Missing Ghost Shrimp

[macphyter]

   I have a 20 gallon tank about 6 weeks old, populated with 1 dwarf gourami, 3 red wag platys, 6 neon tetras, and in the beginning I put in 8 ghost shrimp.  The ghost shrimp seemed to hide a lot, except for feeding time.  Now I think some are missing.  During feeding I only see 2 or 3 of them.  I've read a little about tetras eating shrimp...  is it possible that my shrimp are being eaten?  The neon tetras are so small that they even seem to ignore the larger food flakes and just eat the smaller ones.  How would they eat the shrimp?   
 

 

[l_l_l]

They would not.
The only time they'd eat them, is if they are already dying.
Ghost shrimp are masters at disguising.

 

[Gizaroo2]

It's possible as well that another ghostie killed and ate him. They can be aggressive towards each other. I also wouldn't put it past the Dwarf Gourami to kill and eat him, since they are predators after all.

 

[l_l_l]

I agree about the dwarf gourami eating shrimp.
My betta ate shrimp a few times already, and it's smaller than a dwarf gourami

 

[macphyter]

It would make more sense that the Dwarf Gourami is eating them, since he is much larger.  I've been feeding them once a day, sometimes twice.  Are the shrimp more likely to get eaten if the fish are not getting fed enough?

 

[Ch4rlie]

+1 for DG having a go at shrimps.
 
Regardless if fish are well fed or not, i believe they would still go for the shrimps anyway  

 

[Gizaroo2]

+1 to the above. Being predators, it doesn't always matter if they are well fed or not. Movement can trigger a killing, and they can and often will over indulge. Sadly, once they (whatever fish it is) gets a taste for shrimp, it often won't be the only shrimp you lose. haha Shrimp are quite appealing and tasty to them.

 

[l_l_l]

Shrimp are bottom of the food chain, you are taking a risk in putting them in the same tank than larger fish.
You must be prepared of losing some of them to your fish.
I've found my fish to eat everything, even when they are not hungry.
You should see them having a go at sinking wafers! XD

 

[macphyter]

  Wow, I had no idea that the DG would eat shrimp.  They are bigger than his mouth, so I would love to see how that happens.  I've noticed some shrimp exoskeleton lying on the bottom, and I just figured that it was from molting.  Maybe its actually leftovers.   Seriously, I would love to watch that, but I've got two rock caves, and he probably ambushes them inside the cave.

 

[l_l_l]

To answer your question, the exoskeletons might be their moult, but as they moult they also have a softer shell, making it easier for others to prey on them.
Your DG most likely had a go at this time, by harassing the shrimp until it dies.
I've watched my betta trying to eat big shrimp and he's quite scary and chases them until they reach the Java moss and hide.

 

[macphyter]

Well, now its official.  The shrimp are all gone!  I usually see 2 or three during feeding time, but a few days ago I was only seeing one during feeding.  Now, I'm not seeing any come out during feeding time, so I'm thinking they're all gone now.  That pesky Dwarf Gourami must be snagging them when I'm not looking.