Disappearing Shrimps

[dr hfuhruhurr]

I have recently started up a 260L medium planted tank with 8 Swordtails and 4 algae shrimps.

The swordtails are happy and playful, but I havent seen two of the shrimps for 2 days, and there are no apparent remains.

Any ideas where they have got to?
Would they bury themselves in the substrate, for instance; or get into the filter (which I havent checked)? Im getting worried about them - the other two shrimps are good hiders but they seem happy (and are slowly changing colour) - it would be nice to know where their brothers are.

Whilst Im here, a couple of other quick questions

The swordtails are very houseproud and interact with the plants and bogwood a lot - keeping them clean and tidy. Can I assume there is no harm in this and that Im feeding them regularly enough?

and I always get a slightly guilty pang when I turn the lights off at night - plunging them straight into darkness. Do any other keepers regulate the lights so they go off gradually, or is this one of those things I shouldnt worry about.

 

[raptorrex]

I have recently started up a 260L medium planted tank with 8 Swordtails and 4 algae shrimps.

The swordtails are happy and playful, but I havent seen two of the shrimps for 2 days, and there are no apparent remains.

Any ideas where they have got to?
Would they bury themselves in the substrate, for instance; or get into the filter (which I havent checked)? Im getting worried about them - the other two shrimps are good hiders but they seem happy (and are slowly changing colour) - it would be nice to know where their brothers are.

Whilst Im here, a couple of other quick questions

The swordtails are very houseproud and interact with the plants and bogwood a lot - keeping them clean and tidy. Can I assume there is no harm in this and that Im feeding them regularly enough?

and I always get a slightly guilty pang when I turn the lights off at night - plunging them straight into darkness. Do any other keepers regulate the lights so they go off gradually, or is this one of those things I shouldnt worry about.

shrimp can be very shy, they cast so they may also be keeping safe,

as for your lights, you need new ballast units if you wish to dim them. (they are a bit pricey) you could add some moonlights, and use a timer as i have. i never need to switch my lights its done for me. no too expensive, moonlights, coldcathode tubes, range from £2.00 to £30 and the timers can be bought for £9.99 for three from argos.

 

[timmystood]

Don't worry too much about not seeing the Shrimp. It isn't uncommon for shrimp to disappear, assumed dead, only to appear again upto one year later! The shrimp are one of those creatures that do great things for your tank so it's best to just put them in and let them get on with it and if you see them then that's great! They should get braver as time goes on.

I wouldn't worry about the sudden drop in lights! The fish won't mind the fact it suddenly goes dark (not unless you have some more tempermental fish, such as the Longhorn Cowfish, which will secrete a venon into the water if the lights suddenly come on!). It is possible to buy timers from DIY stores that turn the lights on and off for you! I have these on all my tanks are a fantastic because if I go out then I don't have to worry about the lights, also, the fish respond to regular lighting patterns.

Your Swordtails will get no harm from inspecting their property! Most liverbearers like to pick at micro-organisms on live plants and bogwood so it's perfectly natural behaviour.

Keep me posted on how things turn out!

Hope this helps
TIM

 

[DarkEntity]

Also dont worry if you see Shrimp skin as they molt

 

[dr hfuhruhurr]

Well two shrimps became three shrimps last night. It seems they have a little commune underneath the bogwood. It took a little inspection - I nearly got the magnifying glass out - but they are definitely there. Its a shame we dont see more of them as they are changing appearance nearly every time I see them.

I have timers for the light, but am waiting for a spare weekend to test them - I can see what ill be doing Christmas Eve. Ill have a trawl around the web for other lighting systems in the New Year, as amongst other things, the tank is now the best lamp in the front room!