Sudden Skunk-Cleaner Shrimp Death

[Jon Fishman]

SSCSDS..... sudden skunk cleaner shrimp death syndrome has struck...... This was a week ago, but rather than just completely letting it go, I figured I would see if anyone had any similar experiences and could offer insight

Emptied my old tank, got my new tank up and running. Bare-bottom, all corals (my green-slimer thing got probably RTN after the move, it’s pretty much a goner) with the exception of one have done great, I added 30 more snails, I have a bunch (dozen?) emerald crabs, 2 cleaner shrimp, and an Urchin.... Week goes by, so I scoop up a Skunk Cleaner.....

He’s a big guy......active at the store. acclimation is just a bucket, adding a cup of water from my tank every 5-10 min, then net and in the tank he goes.

Next morning I find him stuck to my Urchin, dead.

Thought it was a Molt at first, but it wasn’t

I have no fish etc in my tank....... Shock from the move to my tank maybe? But aren’t skunk shrimp pretty hardy?

Just bad luck? Quick $35 to see him hide for the 20 minutes I actually saw him in my tank

thoughts?

 

[W1ngz]

Maybe the 'stuck to the urchin' part happened while it was still alive?

 

[Jon Fishman]

Maybe the 'stuck to the urchin' part happened while it was still alive?

Does that happen? It was pretty big, I figured they could probably walk on urchins, but perhaps not?

 

[W1ngz]

All I can do is guess. It may have been a failed moult also. If everything else is still alive then you're not likely to find much in the way of clues.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I guess I will wait for an online store to have a sale and get a few at once and try again

 

[SuncrestReef]

You didn't mention anything about water parameter tests. So this is a new tank...was it properly cycled?

 

[Jon Fishman]

You didn't mention anything about water parameter tests. So this is a new tank...was it properly cycled?

It was a move from an old tank. Rocks, SPS, etc...

I had over 125# of rock in my previous 75g, and I added one 64# rock that I have been curing in a brute for 2 months.

Everything else is doing fine, so I am at a bit of a loss.