Do I need to add Iodine for Shrimps and Black Spots?

[LauraCline]

I've been reading but I'm still not sure. In the 45, I've got 2 scarlet cleaners and a Peppermint. I do weekly 5 gallon water changes which I know replenishes trace elements. There are no corals in the tank now and a ton of LR, do I need to dose or maybe step up the percentage water change for the shrimps? The larger Scarlet Cleaner and Peppermint molted within a day of each other after they had been in the tank for several weeks, that was about 2 weeks or so ago. I have only had the smaller of my cleaners since a couple of days after the other two molted but he seems to be growing so, I expect him to soon. Also, I noticed that my big scarlet cleaner has some black irregular patches on his back, is that normal or something to worry about? Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Gimplar]

black spots are kinda wierd... i have a 125gal reef with 2 cleaner shrimp and a few blood shrimp. I noticed that they tended to molt a little healthier with iodine suppliments, but i dont do water changes everyweek, but i do bi weekly water changes. I also use Oceanic Salt.

any soft corals will do better as well, cause my pulsating xenias were basically down to a ball of goop and only like 2 pulsing heads (not even a full stalk) before i started dosing Iodine and now there are atleast 12+ full large stalks (they made a rapid recovery) and you can ask anyone that has seen my tank that the xenias are doing great.

Just make sure you dont overdose with iodine as well and you can do that by obviously checking for parameters for iodine. I dont know what the normal range is, but i guess i was lucky and my doses are just about right. basically what im saying is to test your water before you start dosing anything. especially if you have a reef tank.

-Nelson

 

[ichthyman]

The black spots are a immune response to a break in the shrimp’s shell. These lesions can be brought about by physical damage, viruses, or prolonged exposure to poor water quality. Physical damage can be just about anything and should heal in time if the cause is not repetitive. If many spots are present then it could be a viral infection. Unfortunately, all you can do but isolate the affected one and see if it transfers to the others but there is no treatment and is often fatal. Poor water quality is exactly that. Fix the water and everything will be healthier.

 

[sinful]

how often do cleaner shrimp molt? normally?

 

[GlobaLPimP]

both of mine molt about every 2 to 3 weeks

 

[LauraCline]

Thanks guys, water quality seems fine (ammmonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 0, ph 8.2, temp at constant 80 degrees) and my other 2 shrimp seem fine so, I'm hoping it is something that will go away. The shrimp still eats and acts the same as he ever did. I'm also not having other issues that would indicate poor water quality such as algea outbreaks or things dying. I'm wondering if the aggressive gramma attacked him again, he is the one she bit the antennea off of. They came back the original length after he molted though.

 

[LauraCline]

I just wanted to update the thread. I guess it was some type of physical injury because he no longer has any spots on him. The other shrimps are still without any spots as well.

 

[Gimplar]

Cool thanks for the update, glad to hear that he pulled through!

 

[LauraCline]

Thanks Gimplar, I'm glad he's better too. To celebrate, I added a Fire Shrimp today, lol.