It's all about Shrimps!

During his recent workshop, Abhhisek Mallick gave an in-depth talk on the various shrimp species and their backgrounds, focusing on the primary four genera of shrimps: Caridina, Neocaridina, Paracaridina, and Atyopsis. He offered attendees valuable insights into the care and management of these species, particularly Caridina and Neocaridina shrimps. He provided detailed guidelines on water parameters, tank size, filtration systems, suitable plants, tank mates, and the process of cross-breeding. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining genetic purity in shrimp species through line breeding, particularly for Neocaridina shrimps.

One of the major takeaways from his presentation was the focus on the pitfalls associated with keeping Caridina shrimp, especially regarding their delicate water parameters and compatibility with other species. Abhhisek also provided a comprehensive guide on shrimp quarantine protocols, explaining the importance of isolating new arrivals to prevent the introduction of diseases into established tanks. He discussed common pests that affect shrimp tanks, such as snails, hydra, and planaria, and provided effective strategies for tackling these problems.

Abhhisek dedicated a substantial portion of his workshop to Indian shrimps, which are often overlooked in the global aquarium trade. He shared photographs of their natural habitats, water parameters, and practical tips for maintaining their well-being in captivity. Among the species discussed were Macrobrachium, Indian crabs, and even species of snails that have yet to be fully identified. He emphasized the importance of preserving these native species by providing a better understanding of their ecology and behavior, which is essential for their successful breeding and conservation in aquariums. He works with European Universities on documenting the same.

Abhhisek dedicated a substantial portion of his workshop to Indian shrimps, which are often overlooked in the global aquarium trade. He shared photographs of their natural habitats, water parameters, and practical tips for maintaining their well-being in captivity. Among the species discussed were Macrobrachium, Indian crabs, and even species of snails that have yet to be fully identified. He emphasized the importance of preserving these native species by providing a better understanding of their ecology and behavior, which is essential for their successful breeding and conservation in aquariums. He works with European Universities on documenting the same. 

In addition to shrimp, Abhhisek also addressed the care of dwarf crayfish, providing attendees with the dos and don'ts of keeping these species. He explained the importance of appropriate tank size, diet, and breeding practices. Furthermore, he discussed the care of larger crayfish species, which require different parameters due to their size and more aggressive behavior.

Thie workshop was facilitated by LSeT Foundation, Bengaluru.

Here's the video of the entire workshop...

Abhhisek Mallick, has over 14 years of extensive experience in ornamental shrimp keeping. Throughout his career, Abhhisek has become a prominent figure in the shrimp-keeping community, representing India in multiple international shrimp competitions. His expertise has also been recognized globally, as he served as a judge at the prestigious Shrimp World Cup in Germany, along with other notable national and international competitions.

In 2019, Abhhisek recognized a significant gap in the documentation of Indian crustacean knowledge, which inspired him to begin an extensive study of their habitats and water parameters like TDS, GH, KH, Ph, DO (Dissolved Oxygen), Nitrate, Nitrite. Through years of dedicated research, he has documented nearly 90% of the Indian ornamental shrimp habitats. He plans to complete the remaining 10% soon. His findings have been published in prominent international magazines such as PFK and Caridina Magazine. Additionally, he presented a research paper on Indian native crustaceans at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, further solidifying his position as an expert in the field.

Abhhisek Mallick can be reached on his social media handles:

https://www.facebook.com/bluevaleaquatic
https://www.instagram.com/bluevalepetcare/

The Weekend Aquarist thanks Abhhisek Mallick for sharing details about his workshop, enriched by the photographs clicked by him. We wish him all the very best for the future and look forward to many more contributions from him.