temperature 23-27С, pH 7.2 - 7.5, hardness dH 2 - 20 °.

Harlequin

Harlequin Shrimp.

This shrimp is truly miniature and, in part, therefore, very shy. Leads a nocturnal and twilight lifestyle. The complexity of the character more than pays off with an outstanding appearance - white with red color, outlined in black, resembles a harlequin from DC Comics, this arthropod owes its name.

In nature, it lives in Indonesia on the island of Sulawesi.
Size 0.6 - 1.3 cm.
Lives in an aquarium from a year to a year and a half.
Suitable parameters are temperature 26-29°C, acidity pH 7.2-8.4, hardness dH 15-25°.

white pearl

Snowball, Snowflake, Neocaridina cf. zhangjiajiensis var. White, White Pearl Shrimp, Snowball Shrimp.

This artificially bred beauty is unpretentious in content and is suitable even for beginners. Quiet and even meek disposition makes it an excellent pet, provided that there are no predatory, very active or aggressive fish among the neighbors. Any aquarium will be decorated with a grayish-white arthropod, transparent as glass, so much so that it is absolutely not difficult to distinguish a female from a male. In the female representatives, the ovaries are visible through the light, and the caviar is completely white, reminiscent of snow, for which the shrimp received the nickname Snowflake.

Feel best in a group of 10 to 20 individuals.

Does not occur in nature. Artificially bred by German breeder Ulf Gottschalk.
Length 2 - 2.5 cm.
Longevity of life is not more than 2 years.
Conditions in the aquarium: temperature - 20-28 ° C, hardness - 6-20 °, pH not more than 7.5.

blue pearl

Blue neocaridina, Blue shrimp, Blue Pearl Shrimp, Crystal Blue shrimp, Ice Blue, Ice Blue, Ice Blue.

It was bred by crossing a blue neocardina with white individuals.

The color can change depending on the mood and well-being, while the more the color fades, the worse the arthropod feels. It is best to observe the pearl in a flock of 10 individuals and a spacious aquarium, at least 60 - 80 liters.

China is the birthplace and region of selection.
Standard size 2.5cm.
18-29°C, 6.8-7.5 Ph, dGH 2-25.
Life cycle 2 years.

Atyidae is the common name for aquarium freshwater shrimp.

blue neocardina

Blue neocardine, blue dream.

Brightly colored peaceful shrimp. There are difficulties regarding the reproduction of this species, the offspring often turns out to be greenish, gray-brown, or even completely transparent, the “blue” gene must be constantly fixed. Like most Atyidae, they do best in a group of 10-20 individuals.

The result of the work of German and Japanese breeders. First introduced to the public in the US in 2006.
Size of females up to 3 cm, males up to 2.
The life span is about 2 years.
T ° 18-28 degrees Celsius, pH 6.5 - 7.5, average hardness 2-25.

Blue brindle

Blue tiger.

the brightest hallmark of these tigers are orange eyes, which have not been seen in other aquarium arthropods. Despite the exotic appearance and the high price of maintenance, they are not whimsical.

Require frequent infusion of fresh "blood" because. due to inbreeding in the selection process, they are prone to degeneration.

They do not occur in nature. Derived from regular tiger shrimp.
They live up to 2 years maximum.
The average size is 2-2.5 cm.
Acceptable water parameters: temperature from 15 to 30, acidity 6.5 -7.5 (more acidic water breed better), hardness from 1 to 15.

blue aura

Aura Blue Dwarf Shrimp.

The Blue Aura Shrimp is undeniably one of the most beautiful of the Atyidae genus, perhaps even the most beautiful of all blue shrimps, and at the same time, as is often the case, quite enigmatic. Information about the aura can be found at a minimum, this is due to the fact that it settled in aquariums (especially Russian ones) quite recently, below is the most important information, in our opinion.

They breed easily and willingly, an experienced female carries up to 30 larvae under the tail. Despite the rarity, the conditions of keeping are very prosaic, a 10 liter aquarium with high-quality water is enough for a small flock, which will be replaced often. The aura also has an unusual trait that cannot be ignored! After molting, this hydrobiont becomes almost transparent, but do not worry, the color will be restored within a week and will delight you again.

Origin - Thailand.
Life expectancy maximum 2 years.
Size 2-3cm.
Aquarium water parameters 23-25°, pH 7-7.5, medium hardness.

blue-footed bee

Blue Leg shrimp, Blue Poso shrimp, Caridina ensifera Blue, Caridina Blue tail, Peacock.

The appearance of the blue-footed bee is more than remarkable and is unlikely to leave any aquarist indifferent. The body is gray, there are blue spots on the tail (for which the crustacean was called Peacock), blue paws and bright red antennae - antennae.

Bees have a peaceful disposition, easily get along with both non-aggressive species of arthropods and peaceful fish.

Natural habitat: Lake Poso, Indonesia, Sulawesi Islands.
The maximum size is 3cm.
Life expectancy is two to three years.
Water parameters - temperature 28-30°C, pH 7.5 - 8.5, hardness dH 7-15°, effective aeration is required.

yellow shrimp

Lemon, Yellow Pearl, Canary.

The calling card of the canary, of course, is its bright yellow color. This is the only representative of aquarium arthropods that has this color, however, with age, the pet acquires an orange tint, which does not make it less pretty.

At malnutrition able to eat all the vegetation around them.

