shrimp mystery

[Chris Kelly]

One by one my shrimp are dying over the course of several weeks. I keep my water stable. Is there a predator I am unaware of? Bristle worms killing them? Not enough food? I've lost 2 clams as well. My snails are great as well as my hermits.

Anybody had this happen to them?

 

[ShaunRobinson]

Heard any clicking coming from the tank recently?

 

[Chris Kelly]

mantis ??

maybe so--ill have to pay attention

 

[ShaunRobinson]

Even a pistol. Especially if it's been happening over several weeks. Did they just disappear or did you find them? Wouldn't explain the clams but that could be down to a different reason.

 

[Chris Kelly]

I found them dead

 

[cmcoker]

And you're sure they were dead, not just a molt?

 

[Chris Kelly]

yep dead

 

[jcdeng]

do you dose/check iodine level? any large wrasse or butterfly fish?

 

[Chris Kelly]

i do dose iodine--not wrasse or butterfly

 

[AlexG]

What type of shrimp and clams have died? How old is the tank? How big is your tank? Do you test of iodine before dosing? I would be interested to know when they die are you finding the animal intact or has it been partially consumed, rotting, or covered in clear slime?

 

[jcdeng]

test your iodine level, if you follow the direction on the bottle on how much to dose, your shrimp probably died from too high of a iodine level in the water.

 

[Chris Kelly]

What type of shrimp and clams have died? How old is the tank? How big is your tank? Do you test of iodine before dosing? I would be interested to know when they die are you finding the animal intact or has it been partially consumed, rotting, or covered in clear slime?

1 year 2 months old---110 gallons---red sea reefer 450---i have not tested for iodine in a long time. I add 4 drops a day of iodine supplement from KZ. I find the animal intact with no signs of slime or damage. I had a derasa and maxima clam die

 

[AlexG]

1 year 2 months old---110 gallons---red sea reefer 450---i have not tested for iodine in a long time. I add 4 drops a day of iodine supplement from KZ. I find the animal intact with no signs of slime or damage. I had a derasa and maxima clam die

I would stop dosing iodine until a test is completed to verify the levels are not high. With these animals being found intact after they die I would be more inclined to believe that there is an environmental issue impacting them rather than a predator. I would test all water parameters that you can at home and consider sending your water out for testing. Other environmental factors to check: The use of chemicals, air fresheners, cleaners, or anything else used in the house that has has a strong smell in the air near the tank, stray voltage can also be checked as another possibility. I would also perform a check of all pumps and heaters for signs of metal corrosion or seal failure. A foreign object check can also be completed to ensure that nothing has accidentally fallen into the tank or sump that should not be there. Best thing to do at this point is take your time and don't make any drastic changes unless there is a cause isolated that requires a immediate major change to the system.