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So finally after a year trying to get some Opae ulas here they are, it was pretty much impossible to find this shrimps here in The Canary Islands but I find a home breeder in Spain who have been keeping and breeding them succesfully so I didnt think about it and buy some of his shrimp, lucky for me because he not have a great numbers since have only one small tank of Halocaridinas. After a 4 days shipping they arrived the last friday 26 Oct, all the 13 shrimp were fine and I aclimate them by dripping about 2 hours to equiparate parameters. The tank its very simple: a 20l (5,3gal) tank with fine black volcanic gravel, a very cheap opcion since we are a volcanic archipielago just like Hawai, I will put some big volcanic rocks soon. The water source its maybe not the most orthodox way by mixing sea water from the Atlantic ocean and tap water around 1/1.5 proportion but I didnt find sintetic salt. I put some macroalgae also with some species that are known to handle brackish conditions like Ulva rigida, Chaetomorpha linum, Aegagropila linnei, Cladophora sp. Also some species of red algae and a brown algae like Cystoseira abies-marina that I will try to adapt to brackish water. But only small pieces of macroalgae and if I advise some dying parts I will remove them to keep the water quality. The Shrimp are doing pretty good for now and like to hang out in the algae. Sorry but the photos are not the best with my cellphone

Welcome to the club!

Which fine black volcanic gravel do you use? Is it a brand?

The Canary Islands look amazing. Sadly I haven't been there yet.

Welcome to the forum! Its great to see happy shrimps If you need any help just put up some questions and we will help answer them.

Thanks, I've been reading the forum for a long time its very helpful and have a lot of information, now I want to participate also and post my Opaes. The volcanic sand its not from any brand or special for aquariums, just plain volcanic gravel that you can buy anywere here very cheap since its from local quarrys, This sand its used in construction, gardening, all kind of stuff here. I use this particular gravel in other aquariums with shrimps and invertebrates and its totally safe

I use a lava rock substrate and the shrimp love it, thanks for sharing the photos.


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The shrimp were pretty inactive the first week, and stay in a corner of the tank, but nothing that I didnt expect after a long shipping and a lot of stress. Now they are very active, use all the aquarium and look very comfortable. I will not feed for now. The water its pristine, algae and biofilm on the surface of the water are starting to grow . The tank its totaly low tech without any filtration or aireation

Arnold wrote: ↑06 Nov 2018 22:21 The volcanic sand its not from any brand or special for aquariums, just plain volcanic gravel that you can buy anywere here very cheap since its from local quarrys, This sand its used in construction, gardening, all kind of stuff here. I use this particular gravel in other aquariums with shrimps and invertebrates and its totally safe

I see! This kind of finer lava gravel is difficult to get in Austria. Maybe I will set up my 2nd tank with this kind gravel... if I can get it.

Nice tank. I like the curved front glass.

Mixing ocean water works but don't hear it that often. =)

Let us know if those plants work in the long run.

Algae in the space, sure you can find good substrates there, the volcanic lava its not indispensable a black quartz gravel will work as well, awesome to know that you are from Austria what a great country and lots of mountains jeje

Opae ula related, thanks, I had see a lot of your videos in yt; you have really good videos my friend, I think you havent make an update since 2 months I hope new videos soon! Regards from the Canary islands

Arnold wrote: ↑08 Nov 2018 12:00 Algae in the space, sure you can find good substrates there, the volcanic lava its not indispensable a black quartz gravel will work as well, awesome to know that you are from Austria what a great country and lots of mountains jeje

Opae ula related, thanks, I had see a lot of your videos in yt; you have really good videos my friend, I think you havent make an update since 2 months I hope new videos soon! Regards from the Canary islands

Well sure but I have pure lava gravel and it is a bit "coarse" so my dream would be a finer gravel if I might use it. I found a good one on amazon but only on the US site.


Yeah mountains we have