Does not occur in nature.
The size of the yellow shrimp is 2.5 - 3 cm.
Maximum age 2, rarely 3 years
Optimal conditions: water 15 - 28 ° C, acidity 6.8-8.0 Ph.

green shrimp

Babaulti, caridina babaulti, Green Midget shrimp.

The bright and active green babaulti shrimp was discovered in India during an expedition and described in 1918. This species has often been subjected to selection, currently 5 color variations are known - blue, white red-nosed, brown, orange. The most common color in aquariums is green, most of whose representatives were brought from India, and only a small part was born in aquariums.

Homeland India (small rivers and streams)
Size up to 3.5cm
Water: Temperature from 20 to 28, hardness - 5-20, acidity - 6.5-8. Aeration and frequent water changes of about 20% of the volume are required.

Cardinal

Cardinal Shrimp and Caridina sp. "Cardinal", Denerly, Caridina dennerli.

Many atyidae have a bizarre, memorable appearance, but even among them, the Cardinal, which has recently appeared in aquariums, stands out very brightly. The color varies from red to cherry, and on the sides there is always an up-to-date white polka dot. Thin and long legs and a sharp nose only add aristocracy to the Cardinal Shrimp. Despite the apparent simplicity, the content of these arthropods has a lot of pitfalls and therefore for beginners this species does not fit!

Natural habitat: Indonesia, rocky areas of Lake Matano on the island of Sulawesi.
Size 1 - 2 cm.
Water parameters - temperature 26 - 29C, pH 7 - 9, hardness dH 9-15.

Macrobrachnums, Macrobrachium assamense.

The ring-armed shrimp is relatively large, for aquarium arthropods, species. Females reach a size of 5 cm, males are even larger and grow up to 7. The marble color, like in many other species, depends on nutrition and soil. One claw is larger than the other, but this is clearly visible only in large males.

Macrobrachnums are aggressive towards each other and towards other neighbors. Although they are predominantly nocturnal, they are ready to actively hunt down prey at any time. Therefore, forget about the thought of keeping the ring-handed with other arthropods or small fish. For these tireless hunters, large fish of at least 5 cm can become good neighbors, living in medium and upper layers home reservoir.

In nature, they live in the Eastern Himalayas, in local mountain lakes and rivers.
The length reaches 7cm.
Longevity of life 1.5 - 3 years.
Conditions in the aquarium: temperature - 21-25 ° C, hardness - 10-20 °, pH 7 - 7.5. Enhanced filtration and aeration are required, weekly water changes, if it is cold, this will have a positive effect on life expectancy.

At least 10-15 liters are needed per individual. They require flocking - 1 male and several females.

Halocaridina rubra.

The owner of a non-trivial appearance red Hawaiian shrimp ceases to be red in a stressful situation! The color fades and the animal masquerades as its environment. The character is peaceful and accommodating, but the shrimp itself can become a prey for other inhabitants of the aquarium.

There are companies selling red Hawaiian shrimp in sealed ecospheres. The shrimp in them slowly dies before your eyes, and this process can last up to 3 years. All this time, the shrimp feeds only on its shell from molt to molt. Halocaridina rubra is a very tenacious and immensely patient creature.

In good conditions, the maximum recorded life of this baby is 20 years.
As the name implies, it lives in Hawaii.
The standard size does not exceed 1.2 cm.
Life cycle, on average, 8 - 10 years.
Surprisingly, both salty and fresh water. With a temperature of 20 - 23g, although it can also tolerate a range of 15-30 ° C, pH 8.2 - 8.4.

red shrimp

Neocardina heteropoda, Cherry, Cherry.

Most popular and widely known species aquarium arthropods. Bright, unpretentious, willingly breeding Cherries have long and happily inhabited the home ponds of aquarists around the world. Read more about Cherry shrimp on our website.

Neocardina - a species from which cherries were bred, lives in Taiwan.
Size up to 4 cm.
The life span is about 3 years.
T ° 20 - 29 degrees Celsius, pH 6-8, hardness up to 15 ° dH. Be sure to have plants and mosses in which cherries can hide.

The species obtained as a result of selection of the red shrimp differs little from it, with the exception of a much brighter and rich color ranging from red to cherry.

Also bred in Taiwan from the species Neocardina heteropoda and differs from its progenitor in that this shrimp is orange from head to toe. The fry of orange fire are born lighter for their own protection, but in the process of life the color becomes more saturated and brighter.

red crystal

Red Bee, Crystal Red Shrimp, Red Bee.

Aquarium crystals are peaceful and have a very memorable appearance, for which they have gained great popularity all over the world. Within this species, as well as among its predecessor, the Bee shrimp, there is a whole hierarchy of its own in terms of color. So, some types of red bees, for example, Snow White, which will be mentioned below, are very expensive, and some have a very affordable price.

selection result. The first Crystal Red Shrimp was obtained by Japanese breeder Hisayasu Suzuki in 1993 while breeding classic black striped bees.
Size of females up to 2.5 cm, males up to 2 cm.
The life span is about 2 years.
T ° 20 -27 degrees Celsius, pH 5.5 - 7, average hardness 4-6. Very sensitive to dirty water - do not forget about filtration and weekly replacement of at least a third of the volume of aqua.

Caridina cf. cantonensis 'Snow White'.

Snow White belongs to the species Red Crystal.

