I wrote this guide for new shrimp keepers. My own journey began in Australia in 2016 with Crystal Red and Blue Bolt, followed by a few breeding racks in my bedroom in Vietnam. I learned through observation and through my mistakes. Here, I share the mistakes I made most often, what happened and what I do differently now. If these experiences help you avoid a setback, sharing them has been worthwhile.

Each of the seven mistakes has its own page, explaining what I did, what happened and how I changed my approach.

  1. Using too much product
    The fewer things you add, the easier it is to find what went wrong.
  2. Worrying about parameters instead of the shrimp
    Watch the shrimp first. The test kit backs up what your eyes already see.
  3. Chasing a number instead of consistency
    Stable beats perfect.
  4. Overfeeding with a small stock
    Feed the shrimp you have, not the colony you hope for.
  5. Overthinking and always changing the tank
    A calm tank is a productive tank. Stick to a plan, not to every new idea.
  6. Lack of patience
    Caridina move at their own pace. Patience is part of the method.
  7. Thinking it’s all about water quality
    Don’t just give shrimp clean water. Give them a home where they can thrive.

Related guides: Water parameters · Thin soil method · Soft reset · Breeding setup & ratios · How I grade · Keeper vs project stock