Shrimps becomes inactive

[uklau]

While I was away for a week during CNY, the water level for my 10L shrimp tank dropped until half (running a fan 24x7). After topping up the water level, I noticed (for a week) that all my shrimps are not active as usual. All hang on the plants & non of them are on the gravel.

I suspect that it could be an ammonia spike. Change 50% of the water every alternate day but still not improving. Very little molting happen & quite a number of casualties. I lost about 20 pcs of tiger shrimps within 2 weeks .

Any idea what's going on ? Thanks.

[Quixotic]

Introducing 50% amount of water could have changed some parameters too drastically for the shrimps liking. In this case, I think it may have been better to top up the water incrementally for a few days until the tank is full again.

pH shock perhaps? I assume that there is a certain pH that you maintain in the tank and the new water have different pH properties.

[itssg]

My 2ft various shrimp tank was facing the same problem too last year. So I am using drip method to top up the water this year. Reduce the feeding and they are all doing well.

[jd_man]

While I was away for a week during CNY, the water level for my 10L shrimp tank dropped until half (running a fan 24x7). After topping up the water level, I noticed (for a week) that all my shrimps are not active as usual. All hang on the plants & non of them are on the gravel.

I suspect that it could be an ammonia spike. Change 50% of the water every alternate day but still not improving. Very little molting happen & quite a number of casualties. I lost about 20 pcs of tiger shrimps within 2 weeks .

Any idea what's going on ? Thanks.

Unless you have a good colony of bacts in your tank, changing water too often is bad for sensetive shrimps like tiger. Temperature??? Plant decay?

[uklau]

Thanks for helping, guys.

I'm wondering what are the essential test kits to have for people intending to keep shrimps. I only have pH test kit.

For pH, what do can I do if the pH is higher or lower than what is ideal for shrimps?

Thanks in advance.

[uklau]

Unless you have a good colony of bacts in your tank, changing water too often is bad for sensetive shrimps like tiger. Temperature??? Plant decay?

jd_man, plants are doing good although not fantastics. No rotting & no algae.

[uklau]

After 2 weeks, shrimps still remains the same. Still keep on hanging on the plants. Trying changing 50% water for 2 times & followed by top up until today. Not much improvement. Any thoughts?

[Quixotic]

How were the 50% water changes carried out? I would suggest to use the drip method as suggested by itssg if you are not doing it yet. They are most affected by sudden changes in water parameters (including pH, temperature etc).

I don't think it is a case of the bacteria colonies as I presume you already have a filter running in your tank, don't you?

[rugie]

Uklau, please test your replacement water, if it is tap water then it can change from time to time. you should have No2, No3, Nh3 & ph test kits and use them on a biweekly schedule or more often if you see problem in the making. Shrimp are tough little animals but high nutrients will do them in. please do not add any more of your regular replacement water until tested.

[uklau]

Thanks, fellow forumers for being so generous in lending me a hand.

To conclude, it is good to have the following test kits:
1) pH test kit
2) NO2 & NO3 kit
3) NH3 & NH4 test kit

While the above are clear, I'm still not sure what to do if:

1) pH is either too high or too low - only know that controlling CO2 will help
2) NO2 or NO3 too high - do water change & less feeding?
3) NH3 & NH4 too high - do water change & less feeding?

Thanks.

[Quixotic]

2) NO2 or NO3 too high - do water change & less feeding?
3) NH3 & NH4 too high - do water change & less feeding?

I think the most common culprit for these is overfeeding. If your tank has plants, there isn't really a need to feed so much. With the plants, there should always be some micro food in your tank for the shrimps.

Water change will help but note that shrimps do not like sudden and big changes. If possible, use dechlorinators for the new water as well.

More plants (that is growing well) and a good matured filter will also help to reduce the high levels.