#java loach

[shrimpapalooza]

Noodles at play

[waterskies]

Well, I turned this:

Into this:

Moved most of the vallisneria I pulled out into my 40 gal long.

The stuff that remains was the shaded out stuff in the back, but if it continues to grow like usual, then it'll be filled out again in no time.

I'm glad I can at least see the anubias again lol

I can also catch more glimpses of the creatures in here, like the Amano shrimp.

I haven't seen either kind of loach in a while! Here they are snufflin' away~

The lone remaining cherry barb still looks great against the green. I would get more if they weren't nippy!

I'm still wanting a feature fish for this tank, and I'm still leaning on the side of honey gourami, 3 of them. Or a single dwarf gourami, since I've had two before and loved them. Hmm.. choices.. decisions.

[size-two-shrimp]

My idiot fish are stealing my other idiot fish's food smh

[prince-liest]

I saw that you are an aquarium fan! What's your favourite kind of tank fish? Mine is certainly Neon Innesa but Pterophyllum scalare are also pretty neat!!

TIL you can change the colors of text in asks! Neat!

And oooh - haha, thanks for getting me started on this! >:) I actually do have a group of neons in my larger community tank. I think they're very pretty fish and they hold a nostalgia for me because my mom had a bunch when I was young. I don't have a tank large enough for angelfish unfortunately, and I've also just in general been won over to the pros of having exclusively non-aggressive community fish in the community fish tank, so I'm not sure if I'd ever go for angels.

That said, if she hadn't been a homicidal shrimp murderer, I cannot overstate how nice it was to put my betta fish into a 20 gallon tank. People are often focused on putting bettas in the minimum safe size of tank for them, and it feels like you rarely see the interesting behaviors you get from bettas in larger tanks discussed. She used the whole tank, patrolled and explored constantly, and it was very clear that compared to the neons, who were often just vibing, most of her actions were performed with some sort of deliberate purpose. I felt almost guilty transferring her into her current 6.4 gallon tank, though it's heavily planted and has shrimp for her to pick at.

My generic "I fucking love betta fish" answer aside, my favorite fish tend to end up being loaches! I have java loaches in my community tank, which are hilarious, active noodles, and my favorite loaches are reticulated hillstream loaches.

They're very pretty: aside from the pattern, they look like tiny little manta rays, and they spend a lot of time sticking to the side of the glass and to smooth rocks. I've got three (soon to be four when I take my friend's extra when he moves) and they're very peaceful fish that do well in a large range of temperatures. Watching them flap at each other or sift sand is always really fun.

[a-deed-without-a-name]

can you tell us about your aquarium

This is the best ask I have ever received. I hope you know the gates of Heaven have opened for you and only you, Anon.

Short answer: this is it.

Long answer under the cut. Very long, 'cause it's my birthday weekend and my gift to myself is I'm gonna gush about my stupid tank.

This is the smallest tank I've had in years - a 3.6 gallon Fluval. It absolutely counts as a nano tank, which has been both a challenge and a relief.

(My last tank - which I had to get rid of years ago, the last time I moved - was a 40-gallon that mainly featured very dumb dojo loaches and destructively horny oranda goldfish. I miss them every single day but when I surrendered them to my local fish store, the 90-year-old proprietor told me very approvingly that it's very rare for orandas to breed and dojo loaches usually don't get as big as mine did, so that helped soothe the sting a little.)

This one's technically a betta tank, but I'm still split on if I'm ever gonna put a betta in it. The literature on how much room is humane is split and it's really the luck of the draw if your fish will tolerate the inverts or harass them to death.

For now, it's just neocaridina shrimp (mostly red rilis, although a lovely orange lad and a blue juvenile snuck in there and I'm looking to get a few more color morphs), bladder snails, a ramshorn named Guts, and plants. I did not actually buy any of the snails, which is a quintessential aquarium-owner experience.

I've been working on this tank for a few months now. It's my first heavily-planted one, and it went through a few stages.

First off: I fell for a carpet seed scam.

Yeah. I know. I should've done more research. On the plus side, I got very, very lucky and wound up with something that can actually grow immersed (some kind of hygrophila, I'm 99% sure). For now, at least, it's eating all my ammonia, so yay, and I'm watching it and my water parameters like a hawk to make sure I can go full teardown at the first sign of melting.

(If I were smart and hard-working, I'd've taken everything out and redone it all soon as I figured out what a colossal fuck-up I'd committed, but I am me, so we're waiting, watching, and taking baby steps towards un-FUBARing the tank.)