The snow-white shrimp is one of the types of red bee shrimp. Snow Whites Meet varying degrees whiteness and, of course, the most valuable are completely white specimens, and the least valuable, in turn, are arthropods with a predominant area of transparent body segments. The conditions of its content are somewhat different from traditional crystals:

Adult size up to 3 cm.
The average length of life is 2-4 years.
The required temperature is 25–30°C, hardness is 1–10, acidity is 6.0–7.5 pH.

red ruby

Caridina cf. cantonensis 'Red Ruby'.

Another representative of the genus crystal. In contrast to Snow White, it is absolutely not whimsical, withstands a huge range of acidity and hardness, but in the "home" selection, the offspring may not become as bright as its parents, and so over and over again.

Size up to 3.5 cm, other parameters do not differ from the ancestor described above - the Red bee.

As a rule, the higher the class of shrimp, the more difficult it is to care for it.

Shrimp Ruby Red in 2009 set a record for the high cost - it was bought at an auction for 4800 euros.

Caridina cantonensis sp. Red Tiger.

The red tiger shrimp is perfectly camouflaged in its natural habitat - the light beige body of the arthropod is wrapped in thin red stripes, and the bottom of the native reservoirs is covered with red stones - the shrimp is invisible there, and it is impossible not to pay attention to it in the aquarium! Perfectly coexists with peaceful medium-sized fish and contrasts beautifully with plants.

In nature, it lives in the reservoirs of southern China.
They live on average up to 2 years.
The size reaches 3.5cm.
Acceptable water parameters: temperature from 25 to 30, acidity 6.5 -7.8, hardness from 1 to 15 dGH.

Red Noice Shrimp, Pinocchio, Rudolph, Rhino, Rhino.

I would compare the red-nosed shrimp with an arrow - thin, sharp, graceful, this ten-legged beauty will not leave you indifferent! The body of the shrimp is almost transparent, but the shade may change depending on the mood of the shrimp. So the milky shade speaks of the disease of living creatures.

In its natural environment, this shrimp is a vegetarian, so with a lack of vegetation in the diet, it will gladly absorb aquarium plants.

Native to India and Southeast Asia. Ponds with stagnant water, or very weak current.
Females reach a size of 4 cm, males 2.5.
Necessary conditions: temperature 20-28 ° C, acidity pH 6.4-7.5, hardness dH 8-15 °, water must be brackish 8-10 grams table salt per liter of water, do not forget about this when choosing neighbors for the red-nosed beauty and plants for decorating the aquarium.

Macrobrachium sp. "Inle-See".

Inle Lake is located in Myanmar (Southeast Asia), it is a truly large body of water, its size is 22 km by 10 km, and the mysterious Inle Lake shrimp lives here. This arthropod belongs to the Palaemonidae shrimp species and belongs to predators. The appearance is modest - a transparent body with reddish stripes and strokes of various types.

In nature, they live, as the name suggests, in Inle Lake.
The length reaches 3cm.
Conditions in the aquarium: temperature - 25-29 ° C, hardness - 5-9 °, pH 6-7.5.

tangerine

Orange Sunkist Shrimp, Tangerine Shrimp, Caridina sp. Orange Borneo, Caridina thambipillai, Fanta Shrimp, Orange Soda Shrimp.

Peaceful and funny like its name, the Mandarin shrimp is a typical member of the Caridina genus. The transparent body is orange, sometimes with reddish dots and strokes on the sides. You can only keep a flock, preferably at least 8 individuals.

In nature, they live on the island of Sulawesi, in Indonesia.
Life expectancy is not more than 2 years.
Length. Females reach 3 cm, males do not grow larger than 2.5.
Conditions in the aquarium: temperature - 20-28 ° C, hardness -6-15 °, pH 6.5-8.

Nigerian shrimp

Nigerian shrimp, Atia, Cameroonian filter feeder.

More than an unusual aquarium shrimp Atiya. It is very large for an aquarium, its color is more than modest from grayish blue to bleached blue, but what the most interesting thing is that she has no claws! The thing is that the Nigerian shrimp lives in reservoirs with a strong current and get their own food by filtration. Peaceful and interesting arthropod, will never offend your fish.

Live in West Africa
The size of an adult female reaches 18 cm, males are smaller - a maximum of 14.
Water parameters: T 23-28°С, pH 6.5 - 7.5.

Desmocaris trispinosa.

It is possible to confuse the Nigerian floating shrimp and Atiya (which was mentioned above) only by name, because outwardly these arthropods are complete antipodes of each other. The NPK is medium-sized and transparent in appearance, generally nondescript and interesting mainly for its unusual way of movement for shrimp, it seems to soar, float above the surface.

Homeland - Africa.
Temperature - 25–29 ° С, pH - 6.0–7.5, hardness - 6–9 dGH.

Another major difference between the NPC and the Nigerian shrimp, the latter needs a strong current, while the former prefers completely stagnant water.

Ninja

Caridina - serratirostris, Ninja Shrimp, honey or Christmas shrimp.

Ninja shrimp carry their mysterious name for a reason, and among their many nicknames, “chameleon” is missing. We already wrote that some shrimp are able to change color during stress, fright, or vice versa courting a female, a ninja is a completely different matter, this is an unsurpassed master of disguise. Watching how the shrimp changes color depending on which pebble it sits on is a real pleasure! In addition, there are no difficulties in keeping this arthropod, but the excellent resume of caridina - serratirostris is overshadowed, only by the fact that reproduction in an aquarium requires titanic efforts and, as a result, is almost impossible.

