Suddenly lethargic cleaner shrimp

Eric55 · 07/19/2007, 10:44 AM

Hi,

I have a pair of cleaner shrimp that usually climb over all of my live rock and rarely pass up a chance to crawl on my hand.

Now, both of them spend most of their day out of view behind the rock, and they shy away from my hand when it is in the tank. On the rare occasion one of them has climbed on my hand and "picked" at it, the shrimp had less energy.

I made 2 changes to my tank 3 weeks ago. I renewed my bag of PhosBan, and I started using Seachem's Purigen filtration bag (both are in my refugium).

I tested my water yesterday and the readings were pretty good (except my nitrates were at 7). Today I did a 50% water change.

Any ideas if the Purigen filter might be doing anything to the shrimp?

Thanks, Eric

szwab · 07/19/2007, 11:45 AM

It's possible they or one of them is getting ready to molt or have recently molted. I wouldn't think the purigen would have an effect on them.. If you are worried it's the purigen discontinue it's use store it in a pastic bag. do a water change and see if there is a change in behavior.

Sk8r · 07/19/2007, 11:49 AM

Watch sudden salinity changes with shrimp. They can die of shock.

Likely they are going to molt. They may disappear for a week while shells harden.

07/19/2007, 10:44 AM	#1
Eric55 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 490	Suddenly lethargic cleaner shrimp Hi, I have a pair of cleaner shrimp that usually climb over all of my live rock and rarely pass up a chance to crawl on my hand. Now, both of them spend most of their day out of view behind the rock, and they shy away from my hand when it is in the tank. On the rare occasion one of them has climbed on my hand and "picked" at it, the shrimp had less energy. I made 2 changes to my tank 3 weeks ago. I renewed my bag of PhosBan, and I started using Seachem's Purigen filtration bag (both are in my refugium). I tested my water yesterday and the readings were pretty good (except my nitrates were at 7). Today I did a 50% water change. Any ideas if the Purigen filter might be doing anything to the shrimp? Thanks, Eric

07/19/2007, 11:45 AM	#2
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	It's possible they or one of them is getting ready to molt or have recently molted. I wouldn't think the purigen would have an effect on them.. If you are worried it's the purigen discontinue it's use store it in a pastic bag. do a water change and see if there is a change in behavior. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

07/19/2007, 11:49 AM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Watch sudden salinity changes with shrimp. They can die of shock. Likely they are going to molt. They may disappear for a week while shells harden. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.