Strange deaths

southerndesert · Post by **southerndesert** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 2:37 pm

Hi All,

In one of my shrimp tanks I have Indian Zebra as well as Malaya Shrimp. Over the last couple weeks the IZ are dieing off one by one for no apparent reason. Water is fine no Nitrites, Ammonia, PH at 7.8 Nitrates less than 5 and I just can't figure it out. The Malaya Shrimp are fine and almost adults now and all have been in this well established tank for I think around 6 weeks ( I think I purchased the Malaya about that long ago). Just the IZ seem affected by whatever this problem may be.

I have no problems in any of my other 3 shrimp only tanks and all are getting the same food. Only other inhabitants are Blue Rams (snails) This is my first Shrimp die off and most of you I am sure know how I am feeling about now...

Sure leaves a fellow scratching his head...

Any ideas

Bill

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 2:52 pm

First thing is to stop feeding anything and do a good vacuum/water change and see what happens. If you add a few leached hardwood leaves the tank can go moths without feeding. The biggest thing is tonot go overboard and change something radical.

I don't keep either of these shrimp, so I don't know if theyare compatible or if the water they need is the same either. I trust you've checked that part out.

southerndesert · Post by **southerndesert** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:00 pm

Howdy Badflash,

Yes they both are supposed to be fine in more hard/alkaline water...

I keep this tank around 7.4 to 7.8 with a mix of RO and Tap, I do use Prime as well for the tap water. I am in a small one horse town in AZ and on a public well.

My RCS tank gets the same water and they are fine and breeding like crazy.

My CRS tank and Bee Tank get RO water...

Tap water here is well over 8.0

I have lost 4 out of 10 so far and it is quite distressing to say the least.

There are leaves in the tank and I will quit feeding as there is plenty of natural food to be had. This tank did have a Hydra problem a couple weeks ago, but they are gone and surly it is unrelated.

Thanks for your suggestions, Bill

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 7:54 am

Hydra generally appear after you add new critters and there is too much food. Just hang in there. Many times shrimp will die off on you when you get adults too. That was my experience early on with red cherries. Onver the next month I lost about 75% in an established tank with other cherries. Only the new adults died. They don't adapt as well as the juvies.