RCS And Moulting

Hello Shrimpers,

Last night I stock checked my 8 new Cherries. They had been in the tank just over a day. I located 7 quite easily - the black gravel definitely helps to locate them. I finally found no. 8 hiding underneath the filter, with a white "bar" across its back. I know from what I have read on here, that this can be an indication of a failed moult, so I was somewhat concerned. The shrimp did not seem to be moving.   

However, this morning, all 8 are present and correct, and there is an exoskeleton below the filter.
Oh! Deep Joy!    . I did, as previously suggested by a few of you, add Genchem Beta Glucans before stocking, so hopefully this has helped.

I just have to say that the expertise and help on this site is First Class!

Now I just have to wait for my first grand-shrimps, to go with my already teenage grand-assassins!
                                  Skittler

Hello Shrimpers,

Well, it's some bad news, and some excellent news.

Within 4 days of adding my first 8 RCS  shrimps, I have had 3 deaths.     All parameters are spot on. The other 5, which I think include at least 2 berried females, seem absolutely fine, and are eating well. I have also seen a total of 4 exoskeletons in the tank. I was wondering if a change of water parameter(s) from the LFS's, has induced a spate of moulting. Also, I have read a number of similar posts on here and elsewhere about early losses. I do wonder, even after taking care with acclimatisation, whether they are even more sensitive than some fish to a change of home.

Now for the Good News. Tonight, whilst studying one of the berried females with a magnifying glass (as you do!), I spotted something else on the bogwood, and then another ..... and another!
Yes! BABY SHRIMPS!  Now, whether a berried female didn't survive the delivery, or they were in one of the bags from the LFS, I don't really care. I'm a Grandad again ...... and no, they don't look just like me! If they did arrive in an LFS bag, perhaps I could officially adopt them?

I was going to buy some more tomorrow from a "third" LFS, but now I think I will summon up some patience, and enjoy my new arrivals. The only problem is that it's too late to go to the pub to celebrate  but I do know where there is a nice bottle of malt .....   Cheers!

                                               Skittler

Thanks Sue,

Yes, I did read your posts, and I found them very instructive. It is very sad and disappointing when you try your best, and you still seem to fail. It really does appear to me that no matter how hard you try to find shrimp from a supplier with similar parameters to your own, and follow the complex acclimatisation instructions which most breeders insist on, there is still something which causes some shrimp a problem. Maybe it's just stress ..... I don't know. Perhaps, the babies which survive do so because they didn't experience that stress? I am sure one day, some clever scientist or hobbyist will come up with the answer. Now, before the light comes on in the shrimpery, I must go out and buy a stronger magnifying glass, so that I can try and count my grand-shrimps!

Thanks again Sue,

                                                      Skittler

Have a look at the Planet Inverts, Sharnbrook Shrimp, and Pro shrimp websites. Sorry, but my computer skills are somewhat limited! There has to be a reason why such suppliers are so particular.

                                                                      Skittler

www.pro-shrimp.co.uk

Click on any cherry shrimp and the acclimatisation details are below. I hope I've done this right!

                                               Skittler

Sue,

Two questions:

How often are you dosing with Beta Glucans? Genchem say twice a week, but it is difficult to be precise with the small amounts involved, and I am worried about over-dosing. Clearly whatever you are doing has worked!

and,

Are you going to put the Crystal Reds in with the Cherries?

                                           Skittler

I dose once a week with something called bacter AE, which is similar to beta glucans I think. Also, I've been keeping red cherry and red crystal shrimp together for a few weeks now. The only thing I would say is that the crystals are a bit fussier in terms of substrate and water. Because I'm in Scotland, the water is too soft, so I use an additive called salty bee powder to raise GH a little in my shrimpery. I was also advised that the crystals can't go on sand/gravel substrate like the cherries, so I use a special substrate called red bee sand in my shrimpery.

Other than that, I've had no problems mixing the 2 together, though, as Sue says, I wouldn't mix colour forms of neocaridina or caridina.

I was also advised that the crystals can't go on sand/gravel substrate like the cherries,

I haven't come across that in my reading, was it the seller who told you?
I got my crystals from a fish shop so they wouldn't know that much about them. Once I've finished my cup of tea I'm due a water change on that tank and have already spotted one dead crystal in there this morning  . If they all die I won't replace them as they cost so much.

I'm not sure how to add a link to a website, but it's Planet Inverts and the article is called 'setting up a shrimp tank'.

In order to set up a link in your post you type in the following:
[url=http://www.google.co.uk]Google[/url]This sets up a blue text link "Google" which, when you click on it goes to... well Google! As below:

Google

Quote from: Diz1 on June 21, 2015, 12:52:57 PM

I'm not sure how to add a link to a website, but it's Planet Inverts and the article is called 'setting up a shrimp tank'.

In order to set up a link in your post you type in the following:

Code: [Select]

[url=http://www.google.co.uk]Google[/url]This sets up a blue text link "Google" which, when you click on it goes to... well Google! As below:

Google

Or, more easily, you can simply paste the URL website address (you copy it from the address bar at the top of your browser) and this forum knows it's a link and treats it as such (it is printed in blue text and underlined), then anyone clicking on the URL website address will be directed to the destination page on the website you are informing your recipients about.

http://www.planetinverts.com/Invert%20Tank%20Setup.html

It's not as sexy as the method Steve posted, but it gets the job done.