2 Amano Shrimp Have Vanished?

[wonger]

20 gallon heavily planted tank

5 neon tetras
5 black neon tetras
5 black widow tetras
3 platties
4 guppys
5 amano shrimp

the 5 amano shrimps were added on sunday, everything seemed fine until thursday morning when i could only find 4 and a complete empty looking shell including legs and tenticles slumped over a plant leaf, i then spent considerable time looking for the missing shrimp thinking it had shed its shell but didnt find it and came to the conclusion it had been eaten, now today i can only find 3 shrimp and cant see any shells anywhere, the largest fish in the tank are the 3 platties at 1" everything else is 3/4" or smaller, i was imformed that the black widows could sometimes be a little nippy, but i didnt consider them a threat to the shrimp, but now im worried that either they or other fish are eating them as ive now spent considerable time looking for the two missing shrimp and cannot find them, even though the tank is heavily planted, i cant imagine during all these searches that we have missed them, will have another jolly good later today, im now worried that their being eaten and the other three are going to be eaten as well, has anyone any experience of this?

the shrimp were between 3/4" & 1" in size and the tank has a good covered lid and the only way they could get out is to climb up through top air vent slits, i cant imagine they have done this and been eaten by the cat

 

[Bloo]

From what I've read, it's not uncommon for Amano shrimp to die during transport - and within the first week.
I lost 3 or 4 during my first week (out of a bunch of 10)
After that, all should be fine (obviously depending on stable good water and non-predatory fish).

Some more info on the here I also did a profile on them here.

 

[wonger]

From what I've read, it's not uncommon for Amano shrimp to die during transport - and within the first week.
I lost 3 or 4 during my first week (out of a bunch of 10)
After that, all should be fine (obviously depending on stable good water and non-predatory fish).

Some more info on the here I also did a profile on them here.

bloozoo2, cheers for reply, ive had amano shrimp die before in my other tank and it was found the next morning curled up and brown in colour laying on the gravel, this time all was well at 11pm, then at 7am one was missing and i noticed the hollow clear shell with legs and tenticles, they dont shed a complete shell with legs and tenticles do they? im puzzled its as if it was completely sucked out its shell and eaten? and of course now a 2nd is missing?

 

[Bloo]

they dont shed a complete shell with legs and tenticles do they?

They do indeed - and fairly regularly. Between the 6 or so I have left, I regularly see a whole hollow "shell", but all are stil there. I don't think any of your fish would have killed one, so not sure what could have caused the death really ?

Ps: What dechlorinator do you use ? One that renders heavy metals harmless too ? (Such as API).

 

[Arfie]

As Bloozoo says they do shed their full skin and mine like to leave them hanging from leaves

You should also be aware that they are masters of hiding sama:

They get braver after a few days too, so don't worry too much about them, you may also find them getting braver if you add more of them and ironically if you give them hiding places, they don;t seeem to need to use them.

Arfie

 

[Broley]

I added 4 amano shrimps to my tank last week and was convinced I had lost one - especially after finding a shell complete with legs/tenticles lying on the gravel - I was gutted. Then the day before yesterday a shelled peas in the water.....and a full head count of 4 shrimps B) he was in hiding. Today we are down to 3 again.......am wondering if another has gone off to get naked

Hope you are as lucky and all yours turn up unharmed and healthy