The region of origin is Asia, more precisely Japan, the Philippine, Polynesian Islands, the island of Fiji, the island of Madagascar.
Life expectancy is 2-3 years on average.
The size of the male is up to 2.5 cm, the females are larger by 1 cm.
Water parameters: temperature 22-27°C, acidity 6.4-7.3, hardness dH 6-20°.

Macrobrachium carcinus.

This article has already written about shrimp of the genus Macrobrachium and the main thing is that you should remember about them almost all representatives of this species are predators, so you should choose your neighbors very carefully, and the long-clawed shrimp is no exception.

Males perform a very entertaining mating dance for females, but due to natural shyness, the arthropod dances only in the dark.

At home in the countries of Central and South America, Macrobrachium carcinus itself is a subject of hunting, the locals eat them.

The natural habitat is the fast large streams of Central and South America.
Average size 30 -35cm.
Requirements for the content are as simple as possible - warm, pure water from 22 to 27°C, and a strong current.

Bee

Caridina cantonensis sp. "Bee" - Black Bee Shrimp.

The bees include many other shrimp bearing different names, but the history of the appearance and living conditions of these arthropod relatives are the same. Therefore, when reading about the shrimp bee, keep in mind that it says about: striped bee, black bee, princess bee, King Kong shrimp, Panda, Bumblebee, Black Diamond (aka black tiger) and some others.

The bee has almost equal proportions black and white, Black Diamond shrimp, King Kong almost black, Panda allowed white areas at the junction of the cephalothorax and rostrum, as well as stripes on the abdomen.

The higher the class of black diamonds (like the red ones we have already talked about), the more difficult their content is., and King Kongs, for example, almost do not breed in amateur aquariums.

Country of origin - Taiwan (bred by man).
The average life expectancy is 1.5g.
Size - up to 3.5 cm.
Necessary conditions: temperature 20-26°С, acidity pH 6.0-6.8, hardness Gh 2-5 °dH.

Riley

Riley Shrimp.

Lightweight and weightless, the Riley shrimp was bred from the genus Neocaridina heteropoda by famous breeder Suzuki Hisuasu among aquarists. Red rilies were the first to appear and they were so fond of the aquarium community that orange, blue, yellow ones soon appeared ... The value of Rili Shrimp depends on how large a part of the shrimp's body is transparent. This active baby is looking for food all day long, swimming around the aquarium.

Released in Taiwan in 1996.
Length is 2 cm on average.
Water: temperature 18-28°C, acidity pH 6.4 - 7.6, hardness dH 4-14°.

Indian, Asian, Thai, Grass shrimp. Ghost, GLASS SHRIMP, Palaemonetes paludosus.

There are 2 species of relatively large glass shrimp that are extremely similar in appearance, so we will divide them according to their habitat into Asian and North American. Both are transparent, for which they were nicknamed "glass", the Asian one has the nickname Grass Shrimp, and the name Ghost is often applied to the American one.

Both of them can independently build shelters for themselves if sand or very fine gravel is used as soil. Large individuals during the breeding season can be aggressive towards small brothers, in order to avoid this, adhere to the proportion of 1 shrimp: 4 liters of water or more.

The average life span is 1-2 years, rarely longer.
Size up to 5 cm females, males maximum 4 cm, both in good conditions.
And here is a look at good conditions The content of these shrimp is different:
Asians. Water temperature 20-28gr., acidity pH 6.5-7.5, hardness does not matter.
Americans. Temperature 18-29g., pH acidity - 6.5-7.5, hardness GH - 5-8.
For those and others, it is necessary to have high-quality filtration and aeration, as well as weekly water changes up to 20% of the volume of the aquarium.

Filterer Anopsis

Atyopsis moluccensis, banana, bamboo, forest shrimp.

The appearance of anopsis is unlikely to make you fall in love with it without a memory. Brown stripes on a yellowish body make it invisible in nature, but this crustacean does not intend to hide in an aquarium. He will definitely take some peak and begin to catch food with his paws - fans (which replaced the claws). This is a very interesting and even bewitching sight. If the filter feeder began to spend more time at the bottom in search of food, it means that he is malnourished, because his way of eating is not quite usual and it is more difficult for him to get enough than others.

Homeland - Southeast Asia.
The maximum age is 2 years.
Length 6-10cm.
Comfortable parameters: temperature 23-29C, acidity pH: 6.5-7.5, hardness dH: 6-15.

Leander modestus.

This is, perhaps, the only aquarium shrimp, whose native reservoirs are located, including on the territory of the Russian Federation.

The appearance of the leander is not very expressive - an almost transparent body and very long antennae, sometimes exceeding the length of its owner. But this shrimp can be observed around the clock, because, unlike many of their counterparts, they are active even during the day. They live in peace and harmony with the fish, they perfectly play the role of a cleaner, picking with small claws in the ground. Conflicts within the group are possible if there is not enough space in the aquarium. One Khanka shrimp should have at least 7-10 liters.

The region of natural residence is the Far East, Lake Khanka, etc.
The body size of the female is 3-4 cm, males, as is most often the case in arthropods, their smaller length varies from 2 to 2.5 cm.
Water for hankaiki needs to be very clean, so you can not save on the filter. Round the clock aeration is required. The temperature is tolerated at 15-30 ° C, although it is better, of course, not to bring it to extremes and stop in the range of 20 -24 ° C. The ideal option it will be if the temperature of the water in the aquarium drops in winter, and rises in spring, closer to summer, in order to approach the natural annual cycle. Hardness not less than 10. It does not impose special requirements on acidity.

