Where shrimp go to die

[McArcher]

That would be my tank. Is there something specific to shrimp but not other crustaceans that is toxic? I have hermits, emerald crabs, copepods and amphipods galore and they all thrive. But every time I put a shrimp in my tank, it dies within days. I have had two pistol shrimp, one peppermint shrimp, and a cleaner shrimp and they all croaked.
Parameters:
Temp- 78-79
pH - 8.2-8.3
Alk - 9.0
Calc - 425
Mag - 1350
NO3 - 4-6
PO4 - .04
NH3 - 0.0

 

[Dr. Reef]

Are you acclimating them properly?
How do you know they are dead?
Where are you buying them?

 

[Adam Kuhn]

I had a similar issue with an RODI unit that was removing enough copper to be safe for most inhabitants but was killing some of my inverts. That was years ago, not sure if it’s related or if those shrimps are more susceptible than your other inverts. Tagging along. hopefully someone can help, that has to be frustrating.

 

[Mark Gray]

I had a similar issue with an RODI unit that was removing enough copper to be safe for most inhabitants but was killing some of my inverts. That was years ago, not sure if it’s related or if those shrimps are more susceptible than your other inverts. Tagging along. hopefully someone can help, that has to be frustrating.

I also had copper kill a shrimp I had kept for like 8m years when I broke his tank down my grandkids had put a penny in it

 

[Mark Gray]

Hum Acclimation and maybe Iodine

 

[McArcher]

Are you acclimating them properly?
How do you know they are dead?
Where are you buying them?

I drip acclimate for 45 mins to an hour with the bag floating in the sump to equalize the temp. I know the peppermint and cleaner shrimp are dead because I pulled their dead bodies out of the tank (and yes I know the difference between a molted shell and the actual shrimp). I knew the pistols were dead when their goby stopped hanging out in the rocks where the shrimp had been and started seeking shelter by himself. After this, I never saw the shrimp again. I have bought them from two different LFS, which is where I buy all of my other livestock, including crabs which are alive and well.

 

[cracker]

.

 

[McArcher]

Hum Acclimation and maybe Iodine

Hum acclimation?

 

[McArcher]

I had a similar issue with an RODI unit that was removing enough copper to be safe for most inhabitants but was killing some of my inverts. That was years ago, not sure if it’s related or if those shrimps are more susceptible than your other inverts. Tagging along. hopefully someone can help, that has to be frustrating.

Not discounting copper. I’ll test for it, but I would think amphipods and copepods would be at least as susceptible if not more than shrimp and my tank is loaded with both.

 

[Mark Gray]

Not discounting copper. I’ll test for it, but I would think amphipods and copepods would be at least as susceptible if not more than shrimp and my tank is loaded with both.

yes you are right this shrimp, I was talking about was moved to a 10 gallon by himself

 

[McArcher]

I had a similar issue with an RODI unit that was removing enough copper to be safe for most inhabitants but was killing some of my inverts. That was years ago, not sure if it’s related or if those shrimps are more susceptible than your other inverts. Tagging along. hopefully someone can help, that has to be frustrating.

Just did a copper test - 0 ppm

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

I hear shrimp are very sensitive during acclamation.

Do you have one of those "wonderful" LFS that keeps there salinity at around .21?

That drives me nuts.

 

[Jlentz]

I hear shrimp are very sensitive during acclamation.

Do you have one of those "wonderful" LFS that keeps there salinity at around .21?

That drives me nuts.

Yes. But thankfully the inverts and coral are all at 35ppt.

 

[curiouser]

I also have a tank where shrimp go to die. Boxer, scarlet, peppermints. Last time I added one (scarlet) about a half hour later I saw my clown and yellow tang apparently dive bombing a spot behind the rocks. I looked in from the side and saw a dead shrimp with clown and tang picking at it. Looked like the middle of the belly was splitting.
Parameters good, copper test neg, 1 hr acclimation floating bag in DT with slow addition of tank water. Shrimp from 2 LFS's and Foster & Smith w/ and w/out DD. Hermits and snails doing fine.
When previous shrimp died I did not see any attacks, but there could have been and I didn't see. Up to most recent episode shrimp lasted at least a few days.
Considering unidentified something unique to my tank, death during molt with or without attack or just attack w/o molt .
I would very much like to have decorative shrimp in tank but don't know how to proceed from here.
Suggestions please.
Thanks

 

[jasonrusso]

I drip acclimate for 45 mins to an hour with the bag floating in the sump to equalize the temp. I know the peppermint and cleaner shrimp are dead because I pulled their dead bodies out of the tank (and yes I know the difference between a molted shell and the actual shrimp). I knew the pistols were dead when their goby stopped hanging out in the rocks where the shrimp had been and started seeking shelter by himself. After this, I never saw the shrimp again. I have bought them from two different LFS, which is where I buy all of my other livestock, including crabs which are alive and well.

This is eerily similar to my situation. I bought a goby shrimp pair from someone local. The shrimp died (never saw it but the caves started closing up and the goby was alone). I bought another shrimp online (tiger pistol shrimp because that is what I had), he lived for a couple of weeks. Then the same thing, the goby stopped living in the burrow. I bought another one that did not ship well, it died (but I blame that one 100% on shipping).

I then bought a carribean shrimp locally. This one is still alive but won't allow the goby in the burrow! I kind of want this one to die (not really, lol) because I want them to pair up.

I also had a peppermint shrimp die, but I was constantly trying to catch it anyway (he kept stealing food) so I might have stressed it out.

Everything else is fine, crabs, pods, nassarius snails

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Looked like the middle of the belly was splitting

This is a sign of osmotic shock. May want to tweak your acclimation procedure.

 

[joec]

Try acclimating longer.

Are you sure they are getting food?

 

[curiouser]

Joec and Bob Loblaw, Thanks for the suggestions.
The shrimp who last at least a day do get and eat food. I've seen that.
On the theory that the 2 tank bully fish are murdering the shrimp I've ordered a plastic box with holes in it (to allow water circulation in and out). I'll place the next shrimp in the box (after extended acclimation) and let it stay in there (in the box which will be in the tank) for several days in the hope the bullies and the shrimp will get used to each other. I'll also be able to see if there's attack behavior exhibited by the bullies.

Does anybody know which decorative/cleaner shrimp are the toughest against bully fish? Would mated pairs be better defenders?