Why do I never have luck with Cleaner/Fire shrimp?

[Subnautica]

I bought 4 Cleaner and 2 Fire shrimp at different times. All died within a week. One was doing great this morning then suddenly died in the evening.

The only shrimp I've had luck with is the Pistol shrimp. He's been in my tank for 3 months.

It's weird because all my fish have been doing well. So do other inverts (emerald crab, gorilla crab, trochus snails, nassarius snails, abalone, urchins, and conch).

I don't have any test kit to justify, but considering all other critters are doing fine, isn't it weird the Cleaner and Fire shrimp are always the victims?

 

[Dvanlier05]

What type of fish do you have? Could they be killing them while your not around?

 

[ScottR]

You have a gorilla crab.... that might explain your losses.

 

[Crabby48]

You have a gorilla crab.... that might explain your losses.

That’s what I was thinking.

 

[Subnautica]

What type of fish do you have? Could they be killing them while your not around?

No all the shrimp died in the corner without amy fish bothering them.

Fish I have: clowns, chromis, leopard wrasse, royal gramma, dispar anthias, banggai, orange spot goby.

 

[Subnautica]

You have a gorilla crab.... that might explain your losses.

I should clarify that the gorilla crab is in the breeder box outside of the tank (unless he released some poisonous spells into the tank)

 

[Tahoe61]

Shrimp will often molt after introduction to a new tank. One of your tank inhabitants is probably taking out the shrimp during or right aft after molt.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Describe your acclimation. They require long acclimation ( I recommend 3-4 hours)

 

[Tahoe61]

Describe your acclimation. They require long acclimation ( I recommend 3-4 hours)

Really I match temp, and acclimate with display water over 30 min. Never have I acclimated for such an extended period of time, it certainly can not hurt though.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Really I match temp, and acclimate with display water over 30 min. Never have I acclimated for such an extended period of time, it certainly can not hurt though.

My recommendation and has always works with fire shrimp, even banded... . . . Float bag for 20 minutes, empty into pail or bucket. Add a cup of water from your tank every 15 minutes 8 -10 times, then scoop shrimp into cup and release from cup into tank . . . AT LOW LIGHT OR LIGHTS OUT so no one intimidates it at lights out

 

[John08007]

Iodine levels? Thought they need it for their shell, not.sure what happens if it were low but cant be good

 

[Terri Caton]

I never ever acclimate mine except for temp. I have seven of them that I have to beat away while feeding corals/eel. 3 skunk, 3 fire and one banded.

 

[Greg P]

Smaller shrimps may be more sensitive to 'things' in your water than the Pistol Shrimp you have.
Is this tank brand new to you?
What has been used in this tank to cause invert deaths?
I'd have your water tested for copper ...

Edit: I asked about it being new to you ... has copper ever been used in this tank?

 

[H3rm1tCr@b]

That is weird but I feel your pain. I have not been able to keep any cleaning species in the past, but I think I didn't feed enough and I had nitrate issues. Good luck.

 

[Subnautica]

Smaller shrimps may be more sensitive to 'things' in your water than the Pistol Shrimp you have.
Is this tank brand new to you?
What has been used in this tank to cause invert deaths?
I'd have your water tested for copper ...

Edit: I asked about it being new to you ... has copper ever been used in this tank?

No I never used any med in my tank.

 

[Subnautica]

Describe your acclimation. They require long acclimation ( I recommend 3-4 hours)

I do drip acclimation for about 2 to 3 hours. When the bag is full I dump half of it and continue the drip for 2 more times. For snails I don't do drip.

 

[John08007]

I've always just let bag float for 30-45 min then dumped it into the tank-never had any issues. Ive had both cleaner and peppermint shrimp

 

[vetteguy53081]

I've always just let bag float for 30-45 min then dumped it into the tank-never had any issues. Ive had both cleaner and peppermint shrimp

This is the more sensitive Fire shrimp

 

[CuzzA]

I don't have any test kit

That is a problem. The number one job in this hobby is to manage water. With no test kits you can't manage water.

Cleaner shrimp species generally need excellent water quality and high o2. Usually the o2 is achieved through sufficient flow, but using small doses of peroxide or an oxydator would increase the o2 in the water and break down organics and nitrate. Nevertheless, without a test kit, you're flying blind. Especially if you are using a cheap hydrometer instead of a refractometer.

I float the bag for thirty minutes and then drip acclimate my shrimp for an hour. I have both a Skunk and blood. The leopard wrasse eats inverts so if it is big enough it could be the culprit as well, but I'm leaning toward water quality.

 

[alton]

If you decide to try another cleaner shrimp and it dies, look to see if it still has it's eyes? Sounds weird but I tried to add cleaner shrimp to a tank years ago and went though three of them before I saw what was happening. My Neon Dottyback would just pluck the eyes out and run off. Never took a bite or bothered them after the eyes where removed. Needless to say he was removed to the lfs where I bought him from and told them why he was brought back.