Where Are My Shrimp?

[mitch70]

I recentley added 6 ammano shrimp to my fluval 240l tank - other inhabitants are 11 zebra danio , 6 mollies and 8 cory cat fish. They were added about 2 weeks ago.

tank is fully cycled - o ammonia - 0 nitrites - nitrates 20. 20-25% weekly water changes.

I have only ever seen 4 at once, even at feeding time - 4 will come straight out but no sign of other 2.

I have searched the tank with no joy - i have found 1 moulted skin - is it possible they have just moulted and are hiding?

It is a complete mystery.

any suggestions?

 

[ManiacL]

Well the shrimp should be safe from the mollies. The catfish and zebras however are omniverous, and eat insect larvae, etc in the wild. They should be small enough to not be a problem, but can easily gang up and kill a shrimp... especially for the 24hrs after a molt. Shrimp in general are very good at hiding. So if you haven't seen pieces of shrimp, they are most likley still alive, just hiding well. I have somewhere around 30 shrimp in my tank and I won't see more than like 5 out in the open at any given time. If you want to try to get a good head count on them, wait till right before your light turns off and drop a cucumber or zucchini in the bottom of your tank after fasting your shrimp for a couple days. Wait till about 15-20 min after the light flips off and turn it back on. All the shrimp should be either on it or out looking for the treat.