Possum Shrimps
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Mysis are distantly related to true shrimps and are an excellent food for small fishes. Alf Jacob Nilsen/Bioquatic Photo
[edit] Overview
Mysid shrimp are often abundant in a reef aquarium or refugium, although it takes a sharp eye to see them. Mysids make excellent food for small fishes; if they are in a refugium with access to the main tank, enough escapees make it into the tank to provide supplemental nutrition between scheduled feedings. They most often enter the aquarium with algae, such as Chaetomorpha, which forms dense mats of wirelike strands within which the mysids may be protected from predation.
Family: Mysidae
Other common name(s):
- Mysid Shrimps
Native range:
Maximum length: 30 cm (12 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 38 L (10 gal)
Lighting: Immaterial.
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
[edit] Feeding
They may be fed using phytoplankton.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Highly desirable as a self-replenishing live food source in reef aquariums.
[edit] Special Care
Because they feed on microalgae, their refugium needs enough light to allow algae to thrive.
[edit] Notes
Distantly related to true shrimps, mysids have a decidedly shrimplike shape and are largely transparent. They lack the thoracic walking legs seen in most shrimps and instead have slender paddlelike appendages.
| Common name | Possum Shrimps +, and Mysid Shrimps + |
| Family | Mysidae + |
| Genus | Mysis + |
| Image credit | AJN + |
| Lighting | Immaterial. + |
| Maximum length | 12 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 10 gal + |
| Native range | Tropical Seas + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Invertebrates + |
| Specific name | spp. + |
| Text credit | RLS + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |