My First Shrimp-only Tank Journal

[The Fisherman]

Here is the FINAL update:

I actually had to tear the tank down a month or so ago. It was not in good shape. I already had more tanks then I could handle, and with my most recent injurys it became too much and I found myself neglecting the tank. That mixed with the beetles that kept jumping in resulted in a dwindling population of shrimp. I had 12 adults total, and no young that I could find. It appears the cold temperature over the winter completely stopped their breeding. Now - I still have that colony. Moved them to a different tank with my Amanos and dwarf puffer (who is peaceful. He's an oddball. Won't attack shrimp. We will see how he does with young.). It's been over a month and i'm finally starting to see 'brilliant' patches, which suggests they have started breeding again. I'm working on putting together a paper on how water quality and temp slows down breeding.
I feel absolutely terrible about the shrimp that died - but the best I can do now is start breeding them again and strive to always take the 'next step' in aquarium keeping.
I have a lighter tankload now, that I can handle. I will start adding more tanks once my injurys heal, and as long as I know I can maintain them. My current project is breeding one of the Lysmata peppermint shrimp species. (Theres actually close to 7 species, or so) I could start a journal on that as well.

Well, I hope my journal benefited somebody, even if the end result was not a succes. I know what I did wrong from this tank, and my current cherrie tank is doing very well. (Perhaps i'll start a thread on this new tank)

One of the most important lessons in aquarium keeping: Don't bite off more than you can chew.

Many thanks to Mustafa, badflash, newjohn, Yuccapatrol, Neonshrimp, and i'm sure others who I am forgetting. Happy shrimpkeeping everybody.

THE END