Is Something Wrong?

[Morganna]

Hello! So, I have this 10 gallon shrimp only tank. Sponge filter, heated, low light, and cycled for over 6 months, added shrimp 4 months ago.
Anyway, parameters are all good, nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia all at zero.
I've just noticed this white stuff on the head of one of my Neocaridina shrimp, and I wanted to know if I should be concerned or not.
Sorry for the blurry pic, y'all know how hard it can be with shrimp. Also, please forgive the cloudy water, I'm still working on it.
Thanks!

 

[Slaphppy7]

Hard to tell from these pics...

 

[Morganna]

I know! I'm really sorry, I'll try and get better ones!
Its just a little bit of this white spiky stuff that looks like its coming out of it's head. I didn't know if it could be a parasite or something like that.
I'll try and take better pics later, I promise! Thanks for looking though.

 

[Colin_T]

Not sure but my money would be on epistylis and you can treat it with salt.

You can add rock salt (often sold as aquarium salt), swimming pool salt, or any non iodised salt (sodium chloride) to the aquarium at the dose rate of 1 heaped tablespoon per 20 litres of water. If there is no improvement after 48 hours you can double that dose rate so there is 2 heaped tablespoons of salt per 20 litres.

Keep the salt level like this for at least 2 weeks but no longer than 4 weeks otherwise kidney damage can occur. Kidney damage is more likely to occur in fish from soft water (tetras, Corydoras, angelfish, Bettas & gouramis, loaches) that are exposed to high levels of salt for an extended period of time, and is not an issue with livebearers, rainbowfish or other salt tolerant species.

The salt will not affect the beneficial filter bacteria, fish, plants, shrimp or snails.

After you use salt and the fish have recovered, you do a 10% water change each day for a week using only fresh water that has been dechlorinated. Then do a 20% water change each day for a week. Then you can do bigger water changes after that. This dilutes the salt out of the tank slowly so it doesn't harm the fish.

If you do water changes while using salt, you need to treat the new water with salt before adding it to the tank. This will keep the salt level stable in the tank and minimise stress on the fish.

When you first add salt, add the salt to a small bucket of tank water and dissolve the salt. Then slowly pour the salt water into the tank near the filter outlet. Add the salt over a couple of minutes.

 

[Morganna]

I'll think about trying that, thanks!
What is epistylis? A parasite?

Haven't been able to get more pictures yet because it's affecting only one shrimp, who is choosing not to show himself.
Thanks for the feedback and instructions!