Warning

[Tetras]

I bought 3 cherry shrimp for my 10 gallon tank, I am running an AquaClear 20 filter.

I had allready asked on this forum if I should cover up the intake of the filter since I worried about the shrimp getting sucked up. I did get a responce and the person told me that it wouldn't hurt to do so.

Anyway, I failed to cover up the intake in time (tool), since I run the filter on low and judging the size of the shrimp, I thought it would not be a problem. So today I do my partial water change and when I turn my filter back on, it dosen't start up, there was debris on the propellor, so I take the whole thing apart and on the bottom is a shrimp staring at me, alive and moving, bodyparts intact. She had survived in there for 3 days, she had gone missing, and figured she was hiding, seems shrimps to this a lot, so thank god my filter failed to start so I had to take it apart. She is a live and well, eating and swimming, so my shrimp patrol is back together again.

I just wanted to let you guys know, I have read so much about these shrimp, and have not yet found a post about fullgrown shrimp being sucked up in this type of filter, the people at my lfs failed to mention this as well (not surprising)

This was totally preventable, intake is now fitted with fishnet, and I can only blame myself for this. Just happy that she is okay.

PS. For anybody considering Red Cherry Shrimp, buy them, absolutely worth the money, great entertainment and cuteness factor. (cycled tank only in my opinion)

 

[wodesorel]

Yeah, Aquaclears are actually pretty famous for sucking up shrimp, or anything else that can fit past the slats. I'm sorry I didn't see your original post! I fitted the intake tube of my filter with half of a foam filter insert, and it works great, too.

Whispers have such small openings on the intake tube that they're better for shrimp tanks, but IMO they don't clean or move the water as well.

I'm glad your one girl is okay! Shrimp are pretty hardy, but keep an eye on her just in case.

 

[Tetras]

I regret not posting in tropical chit chat first, this is why I write it here now, seems to be where there is the most activity.

I will for sure keep an eye on her, my nose have allready left permanent mark on glass since I bought them.

 

[vancouver]

Sponges for sponge filters work well too.. I cut one of those to fit over my intake.. works well too

 

[Tetras]

Great, I will look for the sponge tomorrow, my fishnet is an amateur solution at best, because even though they can't get sucked up, their legs could still get caught or antennas (don't know the proper name, the things they are sporting on top of nose)

Thanks so much for the replies, much appreciated.