Cherry Shrimps Hide

[lexluth0r]

I bought x5 cherry shrimps a few weeks ago, two of them died within 48hrs and the others just vanished and I assumed they also died and the fish had eaten them but today I done a water change and took out the cocunut shell which is covered in Java moss only to find three small red shrimps under the shell. the thing is now the cocunut shell is back they have just vanished under it again. I have x8 Platys, x2 Gourami, x1 Sailfin Molly, x1 Siamese Algeae Eater.

Do you think the fish are scaring the shrimps as when I first put them in the tank the Platys went like Pirannahs but once they realise they couldn't eat them just left them but the shrimps just always hide, if I added more shrimps do you think they would have more condifence in venturing out.

 

[Gilli]

Shrimp are very sensitive to water quality. Cherry shrimp is one of the most hardy, and if they are dying in your tank, then there is something seriously wrong with your water. If your water quality is good with no ammonia or nitrite present (and im talking of testing with a proper liquid test kit not the paper strips which are useless) then it may be your temperture thats not right.Your tank should be fully cycled and mature.

Optimum Temperature: 25 to 27 degrees celcius. They Can tolerate up to 30 (but only with strong aeration and non-overcrowded density.)

If all this is as it should be, you may have just been unlucky to have some die - sometimes just the stress of being transferred to another tank can do it. shrimp are sometimes shy at first, but will venture out more as they settle - the more you keep the better as they feel safe in large numbers and you will see more of them.

Just a word of warning - some people think they are dead when infact all they have done is shed their skins which they will do on a regular basis as the shell cant grow with them so they constabtly need a new one. They will need plenty of places to hide when they do this as once they moult they are easy prey until their new shell hardens. You will know if your shrimp is dead as it will turn a pink colour like when you cook them! Discarded shells are a white/transparent colour So, if you see an empty shrimp shell, just leave it alone and it will be eaten back as a source of calcium.

 

[lexluth0r]

The tank has been cycled and have done the tests which indicate everything is fine, I will buy another x5 and see if this will give the others more confidence.

Thanks

 

[Gilli]

The only other thing I forgot to mention was never use any meds with the shrimp in the tank - it usually always contains copper which kills them! good luck!

 

[lexluth0r]

Maybe I won't be getting anymore shrimps the gourami just ate one of them.

 

[Gilli]

Maybe you should try amano shrimps. They are a lot larger - my gourami never touched them - infact none of my fish ever touched them