Shrimp getting killed off

[SushiGirl]

I had a peppermint that killed every other peppermint shrimp as they molted, even got vid of it. Maybe your peppermint is taking advantage.

 

[muppet]

Well, all I caught last night was a stressed out peppermint shrimp, a very perplexed emerald mithrax (he perplexed ME too, how'd he fit in there?!), and every nassarius snail in the tank (it was quite crowded).

Either I don't have a baddie, he wasn't hungry, or he's just too smart.

Maybe the surviving peppermint got the other one. Maybe they fought over a hiding spot.

I guess I need to finish adding my LR before I add shrimp.

 

[TripleT]

How are you acclimating them?

What are all of your water parameters? Have you double checked these with your LFS?

What is your water change routine/frequency?

A QT tank is a must in this hobby. And in this case, you'd also be able to rule out a predator.

 

[muppet]

My parameters (with fresh Seachem tests and a hydrometer):

SG: 1.023
Ammonia: 0.0
Nitrites: 0.0
Nitrates: 0.0
pH: 8.1
Temp: 76-78F
kH: 180

I acclimate over about 30 minutes by keeping the animals in a large container half filled with the water they came in and add maybe an ounce of tank water every 3 minutes. I don't have a drip setup and I'm not sure how to build one.

 

[TripleT]

My parameters (with fresh Seachem tests and a hydrometer):

SG: 1.023
Ammonia: 0.0
Nitrites: 0.0
Nitrates: 0.0
pH: 8.1
Temp: 76-78F
kH: 180

I acclimate over about 30 minutes by keeping the animals in a large container half filled with the water they came in and add maybe an ounce of tank water every 3 minutes. I don't have a drip setup and I'm not sure how to build one.

Double check your salinity with your LFS. Invest in a refractometer. Now is a good time to buy one, considering holiday specials.

Don't let your salinity fall below 1.023. Hopefully your hydrometer is somewhat accurate.

I would also test the salinity and PH of the water the shrimp come home in. Make sure these are not far off of your tank's readings. The greater the difference, the longer I would drip acclimate.

Drip acclimate for at least an hour. All you need is a few feet of 1/4 inch tubing, with a knot tied in it to slow the drip. Stick one end in your tank, "sip" on the other end to start a siphon into a $2 Home Depot bucket.

While you are setting up the bucket/siphon, float the bagged shrimp in your tank to get it back up to temperature after the drive home.

Purchase a very small heater for the bucket, and plug it in as soon as it is submersed.

The goal of course is to minimize quick changes in temp, salinity, and ph.

Make sure the bucket is rinsed, and only used for tank purposes.

A couple of small pieces of PVC for hiding will help reduce stress during drip acclimation.

 

[muppet]

There's recently been a slew of posts on RC about drip acclimating and how it shouldn't be done for more than 30 minutes or the animals (particularly fish) can die of ammonia poisoning.

I've had the SG verified by the LFS. My hydrometer is apparently very accurate. A refractometer and TDS meter are on my shopping list for the new year.

I dunno how big the bags are that YOU get from the LFS, but no shrimp or fish is gonna be able to swim in the amount of LFS water I get with a purchase if I put it in the bottom of a $2 Home Depot 5 gallon bucket.... ;-)

 

[TripleT]

There's recently been a slew of posts on RC about drip acclimating and how it shouldn't be done for more than 30 minutes or the animals (particularly fish) can die of ammonia poisoning.

Sounds like a discussion about animals shipped directly to your house. That shipping water can become toxic, and getting the fish out of it quickly can be the lesser evil.

I've had the SG verified by the LFS. My hydrometer is apparently very accurate.

Excellent... rules out salinity.

I dunno how big the bags are that YOU get from the LFS, but no shrimp or fish is gonna be able to swim in the amount of LFS water I get with a purchase if I put it in the bottom of a $2 Home Depot 5 gallon bucket.... ;-)

You mentioned that you use a large container. I figured a 5 gallon bucket was smaller than what you were already using. Even so, a 5 gallon bucket is a good size in my experience.

I would request that the LFS use a larger bag, and include more water, especially for inverts. My LFS uses different sized bags, and some are actually quite large. I may be spoiled by my LFS, who I have a lot of respect for.

As long as a fish is not laying on its side because the water is so low, it is enough water. What's more important is surface area for oxygen exchange during acclimation.

And if the LFS skimps on water, tilt the bucket initially to provide a little more depth.