Local shrimp

[pmk00001]

I also keep local grass shrimp in my tanks. They get eaten after awhile but they usually hang around for a few months. They can be superabundant in the right places.

[Ltrepeter2000]

Where do you find these guys locally?

[pmk00001]

They are pretty much everywhere on the coastal plain, they are super abundant in tidal water but you can find them in almost pure freshwater as well, similar to mummichogs. In my experience the ones from freshwater seem to do better. Though I do put a little salt in my community tank (less sensitive plants species) and they seem to do even better with that.

So the short answer is, anywhere in the Potomac from DC to the mouth. Almost all of the connecting rivers and streams to the Chesapeake below the fall line, and you can usually find them above the first dam of a tidal river, where they've adapted to freshwater.

I put about 80 in my 75 gallon last weekend, I'd guess about half got eaten but the rest seem to have found the good hiding places. I've got 20 or so in with my bluespotted sunfish, they don't mess with them until they molt.

[JMLenke]

So the ones in the Anacostia are probably the best to get?

Assuming you want 200 legged multiheaded shrimp

[maddog10]

I have caught grass shrimp by the 100's in a creek right off the Chesapeake Bay. Throw an old Christmas tree in an area (tie it off somehow), let it sit for a while, go back and pull the tree then run a small dip net through the area the tree used to occupy. Lots of bait, I mean shrimp!