Caridina Simoni Simoni.

A small, transparent Ceylon shrimp is interesting, first of all, for its active behavior - it actively scurries around the aquarium all day long in search of food and does not at all seek to hide anywhere. The color varies from brownish and greenish to blue.

Homeland Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Java.
Length 1.8-2.5 cm.
Maintenance requirements: strong aeration and filtration, weekly water changes at least 1/3. water temperature 20-30°C, acidity pH 5.5-8, hardness dH 3-15°.

Macrobrachium nipponense.

A very elegant Japanese shrimp resembles a glass figurine - a transparent, slightly brownish body with a contrasting black stripe for a third of its length, brick-red claws in males and orange in females, and bead eyes complete the picture.

The character is nasty and even aggressive, so only arthropods of similar size and fish that will not give themselves offense can be neighbors of this species.

In the group, stick to the balance of 1 male -2.3 females.

In nature, they live in Japan, which becomes obvious from the name.
Size 6-8cm.
Water temperature 26-30, acidity pH 6.4-6.8, hardness does not matter.

Outcome

Whatever type of shrimp you choose for yourself, remember a few simple rules that will help you and make life easier for your pets:

Copper is contraindicated for shrimps of any kind. Be careful, because it is contained in many medicines for fish.
Any arthropod (and fish will be grateful) should live in a clean environment, so consider the issue of filtration and water changes in advance.
The presence of plants in the aquarium is mandatory. It is better if these are mosses and small-leaved ones for small breeds and larger ones for arthropods of a serious size.
If you are planning to do breeding, theoretically crossbreeding is possible as follows: Caridina + Caridina, Macrobrachium + Macrobrachium, Neocaridina + Neocaridina, etc. Shrimps belonging to different families not only do not interbreed, but can also conflict when kept together. However, one should not conclude that any species can be crossed within the same family. The issue of shrimp breeding is delicate and individual, but if you decide to select these animals, you will not regret it.

The world of aquarium shrimp is more than diverse and everyone can find a shrimp to their liking.

Seafood is loved and appreciated all over the world, not only for its excellent taste qualities but also for their benefits to our body.

Rich in protein, iodine and other trace elements, for many they have become an integral part of both everyday and diet menu. Fish, mussels, squids, oysters, crabs and, of course, exotic shrimps - today we will talk about them!

Tender and juicy shrimp meat is a very healthy and valuable seafood, which, although it is available for mass sale, is, for the most part, a delicacy. No wonder, because shrimp are not only a very tasty independent dish that does not require much hassle in the cooking process, but also a very valuable ingredient for cooking complex dishes haute cuisine that adorn the tables of the most sophisticated gourmets!

The most important value of such a seafood is not at all in its amazing taste, but in its rich composition of trace elements, vitamins and valuable minerals which are very beneficial for the human body.

It turns out that shrimp meat, like most seafood, is full of valuable iodine, which is so necessary for the functioning of the thyroid gland.

A huge amount of calcium, phosphorus, cobalt, iron and important amino acids contributes to the stable operation and functioning of most of the vital systems of the human body. However, shrimp are considered dietary and low calorie meal, which is very effective in the fight against obesity, and can also be part of the menu of many diets and rules healthy eating.

Light and at the same time satisfying shrimp leave few people indifferent. And if their few opponents are most often scared off by a pungent smell when cooking, then admirers value them as a delicacy, gourmet snack, a component for many salads and other dishes, as well as an important element diet food.

Cholesterol contained in shrimp does not accumulate in the body, but is quickly broken down and excreted. Therefore, regular consumption of shrimp has a beneficial effect on the entire body as a whole: the metabolism is accelerated, the structure of the skin, hair and nails improves, the work of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems normalizes.

It is not for nothing that this delicacy is recognized as a dietary delicacy - the calorie content of 100 grams of boiled shrimp is approximately equal to the calorie content of the same volume of boiled chicken breast. Another question: which of these products is tastier?

100 grams of boiled shrimp contain on average:

Proteins - 18 g
Fats - 2 g
Carbohydrates - 0 g
Calorie content - 97 kcal

In addition, 100 grams of shrimp contains the daily norm of iodine.

However, as it turned out, if shrimp does not learn how to choose and cook correctly, then not only will they not bring much benefit, but they can even have a negative effect on our body!
To avoid such very unpleasant moments, I decided to tell you how to choose and cook shrimp at home.

How to choose shrimp

Shrimps are caught in the coastal or deep water zones of the ocean, or they are grown on special "shrimp" farms. There are a huge variety of shrimp species in the world, off the Far Eastern coast of Russia alone their number exceeds a hundred - no country in the world has such a rich selection of these crustaceans. Given that they are all found in the northern seas, then, by definition, they are the most delicious! In general, northern shrimp have the richest set of nutrients and are the most balanced in composition.

In total, there are about 2 thousand species of shrimp. However, 4 types of this product are most often found on store shelves: classic, royal, tiger and “cocktail” shrimp, which are divided into cold-blooded and warm-blooded.

The first of them get to our supermarkets from the coast of Canada, Denmark, Norway, Lithuania and Estonia. During the year, Russian fishermen catch about 10 thousand tons of shrimp, but all of them are exported to Japan and the USA, and, alas, they actually do not reach the Russians. And the demand is insane. Because they are tasty and healthy.
Cold-blooded shrimp are not too big; in regular packaging they reach no more than 7 cm in length.

