Lethargic/sinking shrimp

[KenCotigirl]

Augustus thats one large scotch glass. The glass size is not a problem in the short term so do not despair. How are they doing now?

[augustus4842]

Good news, 3 of the 5 looked like they were mostly in the upright position so I transferred them to vase #1!

I spotted about 10 shrimp (most of which were red) in vase #1. There should now be 16 shrimp in here. I'm now pretty sure there's only about a gallon of water in this vase. I can probably add a few more cups if I really wanted to, should I? If so, do I need to add conditioned water? Or can I just add fresh brackish water?

It looks like someone molted in vase #3. I can just keep the shell in there right? I'd say vase 3 probably has about 1.25 cups of liquid at most.

[Kinetikx]

Glad to hear that there has been some improvement! Since vase #3 is so small it wouldn't hurt to remove the shed skin (exuvia? I know thats what a shed tarantula skin is called anyway) It will eventually start to break down. Once again my concern is with the small volume of water.

It's not a huge issue if you add more water or not but if you decide to, use brackish. You only want to add distilled water if you're topping up due to evaporation. And I'm guessing since you mention conditioned water you're using something to dechlorinate tap water? Probably not an issue but I prefer to use distilled water over tap. It takes some variables out of the equation when it comes to water quality (Phosphates and hardness etc). Don't take my word for gospel on this. Do some reading. Like always these are some hardy animals so maintaining them isn't prone to the same sensitivities as other aquarium inhabitants.

*edit*
I wanted to add that in a healthy tank leaving shed exuviae in the water isn't much of an issue. Some quick searching showed me that shrimp may even eat the skin as a way to supplement minerals- especially calcium. I'm just trying to be cautious since there seems to be an issue with the scotch glass in question

[KenCotigirl]

Seems like there was a water problem with vase 2. Happy the three are doing better.

The rules with adding water:1 RO or distilled when replacing water that has evaporated (topping off)
2 conditioned(chlorine removed)brackish water to replace water removed

You may wish to put the shrimp in vase 3 with vase 1.

[augustus4842]

The remaining 2 in the scotch glass are still alive but sideways. I will wait and see if they get better before letting them join vase 1.
The exoskeleton in vase 3 has disappeared; I guess they were hungry?

I may not have used the correct term for my water. When initially setting up the tank, I let the water sit and 'condition' for 2-3 weeks. I only use distilled water. A few of you have commented on the vase sizes being a bit small so I would like to add some more brackish water.

My question is: when adding brackish water, do I need to add water that has been sitting out for 3 weeks (distilled water + reef crystals)? Or can I just add freshly mixed distilled water and reef crystals?
If I can add freshly made brackish water, will that still be the case for when I eventually find a larger vessel for vase 3? The ratio might be 3 parts new brackish water to 1 part old water. Is that ok?

I am still a bit leery about putting all my eggs (shrimp) in one basket (vase) in case something catastrophic happens. I am currently hunting for a larger container instead of vase 3 (I cannot add anymore liquid). I will not put them in vase 2 (for all I know there could be a toxic film on the interior or it can be cursed ).

Thank you again for all the support.

[dndvictory]

It's probably not much help now, but when cleaning any container for aquatic animals, try not to use soaps or detergents and when using sponges, make sure the sponge has never been treated with cleaning chemicals or antibacterial chemicals. Many sponges you buy today are treated. Read the packages they come in well. I'm not saying this is your problem, but just a word of warning. I sincerely hope the rest of your shrimp survive. I know it can be disheartening to lose any.

[augustus4842]

Sad news, I found a sideways shrimp in my control vase 3. I took him out and placed him in the quarantine scotch glass then proceeded to dump all of vase 3 into vase 1.
The 3 now in the scotch glass are still moving but are still side ways.

yes, that is a giant wine glass

IMG_0835c.JPG (71.55 KiB) Viewed 3213 times

I also have 7 cups of newly mixed brackish water. Should I add this new brackish water to the wine glass (vase 1?)

[Kinetikx]

I may not have used the correct term for my water. When initially setting up the tank, I let the water sit and 'condition' for 2-3 weeks. I only use distilled water. A few of you have commented on the vase sizes being a bit small so I would like to add some more brackish water.

My question is: when adding brackish water, do I need to add water that has been sitting out for 3 weeks (distilled water + reef crystals)? Or can I just add freshly mixed distilled water and reef crystals?
If I can add freshly made brackish water, will that still be the case for when I eventually find a larger vessel for vase 3? The ratio might be 3 parts new brackish water to 1 part old water. Is that ok?

Ah, you mean aging newly mixed salt/brackish water? If that's the case all I've ever done is leave an air stone running for 24 hours in the newly mixed water not weeks at a time. Unless you're talking about letting the tank cycle which allows a biological filter to establish itself. Mustafa has said that you could just add shrimp straight into a newly set up tank and the shrimp could probably survive. Its probably not the best thing to do however for shrimp that have been showing signs of distress.

[Kinetikx]

Here's a silly question. In all 3 of the original vases did you allow them to cycle, with water in them for the 2-3 weeks and *then* add the shrimp? Or just allow water to sit in a single container for the couple weeks then pour that water into the vases and then immediately add shrimp? If its the later then I think the problem is just no biological filtration, leading to a spike of ammonia, and distressed shrimp.

[augustus4842]

In the 3 original vases, I washed them (with dish soap ) and let them dry. I let the water sit in vase 1 and 2 for 3 weeks then added the shrimp and brackish moss. Vase 3 had the water the shrimp were packed in.

I have no air stone, pump or filter of any kind. I was drawn to these hardy shrimp because they do not require any of the usual aquatic accessories.

I added some of the newly mixed brackish water to my only remaining vase (the giant wine glass). Now there is approximately 1.33 gal with 20 shrimp (assuming none died). I still have the quarantine scotch glass with approximately 1.25 cups with 3 side ways ailing shrimp.

I just realized I sound like a major alcoholic with these vessels...

[KenCotigirl]

My new tank is a large wine glass type also. Cycling since Feb 1. Planning to add snails and macroalgae today. Picture to follow this evening.

[Mustafa]

There is definitely something wrong with the shrimp. Whenever something like that happens one usually has no choice but to perform an almost complete water change. Even if that messes up the balance a bit, it's better than having water which is possibly poisonous to the shrimp. I assume those shrimp are dead by now...

[augustus4842]

That is good to know if it ever happens again.
Maybe I'll just have another vase conditioning next to my current one just in case...
The tilting shrimp are probably all dead (unfortunately they all look the same).
I have counted up to 18 shrimp in my 1.33 gal vase.
They are very red and seem to be happy.