But the java moss and tiger lotus, at least, are real plants, and they're doing great.

Had a few issues with the neos, but they've stabilized.

And I just recently rescaped the entire tank! Including adding in some more plant variety and tearing out ~60% of the hygrophila (yes, I disposed of it safely, I'm not going to be the reason that shit winds up in the Colorado River).

The goal is eventually to remove all of it, but for now, what's left can stay; the animals like it and I don't want to stress them out anymore.

They seem to be doing great since the rescape; much more active now that the tank has some different environments for them to explore. They love their cobblestone path.

I've got a good male/female ratio on the neos, lots of wee baby bugs swimming around, and my girls keep getting knocked up!

Harlot.

(Ignore the tweezers. Long story. And the discoloration on the hygrophila; after rigorous water testing and pinching and poking the leaves a whole bunch, seems like its ugly ass just Looks Like That. So glad my dad bought those stupid seeds.)

And that's my aquarium. I've got a little bit of duckweed in there that's not growing as fast as I'd like, and my tiger lotus does not seem inclined to make lilypads any time soon, so I'm planning on getting some water spangles for aesthetics and also shrimp thrills.

I might post some more photos once the spangles are here and I've picked up a few more shrimp colors from my LFS - I don't want everyone to be brown in a few generations, but. Some more diversity would be cool, I think.

[bathypelagicbutch]

1. get a large aquarium and filtration system

2. add oak branches

3. add java and sphagnum moss

4. add other semi-aquatic plants

5. add varying sizes of lava rocks to create a unique paludarium-like land/water divide

6. fill halfway with water

7. add a kuhli loach

8. add a kuhli loach

9. add a kuhli loach

10. add a kuhli loach

11. add a kuhli loach

12. add a kuhli loach

13. add a kuhli loach

14. add a kuhli loach

15. add a kuhli loach

16. add a kuhli loach

17. add a kuhli loach

18. add a kuhli loach

19. add a kuhli loach

20. add a kuhli loach

21. add a kuhli loach

22. add a kuhli loach

23. add a kuhli loach

24. add a kuhli loach

25. add a kuhli loach

26. add a kuhli loach

27. add a kuhli loach

28. add a kuhli loach

29. add a kuhli loach

30. add a kuhli loach

31. add a kuhli loach

32. add a kuhli loach

33. add a kuhli loach

34. add a kuhli loach

35. add a kuhli loach

36. add a kuhli loach

37. add a kuhli loach

[bluevelvetshrimpsplashyfish]

Blue Velvet Shrimp Care Guide: The Ultimate Aquarist’s Handbook

If you're looking for a stunning and low-maintenance addition to your freshwater aquarium, Blue Velvet Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. Blue) are a fantastic choice. With their vibrant blue color and peaceful nature, these shrimp make an excellent addition to nano tanks and planted aquariums. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced shrimp keeper, this guide will cover everything you need to know to keep your Blue Velvet Shrimp happy, healthy, and thriving.

Setting Up the Perfect Tank for Blue Velvet Shrimp

Creating a stable and shrimp-friendly environment is key to their success. Here’s what you need:

Tank Requirements

Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons (larger tanks offer better stability)

Substrate: Dark substrate enhances their blue color and supports plant growth

Filtration: A sponge filter is ideal as it provides biological filtration without harming baby shrimp

Live Plants & Hiding Spots: Java Moss, Anubias, and Cholla Wood create safe spaces and promote biofilm growth

Lighting: Moderate lighting helps plants grow but shouldn’t be too harsh

Water Parameters

Temperature: 68-78°F (20-26°C)

pH: 6.5-7.5

GH (General Hardness): 4-8

KH (Carbonate Hardness): 1-4

Ammonia & Nitrites: 0 ppm (even small amounts can be deadly)

Nitrates: Below 20 ppm (regular water changes help control this)

Maintaining consistent water parameters is critical. Fluctuations in temperature, pH, or water hardness can stress your shrimp, leading to health issues.

Feeding Blue Velvet Shrimp: What’s on the Menu?

Blue Velvet Shrimp are natural scavengers, constantly foraging for food. A varied diet keeps them healthy and enhances their color.

✅ Primary Foods:

Biofilm and algae (natural food source in the tank)

High-quality shrimp pellets with essential minerals

Blanched vegetables like spinach, zucchini, and cucumber

✅ Supplementary Foods:

Protein-rich treats (frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, or bloodworms)

Specialized shrimp foods that promote color and shell health

Indian almond leaves (provide natural tannins and biofilm growth)

❌ Avoid Overfeeding: Uneaten food can pollute the water and lead to ammonia spikes. Feed small portions once a day and remove any leftovers within a few hours.