Warm-blooded animals appeared on the shelves of our stores relatively recently, they came to us from the distant shores of China, South Asia, Vietnam and Thailand. Usually these are large shrimp that can reach 20-30 cm in length, so they are also called tiger (those that are smaller) or king (the largest individuals).

When sorting through bags of shrimp in a supermarket, be sure to pay attention to the country of origin, because, as it turns out, European shrimp undergo much stricter product quality control than Asian ones, and, therefore, there are much fewer problems with them.

classic shrimp - are most common, their size is from 3 to 10 cm. They are used in salads and other dishes, the most popular view product for home use.

Tiger chrimp- very large shrimp with a striped tail (hence the name, although the stripes disappear when frozen). They usually reach 20 cm in length (but some individuals grow up to 35 cm in length, and their weight can be more than 600 grams). Most often they are grown in artificial conditions. This species is "fatter" than its other counterparts, therefore it cannot be considered a dietary product.

king prawns- in fact, in nature this kind does not exist. The largest individuals with a stronger shell, suitable in size and color, are simply selected. In terms of price, they are more affordable than tiger ones, and are most often presented on the table in the form of piece snacks. They have a more bland taste compared to regular shrimp and a lot of meat.

"Cocktail" shrimp- also "artificially" invented the name of the species. Here sellers include shrimp meat, peeled from the shell, head and legs. It is more convenient to use such shrimp for cooking, and given that 1 kg of cocktail shrimp corresponds to 3 kg of unpeeled shrimp, then such shrimp are much more economical for cooking.

Two years ago, Sanitary Rules and Norms were adopted, according to which the amount of glaze (ice) on fish should not exceed five percent by weight. On shrimp - no more than seven percent. If these norms are more or less observed with fish, then on shrimp, even with the naked eye, it is noticeably clearly large quantity ice.

However, when we go to the store, we often pay attention not to the amount of ice at all. Rather appreciate the view.
For example, if you ask the average customer what kind of shrimp do you choose? - Royal, of course, they have more meat and they are more satisfying - the most common answer.
But gray tiger prawns and red king prawns are actually the same thing! And there is very little taste and nutrients in these giant shrimp. As a rule, they are grown artificially, feeding them with animal feed and treating them with antibiotics so that they grow faster and do not get sick. That is, they gain weight rapidly, but there is very little benefit from this.
The most useful shrimp are small, they contain more trace elements, vitamins and useful protein. And all because they grow in natural conditions, eating normal food.

Most of the shrimp that we sell are frozen (as indicated by marking "V/M" on the package), because in fresh they don't last very long. The most popular method of storage and the possibility of their further transportation - fresh shrimp boiled and immediately frozen, it is in this form that we, most often, purchase this product.

Sometimes on sale you can find peeled, boiled and frozen shrimp: usually they are pure meat, without a head, shell and paws. In fact, they don’t even need to be cooked in this form, since they are already completely ready for use (as, for example, crab sticks), it is enough to defrost them, wash with boiled water and eat.
True, in this form, this seafood is not to everyone's taste, some lovers believe that, in this way, special notes of the taste of this delicacy are lost.
Needless to say, to each his own, just often, when buying whole shrimp, we overpay well for the heads (quite large and weighty) and the shell, which, later, we throw away.

On packages with shrimp, numerical pairs are prescribed, which many take for their size (for example, 90-12 or 50-70). In fact, they indicate the number of pieces in 1 kg of the finished product, and it turns out that the smaller these numbers, the larger each shrimp.
Thus, the numbers on the packages, for example, 90x120 or 70x90, indicate the size of the shrimp - that is, in the first case, these are very small - there are from 90 to 120 pieces in a kilogram. In the second case, the shrimp are larger, that is, in a kilogram there will already be from 70 to 90 pieces.

When choosing shrimp, you should pay attention to their appearance. They must be twisted, because the straighter the shrimp, the longer it lay without freezing.

What to pay attention to

Whatever the size of the loose shrimp (you can inspect it before buying, which is not always possible with the packaged one), the most important thing is that it be glossy. That is, not winded in appearance.

There shouldn't be any white or yellow spots on the shell. Such spots may mean that the shrimp thawed on the way and black smudges appeared on it. To wash them, sometimes special cleaning solutions are used. After which white or yellow spots appear. So any spots are a bad sign. At a minimum, they mean that the shrimp has been thawed and frozen more than once.

The package must not contain any frost. This is a sign that the rules for storage or transportation were not followed - which means that the carcasses were also slightly defrosted. Covering carapace ice crust should be thin, but solid.

Regular boiled shrimp pale pink, even rather pale pink, not a very beautiful color. Therefore, in order to give them a supposedly marketable appearance, shrimp are tinted during cooking.
There is no information on the packaging about this. But it is easy to understand - the dyed shrimp are juicy pink, almost red. Some are orange. The brighter the arthropods, the worse.

- The head of the shrimp should not be black(this is an indicator of improper storage of the product).
But shrimp with a green head, oddly enough, you should not be afraid - this color is given to them by plankton, which they feed on in their natural environment.
Better pay attention to the color of the meat - it should not be yellowish is a sign of old age.

Shrimp shelf life freezershould not exceed 6 months.

How to cook shrimp properly?

Fresh shrimp
If you bought frozen fresh shrimp (they will have a gray-brown color), then, first, you need to defrost them, and the slower the better.

