So you just set up a brand-new planted tank and bought ten (or twenty) freshwater dwarf shrimp. As soon as you move them, you start to see them die over the next few days or weeks. one by one. What the heck happened?.
We often talk about how hardy shrimp are, which is definitely true. However, they are more delicate than most of our aquatic fish friends.
There are many reasons shrimp perish. There are mistakes that are so obvious that you can see them on your own, but there are also things that not even the most experienced shrimp keepers would think of.
Are you ready to give up on keeping these brightly colored pets? You should read what comes next before you give up. You can always make it right. I will explain the possible reasons why shrimp can die, and how you can remedy them.
As an aquarist who enjoys keeping ghost shrimp, I was very disheartened when my shrimp started dying off. At first it was just one here and there, but soon I was losing them rapidly. Determined to get to the bottom of the issue, I started researching all the possible reasons ghost shrimp die.
Through trial and error and adjusting my tank conditions, I finally got the shrimp deaths under control In this article, I’ll share what I learned about the common causes of ghost shrimp dying and how to troubleshoot and fix them
Frequency of Entities
- Ghost shrimp: 38
- Shrimp: 21
- Tank: 16
- Water: 13
- Ammonia: 9
- Nitrite: 5
- pH: 5
- Copper: 4
- Fish: 4
- Temperature: 3
- Medication: 3
- Molting: 2
- Food: 2
- Oxygen: 2
- Plants: 1
- Algae: 1
- Parasites: 1
Why Are My Ghost Shrimp Suddenly Dying?
If your ghost shrimp are dying rapidly it points to an acute issue in your tank, rather than just old age or natural causes. Here are some common causes of sudden mass ghost shrimp die offs
Water Parameter Changes
Fluctuations in pH, ammonia spikes, rapid temperature changes, or other water parameter shifts can quickly kill sensitive shrimp. Test your water to see if any levels are outside the ideal ranges.
Medications or Toxins
Medications like copper-based treatments can be toxic to invertebrates. Water conditioners and tap water may also contain chlorine or heavy metals. Test for copper and do extra water changes.
Improper Molting
Failed molts are a common cause of sudden deaths. Ensure soft, acidic water and provide calcium supplements to support successful molting.
Disease Outbreak
Bacterial infections, parasites like Ellobiopsidae or Scutariella, and pathogenic fungi can all wipe out shrimp quickly if left untreated. Isolate and treat any sick shrimp promptly.
Why Are My Ghost Shrimp Slowly Dying Over Time?
If deaths are scattered and gradual, it likely indicates an underlying environmental issue that is stressing the shrimp. Some common reasons for ghost shrimp dying slowly over time include:
Poor Water Quality
Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate creep, pH swings, and low oxygen levels gradually weaken shrimp over time, making them prone to disease. Maintain pristine water quality with frequent testing and water changes.
Improper Diet
Malnutrition from inadequate or inappropriate foods leaves shrimp weakened and susceptible to illnesses. Offer a varied diet of proteins, vegetables, and calcium-rich foods.
Incompatible Tankmates
Nipping fish, aggressive shrimp species, or predators will gradually pick off ghost shrimp. Choose peaceful community tankmates and provide plenty of hiding spots.
Unsuitable Environment
Improper temperature, water chemistry, lack of plants and hides, or frequent disruptive tank maintenance stresses shrimp out. Match conditions to natural habitat.
Parasitic Infections
Slow deaths from parasites like Scutariella are common if they are not treated quickly. Isolate new shrimp and plants to avoid introducing pathogens.
How Can I Stop My Ghost Shrimp From Dying?
If your ghost shrimp are dying, here are some troubleshooting tips:
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Test water quality – Check ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, GH, KH, and make immediate adjustments if necessary.
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Improve diet – Feed a variety of proteins, veggies, calcium-rich foods. Supplement with minerals.
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Reduce stresses – Add more hiding spots, plants, remove aggressive tankmates, use dim lighting.
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Treat diseases – Use shrimp-safe antibacterials, antifungals, antiparasitics as needed.
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Increase oxygen – Add airstone, improve surface agitation, reduce bioload.
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Isolate new arrivals – Quarantine all new shrimp, plants, decorations to prevent disease transmission.
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Avoid toxins – Use water conditioners, test for heavy metals like copper, perform extra water changes after treatments.
