Sick RCS?! Help!

[jeej]

Got home tonight and one of my females seems really sick.

She keeps just falling over like a drunk. Stays still for a while, then moves slightly, falls over again. Twice she has sort of spazzed out, like a big twitch.

Any ideas what is up with her?

Thanks.

p.s. I'm gonna test my water now.

[jeej]

Water test results...

Date Ammonia Nitrate Nitrite pH
11/2/08 0.1 2.5 0 7.4

This tank is 4gal.

The RCS is still BRIGHT red - I thought if one was distressed it would lose its redness?

[southerndesert]

It looks like you are saying ammonia is 0.1? If so that is likely your problem and any ammonia at all is bad for shrimp and can prove fatal.

Bill

[aberfitch]

looks like from the info you provided either the nitrate and nitrite is high. 4 test but only 3 numbers. I would do a 10 percent water change with declorinate water that has sat for 1 day so temp is the same as your tank. drip the water in to not disturbe the shrimp and cause more stress.

[sstimac]

If the ammonia is on the rise, a ten percent water change will be pretty ineffective. I would recommend using filter media from another tank to help seed and boost the development of your nitrifying bacteria along with water changes. Keep a very close eye on the ammonia levels your nitrIte levels may be on the rise soon. The water doesn't have to be a day old, but it does take around 10+ minutes for the chloramines to be neutralized, so make sure the water has been treated for at least ten minutes before you use it.

[jeej]

There are 4 test results there, actually. Nitrite is at 0.

Anyway, good advice, I am gonna get some mature media and add it.

Bizarrely the little RCS is still alive, although still spazzing out.

[sstimac]

There are 4 test results there, actually. Nitrite is at 0.

I have found that whenever I have an ammonia rise a Nitrite rise is on the way. If you have not had one yet, you probably will soon.