The ideal option is to pour the frozen mass into a wide large bowl and put it overnight at the bottom of the refrigerator. By morning, your shrimp will be completely thawed, while retaining most of the useful and valuable substances. The recipe for properly cooking fresh shrimp is simple: you need hot water, salt, and whatever spices you like best.

In principle, there are no difficulties in how to properly cook shrimp. Everything is done very simply. In cooking, the main thing is to original product was good quality :o)
We lower the shrimp into boiling salted and seasoned water, the cooking time should vary according to their size. Usually 5-10 minutes are enough, during which time they begin to float and turn red. When everything has surfaced and changed color - the shrimp are ready, turn off and leave for 10-15 minutes in the broth, so they will turn out more juicy.

It is very important not to overcook the shrimp, because with prolonged heat treatment, they turn into a rubbery and not very tasty mass, which, among other things, loses most of its nutrients.

When cooking "crustaceans" their color changes, redness appears. This is due to the presence in "crustaceans", in particular in shrimp, of the antioxidant astaxanthin. It was first isolated in 1938 from lobster meat.
Antioxidants can prevent the damaging effect of free radicals on the cells of living organisms, and thereby slow down the aging process. It has long been established that people whose diet regularly includes fish and seafood not only have excellent health, but also have a much higher life expectancy.

You can cook shrimp correctly and others more original way, especially if there are a lot of people at the table and the shrimp have to be cooked in several passes.

In a large saucepan with a volume of five liters, pour two-thirds of water. As soon as the water starts to boil, they throw in cloves (12-15 pieces), Bay leaf(4-6 leaves), a dozen black peppercorns, half a dozen peppercorns allspice, half a lemon, a medium head of garlic (to be cut) and another half a dozen tablespoons of good tomato paste(you can replace 1-2 incomplete tablespoons of paprika powder) and, of course, lightly salt.

As soon as the brine boils, load the shrimp into it. Let them boil and cook for a couple more minutes.

Since shrimp meat is extremely tender, it does not require long cooking. General rule: smaller shrimp (Atlantic) cook for 3-5 minutes; and those that are larger (royal and brindle) no more than 10 minutes. If the shrimp is cooked correctly, then its meat will literally “melt” in the mouth.

If the shrimp are boiled for a salad, then they can be put on a sieve and poured with cold boiled water in order to better clean them. However, some people prefer to boil already peeled shrimp for these purposes in order not to lose a lot of time.

What to do with boiled-frozen shrimp?
It's even easier here, because your shrimp are already, in fact, ready. It is enough to defrost them and pour boiling water over them to bring them to an edible appearance, however, in order to avoid various intestinal bacteria that are destroyed only under the action of high temperatures for several minutes, it is better to boil them. About how to do it right, I already wrote in a post. How to cook frozen shrimp.

Many are interested in the question, how much should shrimp be cooked in this case? 2-3 minutes are enough, after which it is better to leave them in the broth for another 10 minutes. Tiger prawns cook a little longer - 4-5 minutes.

Basic Rules recommended for preparation delicious meals from shrimp.

Defrost shrimp only at room temperature (never in hot water)
While defrosting shrimp, rinse them in cold water.
You can cook, fry, bake shrimp in shell and without it.
Boil tiger prawns in salted water.
Place shrimp in boiling water only.
Cooking time should not exceed 5-7 minutes from the moment of boiling. Otherwise, the meat from tender and melting in the mouth can turn into "rubber".
Cook small shrimp for no more than 2-3 minutes from the moment of boiling.
Readiness is determined by the change in color of shrimp meat - it turns orange - and the shell becomes translucent.
You can fry shrimp in a pan for no more than two minutes.
Bake the shrimp for about 20 minutes.
Shrimp shells can be used as a base for making fish soup.
Sometimes, just throwing shrimp into boiling salt water and waiting for them to float to the top is enough. Throw ready shrimp in a colander and that's it! You can start eating.
The water in the pan should be twice as much as the tiger prawns themselves.
Most recommend that once the tiger prawns are cooked, take them out of the water immediately. But there is another tip: leave the shrimp in the water to "rest" for 10-15 minutes; This will only make the taste more tender.
Another way to cook shrimp is 50 minutes (small 25 minutes). During such a cooking period, the meat, as it were, bypasses the “rubber” stage and also turns out to be very juicy and tender.
Shrimp can also be used in various salads, make kebabs or canapes out of them, grill them, use them in salads, pizza and sea cocktails, pickle

Hot cooked shrimp, as a rule, are put on the table along with the broth.
Or served on a dish decorated with dill and lettuce, it turns out not only fragrant and tasty, but also very aesthetically pleasing!
Based on materials from brjunetka.ru, seafood-order.ru, redmondclub.com

Bon appetit!

Facts on the topic

Digression: While you're poking around the bags of frozen animals with inspiration, learn something interesting:

And yet they are "shrimp"! Shrimp are hermaphrodites. That is, having swept away the eggs, they change the female gender to the male, having time to be both mom and dad. That is, in life they are still “it” - that is, a shrimp!
The largest shrimp is over 30 cm long! True, along with the tail and antennae.
In the Far East, shrimp are called "chilim".

You may not have known, but...