How to Prevent Future Ghost Shrimp Deaths
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to shrimp keeping. Here are some proactive steps you can take:
Choose Healthy Shrimp
Pick active shrimp with full, bright coloration from tanks with low deaths. Avoid shrimp from crowded, dirty tanks which are more prone to carrying pathogens.
Quarantine All New Arrivals
Set up a separate 10-20 gallon quarantine tank. Observe new shrimp for at least 30 days before adding to your main tank, to catch latent diseases.
Maintain Stable, Pristine Water
Test for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, GH, KH at least weekly and use partial water changes to keep levels ideal.
Feed a High-Quality Varied Diet
Offer a mix of proteins, vegetables, and calcium sources. Supplement with mineral blocks. Avoid overfeeding.
Design a Naturalistic Tank
Planted tanks with driftwood, rock caves, low water flow, and dim lighting reduce stress on shrimp.
Choose Suitable Peaceful Tankmates
Avoid housing ghost shrimp with aggressive fish like bettas, cichlids, goldfish that may prey on them.
Losing ghost shrimp unexpectedly can be disheartening, but is often easily preventable. By observing your shrimp closely, testing your tank water, and making adjustments to their environment and care, you can identify and correct the issue, whether it be molting problems, disease, poor water quality, or other factors. With proper tank maintenance and care, ghost shrimp can thrive for years in home aquariums.
WATER CHANGES – SMALL AND OFTEN
Going along with the theme of keeping things stable, try not to do sudden, large water changes. It is much better to do smaller, more frequent water changes, than large ones. You should slowly drip the new water into the aquarium. You could shock the shrimp into molting too soon if you do too big of a water change too quickly. This makes them more vulnerable and can kill your shrimp.
WHAT DID YA FILL ‘ER UP WITH?
Consider the water source that you used to fill up your tank. Depending on the city you live in, municipal tap water can vary widely.
In many places, chlorine and sometimes chloramine are used to clean the water for people to drink, but they are not safe for shrimp. Chlorine can usually be “gassed off” by letting it aerate for 24 hours. But chloramine, which is chlorine and ammonia mixed together, needs to be taken out using a dechlorinator that says it can get rid of both of these dangerous chemicals. Well water can also contain heavy metals (iron, copper, bacteria, pesticides).
You can test your water with a kit, call a local supplier, or go to the EPA’s website to find out if there are harmful chemicals in it.
A Reverse-Osmosis Filter is the safest thing to do if all of this seems like too much work or if you just want to be extra careful. This unit needs to be set up, but it will get rid of all possible impurities. Many fish stores in the area also sell RO water that has already been filtered.
This is obvious to long-time fish/shrimp keepers, but it is especially important for shrimp. It is important to make sure that your planted tank is fully cycled before you buy shrimp. Even after it is, don’t buy them right away because biofilm, which is important for shrimp health, needs time to grow. Shrimp appreciate a well-established tank, with algae and biofilm to munch on. You should add bacteria supplements to help this process along.
Where you buy your freshwater shrimp is going to be a big determinant in their survival. Imported shrimp are going to have a harder time adapting than locally bred shrimp. Many shrimp are sourced overseas- be careful of this. When this happens, they are usually coming from a wild or farmed habitat. They are used to these water parameters and conditions. Then they are caught, put in bags, sent a long way, stay in bags for days or weeks, and finally get to your house or store. When they get to the U.S., they are much more likely to be sick or stressed, which usually ends their lives.
Imported shrimp are more likely to come with or develop usually-rare diseases, like parasites or fungal infections.
Shrimp Infected with Vorticella Parasite
This is why it’s better to buy shrimp from a reputable online store with good reviews, like Buce Plant Shrimp Packs, or from shrimp farms close to where you live. There will be information on the site or you can ask the seller what conditions the shrimp are kept in. This way, you can be sure that they will be under much less stress, which will help them get used to their new home and cause fewer or no deaths. Of course, there is always a chance a shrimp is born with unlucky genes. Just like humans who get sick or are immune-compromised, the same happens with shrimp. If it is just one shrimp that perishes, it is not a huge concern.
Although shrimp are hardy, they do not like sudden changes. Acclimation should be a slow process. The best way to achieve this is by using the drip acclimation method:
1. Pour the shrimp, and the water they came in, into a container. 2. Set up a drip system, by using an airline hose from your tank to their container. 3. Put in your tank water slowly, about two drops at a time, until you own half of the water in the bin. 4. You can repeat this process for as long as you’d like. This way, they will not be shocked by their new temperature or parameters.