the disappearing Bamboo shrimp

[qkslvrb4]

i just recently bought a bamboo shrimp(~3 inches) to go in my small red cherry tank(15 or so). All seemed okay for two days, acclamation went alright and he was feeding within a few hours. Then i left for two days, leaving him in the care of my gf, and when i came back... he was gone! not even a trace! I did a water change to see if maybe he dug himself in somewhere or was hiding in a very obscure place. The tank has a hood so he couldn't have jumped out. So my question is: if he died would/could the cherries have eaten him???? any hypotheses welcome.

[badflash]

He climbed out. The cherries didn't eat him. They are great escape artist. He is now one with the dust bunnies.

[pfinstir]

Hi,

I am new to the forum. Just bought three bamboo shrimp yesterday and added them to the tank. It will ultimately be a community tank. I have had it setup for at least 2 months and just recently started adding fish and other aquatic animals. I added the shrimp yesterday. I've seen 1, but haven't seen the other 2. Is it possible the other 2 could have escaped? What can I do to prevent their escape?

[qkslvrb4]

!!!! Thanks to Badflash's comments i took a closer look around everywhere in the hood (because i refuse to believe that he lifted the tank hood up and climbed out...) and Lo and Behold there's a little tail sticking out of the output from the pump! he must have climbed out of the water, fuond his way onto the chemical filtration pad, and climbed his way into the pump.....furthermore...HE'S STILL ALIVE!!! .... never know bamboo's were such good escape artists, i'll have to keep an extra close eye on him. thanks for your replies!

[badflash]

They leave the tank becuae they are not happy, so figure out what is wrong with your tank. Read over Mustafa's info on Bamboos as far as water parameters. 20 gallon minimum size, soft acidic water for starters. They need a perch where there is high flow too.

They also hide when they are in a new tank, so make sure they have some nice safe place to go. When they molt they get especially desparate. If they want to leave the tank, they will, so your job is to keep them happy.

[pfinstir]

Thanks Shrimpmaster. Okay, I found 2 of the 3. They were hidden inside a sunken ship. I know, a little corny, but it also provided a hiding space. I cleaned the tank yesterday and knocked over the ship. The other 2 were just hiding. A big brown one and a small lighter one. Those 2 always stay together. They were entwined when I purchased them from the pet store. There is another, however, who is far more visible. Didn't see that one this morning and he/she is always out and about. This shrimp is usually near the intake pipe or attempting to scamper up the side of the tank. Hope he doesn't escape because our house cat will definitely be there to greet him.