HELP : How to acclimate a pistol shrimp?

[j.falk]

Hey guys - I'm not new to saltwater but I am new to owning a pistol shrimp. I have a candy cane coming in today via UPS and I'm not sure on the correct way to acclimate it? Usually I will float the bag for 20 minutes, then open it and test the water for salinity. If it matches, I usually add the livestock directly to a tank. If not, I adjust accordingly.

The website that I bought the pistol shrimp from stated the shrimp would need to be acclimated for at least 1 hour before adding it to an aquarium. Is that correct? From what I understand, the longer it sits in the bag, the more potential for ammonia poisoning and temperature issues. How do you guys recommend acclimating them?

 

[Cell]

Always follow the vendor acclimation instructions. They tend to know what's best for their livestock and following their directions keeps guarantees intact.

 

[New&no clue]

I have two pistol shrimp, I didn't time it, but typically with any invert I pour out half the water that comes in the bag. Then I float the bag clipped to the side of the tank. I take a cup and add tank water in every 10-15min. Once the bag has doubled in water volume I dump them in. I always leave the bag clipped to the side so the water stays the right temp.

 

[j.falk]

Thank you.

 

[MrsBugmaster]

I would not dump the bag water in my tank or put that bag in my tank. I dump shrimp in a container with bag water, then remove half of the water and slowly ut tank water in container until water level is doubled. Then use a strainer or net to remove shrimp and put in tank.

 

[Wayne P.]

Drip acclimate. Put shrimp and half of bag water into container. Put that container into another larger container. Get an IV set up or commercially available drip tubing. set the flow so that it is dripping fairly fast but not streaming. Place the dripper into the container with shrimp or other critter. Let flow for 30 minutes, net out or sieve out and introduce to tank.

 

[j.falk]

Drip acclimate. Put shrimp and half of bag water into container. Put that container into another larger container. Get an IV set up or commercially available drip tubing. set the flow so that it is dripping fairly fast but not streaming. Place the dripper into the container with shrimp or other critter. Let flow for 30 minutes, net out or sieve out and introduce to tank.

Does that method adjust the temperature? I've never done a drip acclimate before and I've read lots of threads of people killing their livestock using that method.

 

[Wayne P.]

Been doing that for a few years. The temp does move more toward ambient temperature, but you are typically getting your livestock at colder than ambient. You are using tank water so it will put your temps closer to what's in the tank. And it will raise the temperature slowly. I have not lost any critters using this method.

 

[j.falk]

Gah! The shrimp arrived and it's only 3/4th of an inch long...this is going to be nerve wracking...

 

[Zionas]

Following as I will get a Tiger Pistol for my YWG pair once I have the gobies.

 

[Entz]

Drip acclimate. Put shrimp and half of bag water into container. Put that container into another larger container. Get an IV set up or commercially available drip tubing. set the flow so that it is dripping fairly fast but not streaming. Place the dripper into the container with shrimp or other critter. Let flow for 30 minutes, net out or sieve out and introduce to tank.

This is what I do for invert as well. I use the Innovative Marine Accudrip. It has been flawless and isn't expensive (~$10).

 

[j.falk]

Can 2 of the same pistol shrimps be kept together? Specifically the red banded (candy cane) variety?

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Depends on tank size to have two.

I dripped for the first year and do so for corals, urchins, sea stars, and some inverts. Depending on the container size you can easily do a water bath for your dripping container and use a small 25W or less heater to keep them above room temperature. Typically I float the bag for 10 minutes before I start dripping to acclimate the temp.

 

[malacoda]

I've kept a few candy canes together (in a 48" long 65g). They may bond and become a pair or mated pair. If not, and your tank is fairly large ... say 24g or more ... they may just stake out separate territories.

Nothing is 100% guaranteed though ... and I can really speak for how two of the same sex might behave in tight quarters.

If there isn't enough room and they see each other as competing rivals ... there is always the slight possibility they may decide to duke it out out until only one remains.