Freshwater Shrimps

[Bouncytigger]

I noticed over the last few days some freshwater shrimps in my garden pond.

My main pond is about three years old now and this is the first year that i have noticed them.
Quite a sight when they stretch out and swim at a fair old pace

I almost choked on my tea on the patio yesterday as i wondered what was travelling at such speed through the suprisingly clear water for this time of year!

Make the most of it i thought

Before the duckweed takes hold

[MarkyPooPoo]

Have you any idea how they got there? because I'm sure they can't fly.

Have you bought any new plants or introduced anyhing into the pond recently?.

I remember when I was a kid I used to catch them in the streams in the woods at the back of our house. Great fun.

Never mind though they will be good food for the fish.

[NicolaB]

I suspect they've come in as microscopic larvae attached to a plant. They're a good indicator that your pond is clean and nicely oxygenated though

[Bouncytigger]

Originally Posted by MarkyPooPoo

Have you any idea how they got there? because I'm sure they can't fly.

Have you bought any new plants or introduced anyhing into the pond recently?.

I remember when I was a kid I used to catch them in the streams in the woods at the back of our house. Great fun.

Never mind though they will be good food for the fish.

LOL

Well yes i have bought quite a few plants online from water garden centres and a few from garden centre myself so that must be how they got there.

the water is as clear as a bell at the minute

This time last year had they been there i would never have seen them for green slime and all manner of murkiness

[meinchewster]

Originally Posted by NicolaB

I suspect they've come in as microscopic larvae attached to a plant. They're a good indicator that your pond is clean and nicely oxygenated though

to some extent, although out of the many aquatic inverts, gammarus and asellus are quite tolerant of low oxygen levels and pollution.

They are a good addition to the pond and will provide food for many (hopefully not fish though ).