Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping => Invertebrates - Shrimps and Snails => Topic started by: Skittler on June 15, 2015, 01:17:57 PM
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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! ;D ;D. 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
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I had more than my share of finding dead cherry shrimps with a white line across them a couple of years ago. It was such a relief when I finally found exoskeletons. It was because of those deaths that Natalia suggested beta glucans, and my cherries have done very well since I got that.
There's a thought! I just got some crystal reds this morning, they are in the quarantine tank. I must go and dose it with beta g.......
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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! :cheers: 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 :yikes: but I do know where there is a nice bottle of malt ..... :rotfl: Cheers!
Skittler
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If you've found any of my posts from a couple of years ago, you'll see that I lost every single cherry shrimp that I bought. But the last but one to die was a berried female which I moved to my quarantine tank. She died there after the eggs hatched leaving a dozen or so babies which all survived.
If my experience is anything to go by, as long as you have berried females don't panic yet. Even if the adults don't 'like' your tank there will still be baby shrimps born in your tank and that seems to make a difference.
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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
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Is there a link to these acclimatisation instructions :yikes: I will need to read them as I'm ready for shrimp
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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
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Acclimatisation methods:
Planet Inverts (http://www.planetinverts.com/Acclimating%20New%20Shrimp.html)
Sharnbrook shrimp (http://www.sharnbrookshrimp.co.uk/category_s/1860.htm)
The methods are different because Planet Inverts state they use breathable bags to ship shrimps in while Sharnbrook don't say but their method implies they use plain, non-breathable bags.
Couldn't find Pro shrimp's method though.
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www.pro-shrimp.co.uk
Click on any cherry shrimp and the acclimatisation details are below. I hope I've done this right!
Skittler
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Or you could do it like this (http://www.pro-shrimp.co.uk) ;)
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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
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1. When I first got the beta glucans I dosed once a week. It is now almost two years on and I dose when I remember or when I get new shrimp, for a couple of months.
2. Yes. They are different species so no risk of in-breeding. I wouldn't mix red cherries with any other colour form of Neocaridina heteropoda (blue, yellow, orange etc) or crystal reds with any other colour of Caridina cantonensis (bee shrimp, crystal back).
And I wouldn't mix either of them with larger shrimps such as amanos, simply on size grounds as the smaller shrimp could be intimidated.
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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.
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Thank you Ladies,
1. I will dose Beta Glucans once a week then, and take it from there.
2. I had thought about adding Crystal Reds to my Cherries at some time in the future, when I will have more experience. They are stunning to look at. Although, I think my PH may be too high (7.6 at the moment). KH is 3, and GH is 5, but I am expecting these to increase a little over time with the crushed coral in the filter. It's still early days for me, and things may change. (I might even find some patience!) I will follow your progress with interest.
Skittler
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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.
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Hi Sue, it was the breeder that I bought them from, but a local shrimp keeper (who I didn't buy these shrimp from) also uses a special substrate, though a different make to mine. Planet inverts has a good article on setting up shrimp tanks, which does recommend a specialised substrate (though again, not the same make as mine). 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'.
Sorry if I've just confused the issue, I was just trying to pass on a bit of information that I'd been told :-[
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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 (http://www.google.co.uk)
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I knew it was bound to be technical! Thanks SteveS, will bear that in mind for the next time I want to add a link! :)
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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 (http://www.google.co.uk)
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 (http://www.thinkfish.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,1980.msg18856.html#msg18856), but it gets the job done. ;)
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Hello All,
My elderly brain hurts! Will any of this help me with "RCS and Moulting"? Still, my youngest grand-daughter is coming to visit next week-end ........ she will translate!
Skittler
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Sorry Skittler, my brain hurts as well! Sue will keep you right re: moulting. I think as long as you use the beta glucans or bacter AE, you will be OK. I also have something called tantora stone in my shrimpery. It's supposed to help with moulting, but I am in a very soft water area and that means that my water doesn't contain the correct minerals for moulting, so I have to add them. It may be that your water doesn't require these supplements.
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*EDIT* thanks for the advice Extreme One. You can probably tell that I'm not technically minded! :)
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My pack of beta g has a picture of crystal reds and a clown fish (the marine fish) on the front. It says it "boosts immune function and enhances aquatic cells' antibacterial activity". This was recommended to me because the most likely cause of my initial shrimp deaths was a bacterium in my tank that the shrimps lacked immunity to. The idea being that beta g would build up their immunity rather than use some chemical to kill the bacteria, which could have other less desirable effects as well.
According to their website, bacter ae adds important microorganisms, amino acids and enzymes to your aquarium. It enhancing water quality and improving the development of biofilms, which are essential for shrimp. The biofilms thus created provide them with a valuable staple food rich in beneficial proteins, especially improving the survival rate of young shrimplets. In addition, live probiotic bacteria improve the nutrient uptake of the shrimp and influence their digestive processes in a positive way.
It seems the two do different things so both can be used.
As far as adding crystal reds, my GH and KH are just about acceptable, though my pH is slightly higher than they like. If you are using crushed coral, your GH and KH may end up too high for them.
It a week since I got my crystals, one had died but the other four are still alive.
The problem with these two species' names is that they may be long winded to type but the usual way of referring to them, CRS and RCS, and just too similar! It just takes one slip of the fingers and we'll end up taking about different species ;D