Bamboo Shrimp Ill/Disease?

[raptor83]

(I decided to give this question its own thread - as I had no replies when I just changed the name of my previous thread - I hope no-one minds)
I was just checking on my male bamboo shrimp today when I noticed that the shell above its left legs appeared to be damaged - it looks as though the shell has completely gone over a certain area I dont know how or what has caused it though - it almost looks like a disease(?) It definitely is not caused by any fish I have, as they are all very tiny (1-2cm) and have never bothered the shrimp - plus they have plenty of hiding places. Should I be concerned, or will this 'gap' in the shell disappear at its next molt? Here's a pic:- (I'm vacuuming the gravel soon)

Does anyone have any ideas? Is there anything I can do?
Thanks in advance

[Zambat]

That looks pretty bad I dont know what it is sorry - but is the shrimp moving around and eating alright? Thats usually a good indication if they will recover or not - at least it is for me.

[raptor83]

He is moving around fine, and seems to be eating ok, so i'm hopeful he will be fine, thanks Does anyone know if this 'gap' will dissapear at his next moult?

[Lady Friesian]

I've never seen an injury like that (in my very limited shrimpkeeping experience), but maybe it will heal. All crustaceans have regenerative power, and I think most tend to do this while molting. One of mine completely regrew a missing uropod (the little fin things that make up the tail's fan). It might take a few molts, though. Just guessing!

[raptor83]

Thanks, that puts my mind at rest alittle Its so strange though, I really dont know what has caused it at all - it almost looks like a burn(?) He couldnt have been burnt by the tank heater could he? - Its not very powerful, but still...

[Lady Friesian]

How is he? Has he molted yet? That species doesn't molt as often as the smaller species, right? Please tell us how he's doing!

[raptor83]

Hes doing ok - thanks for asking. He has not yet moulted, but I am hopeful that it will heal when he does. The redness seen in the picture has gone, and the edges have cleared up alot, but the hole is still there Hopefully he will be fine, i'll update this thread when he moults and let everyone know how he does

[badflash]

I have a rosenbergii that lost an arm for no reason I know of. After 2 molts I see a little arm starting to grow. They aren't like us;

[raptor83]

Bad news im afraid, he passed away last night

He seemed fine yesterday morning. Heres a picture of him then, which I was just about to post in this thread showing how the wounds edges had cleared up, and how he was feeding fine:-


but then later on in the day he looked kind of 'yellow' coloured - like he had jaundice, and then later that night he started 'juddering' every fifteen seconds

Unfortunately, this is a photo of how I found him this morning - he'd passed on:-


I buried him a few hours ago under a tree in my garden.

I dont think his death was anything to do with the wound - I think he probably died of old age, and that the wound itself may have been a result of his age. You can actually see the beginnings of another 'wound' starting just near his eye on the second photo.

He was the first shrimp I ever bought, and I got him 6 months ago. When I bought him I asked for the 'biggest shrimp in the tank' - which in hindsight was the totally wrong thing to do - as I was picking the oldest.

I did not know much about shrimp then, and I had not even come across this great site. if you read Mustafas articles he suggest that you always buy younger shrimp, as you cannot be sure of how old they are if they are not young. This especially applies to Bamboo Shrimp as they are entirely wild caught.

Anyway, RIP 'Jack' the Bamboo Shrimp

[Shrimp&Snails]

Awww sorry you lost him.

[fishcrazee]

I'm so sorry you lost him... I have had similar experiences when I ask for the biggest without realizing that means its the oldest as well. I hope you feel better soon.

[fishgeek]

it looks like my descriptions for shell rot
which is usually secondary to either damage or overcrowding and water quality issues in captive lobsters..
i have only theoretical knowledge, fish is my hobby, veterinary medicine is my job, i read what i can on fish disease though have only been keeping fish 5 yrs and shrimp the last 6mths other than the amano's which i intially got for algal control an slowly learnt about

sometimes reducing temperature can slow bacterial division and retard disease progress
it looks to me in the first and thn second picture like the erosion of his carpace has become full thickness.. prehaps this allowed infection of his nervous tissue and led to the the death you experienced

andrew

[pfinstir]

Raptor,

So sorry about your loss. I am also new to shrimp. Saw some in the local pet store and bought the 3 that they had. One is much larger than the other 2, therefore older.

I didn't know either. It's a learning thing, but it still makes you sad. Good luck on the new shrimp that you get.