How to care for Opae Ula guide

🐚 Opae ʻUla Shrimp Care Guide

The Ultimate Low-Maintenance Pet

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🧬 What Are Opae ʻUla?

Opae ʻUla (Halocaridina rubra) are tiny, bright red brackish-water shrimp native to Hawaiian anchialine pools. Hardy and long-lived, they thrive in low-maintenance environments—some live over 20 years without feeding or filtration.

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🏝️ Ideal Tank Setup

Parameter Recommended Range
Tank Size 1 quart – 5 gallons or more
Salinity SG 1.010 – 1.014 (marine salt only)
pH 7.5 – 8.5
Temperature 68 – 80°F (no heater required)
Lighting Low light or indirect sunlight
Substrate Black sand, crushed coral, or lava rocks
Filter Optional (gentle sponge filter if used)

✅ Tip: Let your tank cycle for at least 2–4 weeks before adding shrimp.

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🍃 Feeding

Opae ʻUla primarily feed on naturally growing algae and biofilm.
• No feeding is necessary in a healthy tank with algae.
• If needed, add a tiny pinch of spirulina or an algae wafer once every 2–4 weeks.
• NEVER overfeed – uneaten food can harm water quality.

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💧 Water Maintenance

These shrimp prefer stability over frequent changes:
• Top off water lost to evaporation with distilled or RO water (do not add salt again when topping off).
• Avoid full water changes unless necessary. If you must:
• Change only 10–20% every 6–12 months
• Always match temperature and salinity

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🦐 Behavior & Breeding
• Peaceful, slow-moving grazers.
• Live in small groups—5–10 shrimp per gallon is ideal.
• Females may carry eggs (called “berried”) for ~4 weeks.
• Babies are planktonic larvae that float before settling.

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❌ Common Mistakes

Mistake Why It’s a Problem
Using tap water Chlorine can kill shrimp
Feeding too often Can cause ammonia spike & tank crash
Keeping too many shrimp Leads to overcrowding and instability
Not cycling the tank No biofilm = no food or filtration
Sudden temperature changes Causes shock or stress

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📌 Care Summary Checklist

✔️ Stable brackish water (SG 1.010–1.014)
✔️ Plenty of natural algae/biofilm
✔️ Minimal or no feeding
✔️ No water changes (just top-offs)
✔️ No direct sunlight or heat sources
✔️ Low flow, low disturbance environment
✔️ Container size: 1 qt to 5 gal or more

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📷 Bonus: Photo-Friendly Ecosphere Tips
• Place near a window with indirect light to promote algae.
• Use a clear container (glass orb or jar) for visibility.
• Add lava rocks and moss balls for a natural look and filtration boost.