Please Help with Cleaner Shrimp!!!!

[brad knox]

I purchased two cleaner shripm yesterday and lost both of them. I have a 55 gal tank that cycled about 4 weeks ago and I have had fish in there since then, I also have twp peppermint shrimp with no issues and several crabs and snails. I havnt lost anything until these cleaner shrimp yesterday. I acclimated them for over an hour using the float method and adding some of my water a little at a time, they were doing great floating in the bag. I released in the water and I found one stuck to the my power filter and when I cut it off he fell to the bottom on his back. It was about 2 or 3 minutes later when I noticed by peppermint shrimp had hauled him off and was making dinner. The other one just set on my live rock not moving for several minutes he later on to was found in the hands of my peppers. I tested the water and all parameters were fine. I purchased another cleaner shrinp today in hopes that the problem I had was inproper acclimation. I acclimated him for 2 hours and released him and he was doing fine for about 3 hours he hanged around a coral banded shrimp that I also just purchased that is doing great, I later found him attached to the power filter, I immediately turned it off and he fell on his back to the floor. He finaly stood on his legs and is moving around some now. I took a peice of tubing off the power filter and its now about 8 inches off the floor it used to be about 2 inches. Can anyone help me please? Here are the water parameters and they have stayed constant for 3 weeks.
Temp 80 degrees
PH 8.2
Amm 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20
Salinity 124

 

[durabane]

Well all I know is about a week after I bought my pair they both decided to molt. I was like dang lost my cleaners. about a week later I saw both of them running arouns and was told that they will molt and leave behind a exact replica of themselves while they go and toughen up. As for your powerheads they make a sponge guard that works really well petsmart has them they will fit most powerheads and protect your fish and your shrimps. and make nice collection sites for overfeed where your shrimps and snails can clean them up later.
Also I run my tank at 76 degrees I was told anything over 78 could be lethal to some inverts.
well there is my 2 cents hope it helps

 

[brad knox]

Thanks for the info, its very confusing on the temp, I have seen several different thoughts on what the temp should be and have no idea whats proper. This shrimp suppose to be easy to keep so I dont know what else is going on. The only problem Im currently having is diatoms which is due to using tap water. I have placed an order for the 6 stage ro/di unit off ---- that everyone seems to recommend. Wish I knew what it was. Thanks

 

[brad knox]

Oh I forgot to say that my peppers have both molted and are fine. I understand what molting is and this definatelt isnt that. The one cleaner is now laying on his side again, just a matter of time for the peppers get him.

 

[bang guy]

Acclimation proceedures are listed on the left. Just click on the button labeled "Acclimation".
78F is too cold for most Cleaner Shrimp but fine for Peppermint cleaners.

 

[barry cuda]

78 is too cold for most cleaners? Really? I've never run across that tidbit before, Bang. What's a more appropriate temp?

 

[bang guy]

80 - 85F is more appropriate except for Peppermints. There are 3 species of Peppermints that I know of and they all prefer cooler water. The Carribean Specie can handle up to 85F but the others cannot.

 

[barry cuda]

I might have to rethink the temp in our main tank then. I've tried to keep it stable at 78, but we have 3 skunk cleaners. Maybe I should keep it at 80 instead. Is there any truth to what I've heard that cyanobacteria grows faster at higher temps? I've fought an on-again-off-again battle with cyano for a while now, and am finally getting the upper hand with nutrient reduction.

 

[neoreef]

Originally posted by Bang Guy
78F is too cold for most Cleaner Shrimp but fine for Peppermint cleaners.
Here's a vet duo's info on the web:
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
(Lysmata amboinensis)
Care Level: Easy
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 2"
Color Form: Red, White
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Indonesia, Sri Lanka
Family: Hippolytidae
How is the average aquarist to judge/research these things? Guy's many years of experience holds a lot of weight with me... I tried to find out via web cruizing (google, etc.) the average temperature of various tropical seawaters, and found nothing but overcolored satelite shots that were not helpful for my purposes.
Please Guy, what is your source for temperature of oceans, etc. I like to look these things up and refer to them frequently. Because I forget stuff a lot.
:joy:

 

[beckzilla]

Originally posted by Bang Guy
Acclimation proceedures are listed on the left. Just click on the button labeled "Acclimation".
Brad, definitely do the drip acclimation method and do it for longer than stated. It wont hurt to do it longer.

 

[beckzilla]

Originally posted by Bang Guy
80 - 85F is more appropriate except for Peppermints. There are 3 species of Peppermints that I know of and they all prefer cooler water. The Carribean Specie can handle up to 85F but the others cannot.
Bang, is running at 80 degrees harmful to any corals, crabs snails,etc.?The reason i ask is that i have been running at 78 for a long time and my cleaner is doing fine but if 80 is even better for him i will change to 80.

 

[beckzilla]

bump for Bang

 

[bang guy]

I'm running my current system at 83F.
As far as cyano growing faster at higher temps - Yep! It sure will.
According the NOAA the average sea temp around the coral reefs in Indonesia is 83F. Sri Lanka is 84F. It would be disappointing for the Scarlet Cleaners to learn that they can't live there. Also, the water temp rarely dips below 80F in that area.

 

[neoreef]

?
Thanks, Guy,
Kathy

 

[neoreef]

Found NOAA, still can't get ocean temps... why is this so difficult?

 

[bang guy]

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.