Missing Shrimp

[PJGoblin]

Hi all

I have just put 20 red cherry shrimp in my 37 gallon tropical tank, trouble is I can only see 2-3 of them.
I have in my tank

20 silver tipped tetras
2 Corry's (small)
1 off 6" plec

I am sure none of these guys are eating them, cant find and bits of shrimp in the tank only full body shells.
The only other thing I can think of (and hope) that they are molting and all hinding......!

Would of thought I would be able to at least see more.

Question:

Are these tank mates OK with shrimp more so the 6" plec....?

Regards

PJGoblin

 

[Wills]

Your plec could be the culprit, but they could have just shed and gone into hiding.

An other thing to ask is if its a common plec, why do you have a 6 inch plec in a 37g tank? That puppy is going to get huge if its a common. Maybe think about swapping one out for a species that gets to 5-6 inch max at adult size.

Wills

 

[ashemely]

It's possible that your shrimp are in hiding, and not necessarily because they have molted. I find it very hard to believe 15 out of 20 shrimp are molting at the same time. When you added the shrimp to your tank, did the tetras try and nip any of the shrimp? If so, then the shrimp have learned it's best to stay in hiding to avoid getting harassed. However, they will also learn that they are too big for the tetras to actually eat them, and will start coming out more and getting more comfortable in their surroundings.

This experience happened to me when I added my red cherry shrimp to my tank of neon tetras. The shrimp were used to being in a tank all by themselves so when first added to the tank with the neons they were swimming all over the place. The neons thought they were food, and tried to eat a few of them, if not all of them, and I didn't see my cherries for a few days. Well, I saw them, but they were cleverly blending in to the pieces of bogwood I have in my tank. Now, though, they are back to swimming all over the tank and going wherever they please as they've learned the neons aren't really going to do any damage to them. And the neons have learned the shrimp are actually a bit too big for them to eat.

I say give it some more time for them to get comfortable and they should come out more.

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

I can quite often not find my shrimp for days - after swearing at the pleco for a bit they turn up again! Got lots of java moss that they love to hide away in. Lil beggars. However, I'm trying to keep the plec busy with lots of different food as I'm sure he's had a couple! They also like to hide under the curved bogwood that the anubia is on

 

[PJGoblin]

Thanks guys maybe should be a bit more patient and leave it a couple of days...?

I have seen the shrimp strolling past the pleco, doesn't seem fussed in them at all
although cant see what he gets up to at night.....!

Not sure if its him at all could be just me, will leave for awhile and see....

Going to sort plants out later, just bought some more and I have just got
some java moss to create java walled corner......

Cheers

PJGoblin