Fireshrimp and hermits don't like sand!?

[Ukreeferguy2020]

Hi all. I've had hermits and fireshrimp in my tank for yonks now and all been fine and scampering all over the place. I have recently replaced gravel substrate for sand and none of them will touch it!! They just hide on the rocks.

I even removed the live rock as to force them to get used to it and man up but I just come home to find the hermits all in their shells and the fireshrimp standing on the hermits' back!!

Has anyone had this or know why? And more importantly, how to get them to enjoy the new beach I bought them.

Cheers. Steve.

 

[Aerosol]

What kind of sand? Did you check your water parameters? Is it possible the new sand caused a cycle, or released something into the water?

 

[Ukreeferguy2020]

Not live sand, dry sand from LFS. Fish aren't showing any different behaviour and water chemistry seems pretty normal and no different to before. I started to notice also some green algae appearing on the top of sand too which started accumulating bubbles. I put this down to the team not cleaning up the sand but not so sure now. Any thoughts?

 

[Aerosol]

Well, if there's nothing "wrong", then maybe they just feel like they're in a new tank, and need some time to adjust. How long ago did you put in the new sand? I would put all the rock back in, and just give them some time to get used to their "new" home.

 

[Ukreeferguy2020]

Thanks for your advice. I put the rock back in the next day. The sand was only in for about two days when I noticed they werent walking on it, so not long to adjust that all really. We'll see have a go. Just didn't know if anyone else had the same thing.