On the equatorial bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, scientists discovered "extreme" shrimp, which by some miracle did not turn into a dish Sous Vide: the water temperature at the thermal crater reaches 60-70 degrees Celsius, or even more.
Shrimps often molt, shedding the narrow old shell and growing a larger shell.
The heart of a shrimp is located in her ... head!
In Judaism, shrimp are forbidden for food, like other crustaceans.
The annual catch of shrimp is more than 3.5 million tons, and their total value exceeds $10 billion.
The noise generated by a flock of shrimp is deafening - 246 decibels (for comparison, the noise during takeoff of a jet aircraft is 140 dB). The "shrimp" noise can be recreated if all the inhabitants of the planet gather in one place and start frying bacon in pans at the same time.
If in Russia they say “When the cancer whistles on the mountain”, then in England the saying sounds like this: “When shrimps learn to whistle” (When shrimps learn to whistle).

The artificial lake Beloe, near the city of Beloozersk, Berezovsky district, is the only reservoir in Belarus where the eastern river shrimp is found. Scientists brought it here more than 30 years ago.
On White Lake, it was decided to try to breed shrimp for a reason. The fact is that because of the Berezovskaya GRES, the temperature in the canal is higher than in other water bodies of the country. Beloe Lake is a cooling pond for the station. According to locals, the water here does not freeze even in winter, and in summer it warms up to +30 °C.
In 1982, about 1.5 thousand specimens of adults were launched into the lake. Since then, it has successfully acclimatized, entered the diet of predatory fish.
Commercial fishing for shrimp is not carried out.

In the underwater world great amount living beings that differ in classes and types. The class of crustaceans is represented by shrimp. They can be found in any sea or ocean. Shrimp vary in appearance, size, color and lifestyle. The shrimp's lifestyle is calm, they do not change their area of habitat and are in the same territory throughout their lives.

The life of a shrimp is from half a year to a year, and the average size varies from 6 to 14 cc. The maximum length is 40 cm, this is the largest shrimp in history. Shrimps of the minimum size are harvested in the northern area Pacific Ocean and in the Barents Sea.

Features of the life of a shrimp

A species of shrimp, common on the west coast of Africa, lives in muddy areas near the mouth of a river. The temperature of the natural water layer varies from 17 to 23 degrees, and the depth does not exceed 70 meters. In daylight, the shrimp burrow into the mud and rest until dark. At night, they hunt for small creatures from the category of crustaceans.

The Far East is also rich in various types of shrimp. There they are called shrims or chilim. In the coastal regions of the Kuril Islands, in South Sakhalin and in Primorye, there is a species of grass shrimp, they live in sea grass. And near the mouths of the river, small sandy shrims live. A large species of shrimp that reaches 30 cm is called shrims - a bear cub, they are common in the Japanese, Bering and Okhotsk seas.

Rating of the largest shrimp

In first place in the ranking of the largest shrimp is the shrimp Odontodactylus scyllarus. This species was caught in Colombia, its length reached 40 cm. The size of the shrimp was twice the size of the average tiger shrimp, which reaches 20 cm. It was attributed to a variety of peacock shrimp or mantis shrimp. The mantis shrimp is a predator whose size can reach 30 cm, and powerful claws give it additional size. Because of them, it is popularly called "biting finger".

Shrimp Odontodactylus scyllarus, or Peacock shrimp

The peacock species of shrimp hunts from the sand. They use their pincers as a hammer that can break mussel shells to feast on. tender meat. Also, they can easily hit the octopus and damage it. This type of crustacean has a unique optical system. Their eyes see in optical, infrared and ultraviolet ranges.

Peacock shrimp can glow at night. This phenomenon was discovered by marine biologists, they found that the light signals that come from the eyes of shrimp are a signal of an approaching danger to other individuals. The mantis shrimp is clearly visible in shallow water, the surface of its body is covered with characteristic spots. And in the depths of the reservoir, they can only be distinguished by the light that comes from the eyes of this individual.

To understand the full scale of the wealth of such a "signaling" and compare the functionality with a peacock shrimp, you need to use special equipment, the weight of which will reach 100 kg.

In second place is a type of shrimp that reaches 28 cm. It is fixed in and is the official representative of the largest type of shrimp. The crustacean is 10 times larger than all species of its class, it was caught by fishermen in the north of the New Zealand coast.

The official record for the largest shrimp was set by a biologist from the UK - Alan Jamieson (Alan Jamieson). The shrimp was caught at a depth of 10 kilometers. The scientist was surprised by his prey and for a long time could not understand what kind this creature belongs to. It was possible to catch an unknown shrimp with the help of a trap located at the bottom of the sea.

On the same expedition, Alan Jemison's team managed to catch another representative of crustaceans, the size of which was 33 cm. However, an unknown creature slipped out of the trap at the moment of lifting. This species has not been officially recorded and remains unstudied. There is a video recording of a secret view that confirms the existence.

Unexplored secrets of the underwater world

Renowned director McLocky created a film about a giant mantis shrimp, it was released in 2003 and was called - "Crust" - Crustacean. The genre of the film is fantasy. In the story - a giant peacock shrimp falls into the hands of a former boxer, and he will teach her all the elements of boxing.

If you transfer the meaning of the plot to the real world, then with the provocation of a peacock shrimp, you can lose all the fingers on your hand. Therefore, you need to handle it only with a special glove.

The existence of many species has not yet been proven by scientists, but everyone hopes to discover their own unique species, which will reach record sizes.

"Finding such a huge shrimp proves the fact that we know very little about the inhabitants sea world, their life and reproduction," scientists from Alan Jamison's team note.

To set a record, you need to carefully and gradually study the underwater world, this can take a large number of years, but they will not be wasted.