In any record-keeping endeavor — whether digital or physical — there is a fundamental principle of data safety: a record that exists in only one place is a record waiting to be lost. Just as a paper ledger can be damaged or a single set of tank labels can be accidentally erased, a digital log stored only on a single device is vulnerable to hardware failure or loss. The core of a reliable management system is ensuring that a copy of your records exists in a separate location from the original.
Privacy, local storage, and user responsibility
When we designed ShrimpNote, we deliberately chose a local-only database architecture. This means your breeding data, lineage records, and photos stay on your device rather than being uploaded to a corporate cloud server. While this provides a high level of privacy and ensures you aren’t tethered to a subscription to access your own data, it also shifts the responsibility for backups entirely to the keeper. Because there is no server-side copy of your data, the app cannot restore your records if your device is lost or reset unless you have manually created a backup elsewhere.
Why backups matter for selective breeding
For a selective shrimp breeder, data is often more than just a list of counts; it is a documented history of judgment. Years of accumulated grade evaluation history, specific lineage records, and the precise outcomes of breeding cycles are effectively irreplaceable. These records capture specific visual changes and events that memory alone cannot reconstruct months or years later. Maintaining a portable copy of this history ensures that your breeding legacy remains intact, even if your hardware changes.
Export options in ShrimpNote
To facilitate this portability, ShrimpNote provides two distinct export formats to suit different management needs:
| Export Format | Content Included | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| CSV Export | Text-based colony and individual shrimp data. | Best for reviewing records in a spreadsheet (like Excel) or performing your own data analysis. |
| ZIP Export | A full backup including the database, photos, and related logs. | Best for a complete system backup that can be used to restore the app to its current state. |
Importing and restoring records
The import function allows you to bring your records back into the app or migrate them to a new device. However, there are a few important technical and policy-based limitations to keep in mind:
- Compatibility: The app can only import CSV or ZIP files that were previously generated by ShrimpNote. It cannot interpret data formats from other general-purpose apps or spreadsheets.
- Free Plan Limits: For users on the free tier, the import process respects the standard registration limits. While the app will attempt to import your data, it will clamp the results at 5 colonies and 5 individual shrimp. Any records in the backup file exceeding these limits will not be imported.
Crucially, CSV/ZIP export and import are free features available to all users. We believe that data portability is a basic requirement for any serious record-keeping tool, and we do not gate the ability to save or move your own data behind a Pro purchase.
Download ShrimpNote on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shrimpnote/id6787893661
Managing your records with ShrimpNote
ShrimpNote is designed for keepers who value privacy and long-term data ownership.
- Free Version: Manage up to 5 colonies and 5 individual shrimp with full access to all recording, statistics, and data portability features.
- Pro Version (One-time purchase): Unlocks unlimited records for both colonies and shrimp, plus advanced branding controls for your share cards, including removing watermarks and adding a personal SNS handle.
Summary
Whether you prefer a handwritten notebook, a customized spreadsheet, or a dedicated app, the discipline of making a backup is the same. No single tool is immune to the risks of a single-copy system. By using the export tools available in ShrimpNote to periodically save a ZIP or CSV file to an external drive or a private cloud storage service, you ensure that your years of selective breeding effort are protected for the future.
For a broader look at how these records fit into a full recording system, see our hub article: Beyond the Tank Count: Managing Colony and Individual Records in Selective Shrimp Breeding
This article’s sources: Reconstructed by the editorial team from official sites, public information, and specialist media, from a recording and organizing perspective. Numeric, spec, and safety-related statements prioritize primary sources.
For guidance on live animal care and water quality management, please consult a specialist or your local aquarium shop.
This article organizes information from a recording and organizing perspective. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us. Last verified: August 2026
