Shrimp Issue

W

Warhood

New member
(Before I start, I do not have any idea of if this is the right place to do this but I need to ask.)

Hello, so I am a relatively new to the salt water tanks. I have been keeping one established for about 4 months now, and have been working on adding everything I want to the tank (Fish, Coral, NonVerts). Currently, I am working on adding more clean up crew things to the tank and have been trying to get shrimp into the tank. The two specific shrimp I have been after were blood shrimp, and peppermint shrimp.

Early in the process, I added a very small Blood Shrimp to the tank and after about a month, it disappeared never to be seen from again. I think added a peppermint shrimp, and it disappeared within 24 hours. I then bought another peppermint shrimp and it has disappeared as well.

I talked to my store, and tested the water and we cannot figure out what is wrong with the tank and why my shrimp keep disappearing. I have looked for all of them in the rocks, and coral beds but I have found nothing.

The only thing I noticed was the last time I introduced the peppermint shrimp into the tank, and Yellow Tang and one of my Blue Damsels seemed to treat it rather aggressively. Would these two species of fish eat the peppermint shrimp? Is there any suggestions. I am worried about adding more shrimp to the tank at this point cause it is throwing good money after bad at this point.
 
kevin21 said:
Post exactly what is in your tank in terms of coral, crabs, snails etc.
Click to expand...

Tank is: 2 Damsels, 2 Clown fish, 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Royal Gamma Basslet for fish. For Coral is: Xenia, GSP, Two Monte's, A colony of Zoanathids, and some feather dusters (I think) and some other polyp(I think). For snails, I literally only got 4 Nassarius Snails that I added at the same time of the shrimp (Only seen 2 of them since they were added, but they hide in all the live sand I got)
 
If the shrimps are dying, or getting killed by any of the fish, the snails could be assisting the decaying process.

I’m wondering if what Larry is suggesting makes more sense. Possible you have a predator hitchiker that you do not know about living within the rock. Where did you get the rock from?
 
kevin21 said:
If the shrimps are dying, or getting killed by any of the fish, the snails could be assisting the decaying process.

I'm wondering if what Larry is suggesting makes more sense. Possible you have a predator hitchiker that you do not know about living within the rock. Where did you get the rock from?
Click to expand...

I got them from my local aquarium store. I do not think there was any hitchhiker in the rocks when I bought them. They were live rocks (I think) I bought dry. I can post a picture if that would help.
 
Kevin knew right away what I was thinking. If the rock was all dry when you got it, my thought of a Mantis shrimp hiding out is VERY unlikely. If it were the Florida live rock, a Mantis would be likely.
Out of your fish list, the only real mean fish you have are the Damsels.
 
DgenR8 said:
Kevin knew right away what I was thinking. If the rock was all dry when you got it, my thought of a Mantis shrimp hiding out is VERY unlikely. If it were the Florida live rock, a Mantis would be likely.
Out of your fish list, the only real mean fish you have are the Damsels.
Click to expand...

To be honest, 1 of the damsels is really passive, the other one is aggressive if you go near its home (It shares a rock with the Basslet). I saw it chase the last peppermint shrimp when it first came into the tank. I don't think the Damsel would be able to eat the shrimp though? The yellow tank though was bullying the last peppermint shrimp though.
 
I was also talking at one point to a friend who use to have a salt water tank. No like worm could kill it that could have been brought in on the Xenia rock I brought in right?
 
I mean the only predator worm I can think of that would is a bobbit worm. They live in the sand and burrow under rocks. It’s possible it hitchhiked on a coral but unlikely. I would have to assume your shrimp are dying and getting consumed by snails. Whether by other Fish or due to tank parameters. I would not add anymore and just monitor that tank for a couple of months. Adding additional coral is fine
 
kevin21 said:
I mean the only predator worm I can think of that would is a bobbit worm. They live in the sand and burrow under rocks. It's possible it hitchhiked on a coral but unlikely. I would have to assume your shrimp are dying and getting consumed by snails. Whether by other Fish or due to tank parameters. I would not add anymore and just monitor that tank for a couple of months. Adding additional coral is fine
Click to expand...

Thank yah, I was planning at this point at probably adding more rock (for hiding places) and then maybe a goby along with corals.
 
That may be your problem. For 35 gallons, which I believe is 30, because IM doesn’t make a 35g tank, you are way overstocked. That tang needs a 100g minimum tank. 2 clowns, 2 damsels, and the royal gramma would really be the most fish you should have. And that is a pretty aggressive stock list that could cause issues with each other over time. I would not doubt that bottled up aggression is causing your problems. Best thing you can do is return the tang to the LFS or post it up for sale here. That fish can be dangerous in a tank that small and you would also be doing the right thing by the Fish to get him to a tank he belongs.
 
kevin21 said:
That may be your problem. For 35 gallons, which I believe is 30, because IM doesn't make a 35g tank, you are way overstocked. That tang needs a 100g minimum tank. 2 clowns, 2 damsels, and the royal gramma would really be the most fish you should have. And that is a pretty aggressive stock list that could cause issues with each other over time. I would not doubt that bottled up aggression is causing your problems. Best thing you can do is return the tang to the LFS or post it up for sale here. That fish can be dangerous in a tank that small and you would also be doing the right thing by the Fish to get him to a tank he belongs.
Click to expand...

To be honest, I would not be surprised. I did not want it. Its very small right now, and I am hoping to upgrade to my bigger tank by the time it gets large enough. Its my mother's favorite fish though, I doubt she'll let me get rid of it. :(
 
Kevin is spot on. That tank is far too small for your fish list, the sore thumb is that yellow tang.
You are at a very important crossroad, Warhood. Do you do what's right for the animals in your care, or do you decide that you're a rebel, and you'll do as you wish without regard for your animals.
You can stop adding shrimp and mask the problem you thought you had, or remove that fish from the improper environment he's in, and likely solve the problem you have.
 
^^Agreed ^^. Shouldn't be concerned with what your mothers favorite fish is. Really need to do whats best for the fish and overall for your tank environment.
 
Alright. First off thank you for helping me guys, and shedding light on this. This really did help even if I did not want to hear it. After talking with my mother, I really have 3 options:

1) Let it rock until I can afford a new 100-125 gallon tank. (Worst Option)
2) Find a used tank in the area and fix it up, keeping the Tang until I move and put it in the new tank as soon as I do (which will be at the beginning of the year). I have seen two right now in the area 75/86 gallons respectably, would those be able to hold the Tang without it freaking out?
3) Sell back the Tang to the shop, at which point I would buy a Watchmen Goby and Pistol Shrimp Combo.

I am really leaning towards #3, would the tank be able to do the Goby/Shrimp without overfilling the tank again? I also would want to add an anonome and a medium size Blood Shrimp. Would that be doable you think?
 
Number 3 really is the only/smart option in my opinion. Rushing into a 120 or 125 is not going to end up working out well.

You are pretty stocked, but a goby/pistol would be okay I think. Not sure if any of our LfS gives credits, so you may need to try and sell the tang locally.
 
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