peppermint shrimp life expectancy?

[aquadonkey]

Hi guys - I just lost my third peppermint shrimp.
Are these guys short-lived, or am I doing something wrong?
Usual suspects seem innocent - params are good, no one aggressive in the tank...
Any thoughts?
Pretty bummed here.....

 

[aquadonkey]

PS - this shrimp had been in my tank for exactly one month.

 

[Krypt1979]

The peppermint shrimp has a lifespan of apporx 2 years, give or take a few months. So unless it was old already, I'd start doing some detective work.

Age Source:http://www.fishlore.com/profile-peppermintshrimp.htm

If this was your third one going down in a short time, I'd definitely be sure it wasn't a water quality issue. They can't tolerate high nitrates and if your iodine levels are low, it can cause molting issues which can lead to death. Also, when your introducing them, how are you acclimating them?

 

[shawna1972]

same here,I kept them for 3-4 weeks and one by one fell sideways out in the open in the sand bed! Dont know what I did wrong because I have an explosion of mysis.

 

[aww_419]

Any other shrimp tank mates?? I found that if you have a coral banded shrimp the life span of a 2 peppermint shrimp in the same tank is only a few short hours lol

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

Are you sure its dead, and you're not seeing the monthly molt? If not, I might run a polypad for any heavy metals you may have.

 

[daveml]

I've had one in my tank for about 7 months and I sometimes go a month or so without seeing it

 

[block head]

salinity swings and dumb luck were a factor for me. had a pair that breed like rabbits,also lost a few without a clear reason. inverts can be tricky in nano's. i wouldn't beat yourself up to much. the tank might be a little young still.

 

[aquadonkey]

Thanks guys for the replies.....
Shawna - right this is what happened here. Shrimp didn't eat for a few days, a little lethargic and then last night - on it's side on the sand bed.

Instead of pulling it out completely, I put it in a container hanging on the side (in case they go rigid when they molt?). Nothing happened and after an hour it was clear that the shrimp was dead and not in the middle of molting.

As for the other possible causes - no coral banded shrimp.
The salinity and ph shouldn't swing too much. The tank is 29g, but I also have a 15g sump, and I top-off twice a day. I also have the light on the fuge on only during the night to help stabilize ph.
I have a pistol shrimp (has shown no aggression whatsoever) who is doing well - has been in the tank for two months.
I lost two cleaners as well - one to a tank over-heat, and the other just plain mia.

Perhaps I'll check for metals as mr.maroonsalty suggests. I haven't done that, and always assumed it unnecessary since my snails are doing fine.
Do I take a water sample to the lfs? Or is there a kit I should buy?