Best Tank Mates for Blue Velvet Shrimp

Since Blue Velvet Shrimp are small and peaceful, they should only be kept with compatible tank mates.

✔️ Safe Tank Mates:

Other Neocaridina shrimp (Cherry, Yellow, or Orange Shrimp)

Small, peaceful fish like Ember Tetras, Chili Rasboras, and Endler’s Livebearers

Non-aggressive snails like Nerite Snails or Mystery Snails

🚫 Avoid These Tank Mates:

Cichlids, Bettas, and larger fish (they may see shrimp as food)

Aggressive species like Barbs or Tiger Loaches

Crayfish, which may hunt or injure shrimp

For the best results, a shrimp-only tank or one with carefully chosen peaceful tank mates will help your colony flourish.

Breeding Blue Velvet Shrimp: A Rewarding Experience

Breeding Blue Velvet Shrimp is easy if you provide stable conditions and a healthy diet.

🔹 Mating & Egg Development:

Once mature, females develop a saddle (visible eggs inside their body).

After mating, the female carries eggs under her abdomen for about 3-4 weeks.

The eggs hatch into tiny shrimplets, which feed on biofilm and microalgae.

🔹 Tips for Successful Breeding:

Keep water conditions stable and free from predators.

Avoid crossbreeding with other Neocaridina varieties if you want to maintain the blue coloration.

Offer baby shrimp powdered food or crushed flakes to ensure they get enough nutrition.

With minimal effort, a thriving Blue Velvet Shrimp colony will naturally expand in your tank.

Common Health Issues & Troubleshooting

Even though Blue Velvet Shrimp are hardy, they can face health problems if their environment is not properly maintained.

🦐 Molting Issues – If shrimp struggle to molt, they may lack calcium. Add mineral supplements or cuttlebone to their diet.

🦐 Fading Color – A poor diet, stress, or low-quality water can dull their blue hue. Provide a varied diet and check water parameters regularly.

🦐 Sudden Deaths – Copper is toxic to shrimp. Always check that medications, fertilizers, and water sources are copper-free.

Preventing these issues is easy with proper care, making Blue Velvet Shrimp one of the best beginner-friendly shrimp species.

Final Thoughts

With their vibrant blue color, active nature, and easy maintenance, Blue Velvet Shrimp are a fantastic addition to any freshwater tank. By providing a stable environment, a balanced diet, and suitable tank mates, you’ll enjoy a thriving colony for years to come.

Are you planning to add Blue Velvet Shrimp to your tank? Let us know your experiences in the comments below! 🦐💙

[deepinthedirt]

I'm just rly happy w and proud of my tank rn :)

Current residents:

Harlequin rasboras x10

Kuhli loaches x5

Ramshorn snails and cherry shrimp x?

Anubias nana

Java moss

Pennywort

Corkscrew val

Ludwigia repens

Dwarf water trumpet

Frogbit

Red root floater

Salvinia

Mystery plant my roommate stole from work

I recently upgraded from a 20 gallon to a 29 gallon and it's sooo nice the old one was rly crowded and there wasn't a lot of space for the fish, cause I originally designed the tank around primarily shrimp. I think in a couple weeks I'm gonna add more rasboras now that there's finally more open water for them to swim.

[gey-beans]

I don't want to bother people about my tanks and stuff so I'll post my boring updates here as if it were a diary. Ignore this, it's a conglomerate of jumbled thoughts

Hoping to get my kuhli loaches this weekend. That tank is still cycling, but 3/4 of my tanks are at PH 8 or above, so I gotta figure that out too. Normal ammonia for all, normal nitrates for all, and nitrite was the highest I've ever seen in my cycling tank lol. I recently added plants and driftwood so hopefully that should help. Might need to get some more driftwood though... I don't like adding too many chemicals and would rather use tannins to help my tanks than some chemical.

I also moved my rasboras to my 55, which upon taking a closer look, ALL FIVE have cotton mouth. I noticed after I did a big water change, so hopefully that'll help. I think this week I'll get rid of the HOB filter on my 20 and switch it out for a sponge. Not only is it easier to manage, but it's much quieter.

