Do Shrimp Need a Heater? (Solved!)

It’s common to hear that shrimp need a heater. Especially if you’re a beginner, fish retailers might convince you that a heater is a must. However, do shrimp need a heater in all cases?

No, a heater isn’t always necessary in shrimp tanks. You don’t need a heater in your shrimp tank if you can keep your room at a reasonable temperature.

For most Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp, the temperature has to be at least 62°F. However, a heater might be helpful while raising shrimp.

Keep on reading to find out if a heater is a suitable choice for your tank.

Does Water Temperature Matter in a Shrimp Tank?

The temperature of the water affects shrimp in various ways. The water needs to be warm for the growth of shrimp.

However, temperatures that are too warm can put them under stress.

Heaters can maintain a constant water temperature or minimize temperature variance (which is especially crucial after water changes). Shrimp live longer because of the stress reduction.

Shrimp’s metabolism is also boosted by warm water, making them healthier.

When the water temperature rises too much, shrimp metabolism speeds up. Increasing the stress on the shrimp’s internal organs will cause them to need more food.

Additionally, shrimp molting is aided by a consistent temperature in the water.

A frequent molting cycle can be caused by overheating the water, which causes the shrimp to develop more quickly. As a result, the shrimp’s stress levels will rise and they will not sustain their molting cycle.

Shrimp can only reproduce in warm water. The problem is that if the water temperature is too high, they’ll generate more offspring than usual.

Shrimp don’t overpopulate when the water temperature is maintained at the right level. You’ll be able to regulate their reproductive cycle this way.

What Temperature Do Shrimp Need?

The ideal temperature for your shrimp depends on the species.

Here’s a table of the ideal temperature based on the type of shrimp you have.

How Do You Heat Up a Shrimp Tank?

Depending on the species and the goals of your aquarium, you can try to maintain the room temperature as constant as possible or get a heater.

Some species will be fine with the room temperature and thrive. However, if you want to breed your shrimp, a heater would be more efficient.

Do You Need a Heater for Shrimp?

If you can’t maintain a stable room temperature, a heater is an excellent addition to your aquarium.

And even though a heater is a great way to keep the shrimp tank’s water temperature steady and under control, it has some pros and cons.

Pros of Using a Shrimp Tank Heater

Pro #1. The tank’s temperature influences a shrimp’s whole life cycle. A warm water temperature aids their growth and reproduction. As a result, shrimp molting and breeding cycles might be disrupted if the water temperature is too hot. However, if the water is too cold, the algae’s development is halted.

Pro #2. Using a heater allows shrimp that are not native to the area to be kept by individuals who live in colder climates. You may use a heater to produce a shrimp-friendly environment, mimicking their natural habitat.

Pro #3. Shrimp’s reproductive cycle is influenced by the temperature of the aquarium water. You can raise the water temperature if you wish to encourage shrimp reproduction. Similarly, lowering the water’s temperature can help you manage their population.

Pros #4. Shrimp thrive well and remove waste in warm water provided by heaters. In good health, shrimp search the tank floor for decaying matter. They remove the decomposing organic matter from the tank, increasing the water quality and clearing the waste.

Cons of Using a Shrimp Tank Heater

Pro #1. Having to rely only on a heater to maintain water temperatures sufficient for shrimp life in a cold climate increases the risk of shrimp dying from dehydration. As a result, if the heater malfunctions or fails to provide the required water conditions, the shrimp may perish.

Pro #2. If your aquarium heater is mounted to the tank’s glass walls, it may detract from the tank’s visual appeal. In addition, if your tank is tiny, the aquatic residents may struggle to find enough room to swim around in.

Pro #3. Your aquarium’s price goes up because of this. Shrimp require a constant and warm water temperature to thrive; as a result, running the heater will be necessary to maintain a constant temperature. This has a direct impact on the aquarium’s monthly maintenance costs.

Different Types of Shrimp Tank Heaters

Submersible and Immersible Heaters

Immersible and Submersible heaters are the most prevalent kind of heaters.

Glass, plastic, or noncorrosive metal tubes are the most common materials used. Occasionally, they can be mistaken for one another.

Submersible heaters differ significantly from immersible heaters.

As opposed to an immersible heater, a submersible heater is totally watertight. The controls on the top of an immersible heater prevent it from being submerged completely.

Immersible heater controls must be kept above the water’s surface. You must always place an immersion heater vertically because of this.

On the other hand, you can install a submersible heater horizontally.

Because these heaters are so simple to install and control, they are typically the cheapest option. Because of this, I recommend submersible heaters over immersible ones.

Here are my recommended submersible heaters that you can buy:

• Orlushy Submersible Aquarium Heater
• Hygger Fast Heating Titanium Aquarium Heater

Substrate Heaters

Substrate heaters are heaters that may be buried in your aquarium’s substrate and used to keep the water temperature stable.

This heater’s most significant selling point is that it’s entirely out of sight.

It’s important to note that substrate heaters have a significant drawback in that you can’t access them if you need to modify them or if something goes wrong.

To gain access to your heater, you’ll have to remove a significant portion of your tank’s structure.

The iPower 8 by 12-inch Under Tank Heat Mat is a substrate heater that features a modern design.

Infrared Filter Heaters

An external filter can be equipped with a heater submerged in the water.

When it comes to aesthetics, the filter heater offers the advantages of both a substrate heater and an immersible heater.

The DaToo Aquarium External Heater is one heater that falls into this category and works really great.

In Summary

As mentioned before, if shrimp need a heater depends on the species and your goals with the aquarium.

Maintaining constant temperature and the right parameters are crucial to your shrimp’s survival, especially when you’re first introducing them to the tank. This is why I always recommend having a heater in your shrimp tank.

If you have a sensitive type of shrimp or you want to breed your shrimp and provide them with a longer life, a heater is a good option.