peppermint shrimp

[bunkerboy]

The peppermint shrimp died after one week? I assumed that he would eat any flake food that floated to the bottom, maybe i did not feed enough? All water parameters are perfect. Fully cycled. Only thing in tank is live rock, two red scallops, one clown, and some algae. Bunker

 

[Mr.Marls]

Bummer,

They just die somtimes. I never spot feed mine and they are all alive and doing well.
Probably why they are 3 for $20.

 

[justinl]

Sure it was actually the shrimps corpse and not just a molt? They can hide themselves pretty good.

btw, this is the mantis shrimp forum. but hey, we'll answer any of your questions anyways. =)

 

[bunkerboy]

No molt, i took the corpse back for a free one, but dont want to keep killing them. I use well water, not RO water.... but thinking about getting some... not sure if there are too many minerals... water is very alkaline, which is good for ph, but i am not sure for everything else. Bunker

 

[G.SMITHII]

mine dont eat flake food.

likes real dead flesh. squid, shrimp, crab, bloodworms, brine etc.

lil bastardo steals food from my corals, and always seems to know where my mantis is. they're pretty keen.

well water is very possibly your problem. do you know or have you tested the levels for metals, phosphates, and such?

wells can be absolutly saturated with all sorts of nasty stuff.

i'd suggest one of those RO machines at a local grocery. here its 5gal for $1.57. woth it in my opinion.

 

[bunkerboy]

I have not tested for phosphates or metals. A friend of mine has a RO system... i might have to bug him for some water... i do have a small amount of green algae, but not too much. I dont trust that grocery store bought RO water is truly RO water and not just out of the tap, or with a filters that have not been replaced in years. Bunker

 

[G.SMITHII]

yea. those tests will be important......

as far as the grocery RO, the one at the store close to me has a sticker that shows the last time it was serviced.

if your buddys got that system id most def. take advantage.

anythings gotta be better than well water.

 

[bunkerboy]

In my reef test kit is the phosphate test... i did it last night and it read the lowest color level there was. My current shrimp is doing okay for now. Will they eat flake food? I dont want to "overfeed the tank" but i dont want to underfeed also. Bunker