An acquaintance I made online (by shipping him dead snails before I knew how to ship them) is sending me some platys and a bunch of Java moss. I'm super excited for that. I recently got rid of most of my mollys and kinda regret some of them. But it's too late now. I think their fate is to be oscar food 😔 oh well. I hope the new platys will eat from my hand like the mollys did. I might even get some other mollys with more color. There's only 3 in my 20 now

Since I removed my rasboras, my betta has been outside of his log more. I was nervous at first, but then realized he's outside it more because he doesn't need to socialize lol.

[shrimpapalooza]

They're all cuties!

[waterskies]

This tank is so dim because of the amount of vallisneria leaves at the surface. I keep debating on trimming it, but I don't like the look of trimmed Val. Also, it's crept up to the front of the tank again, lol

Of course, the endlers don't mind at all. It gives the babies somewhere to chill.

The loaches love to curl themselves in between the leaves, so the more the marrier for them.

The shrimp don't care at all though. As long as there is some yummy biofilm on it, then they're happy. Look at her pickin through the sand and detritus. So cute~

[itsdetachable]

Rare cryptid sighting!

Aka Java Loach

[prince-liest]

aquarium rescape!

So my aquarium was getting fairly overgrown in its current layout, so I decided to rescape the whole thing! Also, I'm going to be moving in July and took the opportunity to give away 6 of my kuhli loaches to someone with a nice 75 gallon tank so as not to worry about them later.

My main goals with the rescape were:

update the look to something more aesthetically pleasing to me

have a larger sandy area for the loaches to enjoy

have a dirted area without gravel covering it for the plants

have more open swimming space for the fish

get rid of my less healthy stem plants to cut down on maintenance time

Here's the result!

The water is still a little bit foggy because of the bacterial bloom that rescaping caused, but ammonia is sitting pretty at zero and I have high hopes that I haven't crashed the cycle.

The only stem plants I kept were the filigree mirio because it grows very quickly but doesn't get unhealthy at its bottoms as it does, and my moneywort, because it's a slightly slower-growing stem, I like the look of it a lot, and like the filigree mirio, it doesn't get as messy as the various rotalas and ludwigias.

I've made my mainstay plants my giant monster crypts, and did a lot of decorating with epiphytes like buce and a few types of anubias. Overall, I really like the way the forested bit balances with the empty space, and I can't wait for the plants to straighten out/grow in a little better!

Also, I expected the fish to be stressed out and hiding after such a big change, but they're all quite enjoying the new swimming space and have been out and about:

The tetras have been swimming around a lot.

The loaches are all enjoying the new rocks and sand! The rocks are seiryu stone.

Even Jin Ling, who is normally hard to get a photo of, has been exploring rather than hiding!

And all the shrimp are swimming alllll over the place.

Total fish count is 1 honey gourami, 3 hillstream loaches, 8 neon tetras, and 6 java loaches, plus shrimp and snails. Overall, I'm really pleased with the results! Excited to see how it looks in a couple of months.

And here's a final look at the old layout right before I took it down!

[roachsideblog]

Thanks for tagging me max! :3

1. I have two aquariums! One has java loaches, the other a handful of cardinal tetras (and two mystery fish who hitched a ride on some plants as eggs! No clue what they are but there haven't been any issues)

2. I have a scar on my face from falling down a hill while running for the school bus as a kid.

3. I work outside a lot and I collect stuff I find in the woods, so like. Bones, golf balls with fun patterns, funky rocks, fishing lures, etc. My desk is covered in trinkets.

I hate to end the chain but I'm not sure who to tag 😅 I don't know the most recent people who've interacted with me lol. So if any of my followers want to chime in, feel free <3

If you get this ask say 3 random facts about yourself(or not no pressure) and send to the last 7 people who interacted with your blog!

ookay

i wanted to be a shoe mender when i was little

i hate oranges

i have a HUGE sweet tooth

@someonewhogotanaccount @tastetherainbow290 @fish-ofishial123 @aylin-hijabi @loife1m @skeelly @mochamvgz

[chevko]

Dude, I had no idea that java and banded loaches are so DIFFERENT in terms of personality. Like. My java loaches are crazy hyper, like. almost batshit crazy. And shy, too. The banded loaches are just. chill? Like. I can commonly find at least one banded hanging out on top of the sponge filter scrounging for nibbles and they just explore kind of randomly without any shits to give.

Also, the java loaches do that weird racing thing in the corner of the tank??? And the bandeds just. don’t? I mean. They might race up the side of the tank, but it’s to perch in the floating moss. (They taught the javas how to do this because it never occurred to them to chill tf out for a minute.)