Cleaner Shrimp And Green Algae Problems

[1entra]

Ive noticed a black spot appear on on the inside of the chest of my skunk cleaner shrimp a week or so ago but didnt think much of it. The black spot has now grown and close up looks like it's ribs but I have never seen a black internal spot on any other cleaner shrimp and was hoping somebody could help me ID what may be causing it eg. internal parasite? Also advice on ways to get rid of it!

The shrimp has been feeding fine and does not seemed stressed in any way! Here are some pics, I know they mot brill but they are the best I could get:

Also I have started to get some bright green "algae" on the inside corners of my tank on the sealant and was hoping somebody could help ID what it might be and what might get rid of it? I find it gets in the way of viewing my tank. Also the green layers on the sealant seem to be covered in hundreds of tiny white dots that possible look like larvae or eggs!! But could be anything.
The green is only located in the 4 corners of my tank and non of my snails have so far touched it!

 

[chrissaysyes]

I'm pretty sure that black on the shrimp is poop

 

[Lynden]

The black spot is very possibly (but not certainly) black spot disease, an invasion of chitin eaters. Can be largely prevented with vitamin C but after infection the mortality rate is roughly 100%. It kills when the shrimp ages as the molting frequency wanes. Enjoy/spoil him while he is still living; he is not in any pain as far as I am aware, so euthanasia need not be considered. I apologize for being the prophet of doom here.

On a brighter note the dots are likely foraminifers or any number of microfauna species. The algae can be removed by rubbing with a sponge or fingertip but doing so will partially destroy the habitat for the dudes on the glass. Forams are harmless, but an excessively large group can sap calcium levels.

 

[chrissaysyes]

so yeah...just disregard that post and continue to tell yourself the black spot is just harmless ole poop

 

[1entra]

The black spot is very possibly (but not certainly) black spot disease, an invasion of chitin eaters. Can be largely prevented with vitamin C but after infection the mortality rate is roughly 100%. It kills when the shrimp ages as the molting frequency wanes. Enjoy/spoil him while he is still living; he is not in any pain as far as I am aware, so euthanasia need not be considered. I apologize for being the prophet of doom here.

So you really think this may be black spot? Is it contagious? as i was hoping on getting another shrimp this coming weekend but wont do so if its gona be passed onto the new shrimp? What about other livestock like fish, can they catch it off the shrimp? Also the black section aint a spot as such (although its looks like it is from far), upon close inspection it actually looks like approx10 small individual lines/ribs/worms in the main internal body/chest of the shrimp?

 

[SkiFletch]

I agree with Lynden, sounds like black spot disease, although I have no idea if it's contagious

 

[1entra]

So would you add another shrimp or fish in the tank if you had the same? I do not want to be wasting more money adding new livestock if they will also get it and die!

 

[SkiFletch]

I'm always a fan of the "better safe than sorry" mantra

 

[1entra]

I'm always a fan of the "better safe than sorry" mantra

So you dont recommend adding any livestock at all? Till when?

 

[chrissaysyes]

You're asking because you're worried about black spot?

From what I've read, black spot started from sewage related pollution in crabs...I think it can only be transmitted between crustaceans. I really wouldnt worry about it too much.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, sorry I wasn't clear. I wouldn't add any other shrimp or crabs. All other organisms though, go nuts

 

[1entra]

I came home awile ago to find my cleaner shrimp lieing on it's side on the sand bed in between 2 pieces of LR. It was obviously dead but showed no signs/marks of anything having attacked it or even anything trying to eat it afterwards! My water params are fine other than salinity being a touch higher than normal due to water evaporating! All corals seem happy and none are closed so that to me also confirms water is ok!

The only think I can put the death down to is the internal black spot it had! I have got several hermits ib my tank, all seem to be going about their businuss's just fine. Do you think they will have the same disease/parasite? Unlike the shrimp there is no way of telling with the hermits due to the shells?!

I wa hoping to get another shrimp or 2 tomorow along with a couple more hermits and snails. Do you think I should avoid doing this? If so how long before adding anything else?

 

[SkiFletch]

I'd wait a month before adding other shrimp. Are you sure yours died and didnt just molt?

 

[1entra]

Yep definately died as I got it out of the tank to have a good look in case it had molted!

So would it be ok to get hermits and other inverts apart from shrimp for now then?