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I got 4 amano shrimp for my 10 gallon two days ago to take care of algae. The current occupancy is 6 serpae tetras and now only 2 amano shrimp. I acclimated them the same way I would for fish--pour some aquarium water in, wait, pour some more in, wait, pour some more in, wait, net them into the aquarium. Within 8 hours one was dead. The rest looked fine. They were very active. I have fake plants for them to hide in too. Last night I changed the substrate (took forever). The fish did great, and it appeared as if the shrimp did fine too, but one died today. What is going on and how do I prevent the rest from dying?

-Eric
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Have you tested for ammonia and nitrites? Changing the substrate in a tank can cause a mini cycle and shrimp are sensitive to ammonia. It can be dangerous for the fish too. If in doubt about the water quality do a water change. It probably would have been better to leave the tank sit for a week to let the shrimp acclimate and make sure you had plenty of media in the filters for the bacteria to colonize before changing out the substrate. Some people also change half the substrate at a time instead of all at once.

I know, I wish I would have waited to change it. I tested my ammonia and nitrites. They are both at zero ppm.

-Eric
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

A third died tonight.
I'm really frustrated. I know it wasn't just me changing the substrate because one died before I changed it. I hvae checked my water. 0 ppm nitrite. 0 ppm amonia. pH = 7.4

I can only think of two things. There may be a lack of hiding places for them. I only have two fake plants.

Another thing. When I changed my substrate, I uncovered a filter bag full of peat I had been using to soften the water. It had only been in there maybe 4 weeks. When I first put it in, I had a fear that anearobic bacteria might develope. My fear was realized. When I smelled it, it smelled like rotten eggs. Its gone now. I don't think it affected the water that much. The water never smelled like that, and I smelled it often. Maybe the shrimp are really sensitive to sulfates. It didn't seam to affect my fish though.

Does anyone have any clue why I lost all these shrimp and how I can prevent it in the future if I get more?

-Eric
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

I'm going to post this same topic under the hospital, so you can reply to me there.

-Eric
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."