How hot can our native shrimp handle?

[NoGi]

How hot is too hot for our native shrimp? Thought that with the recent heat waves it would be a good time to ask.

[jayc]

I'm sure you mean water temps right?

Cause a 40degC air temperature doesn't mean the water temps are also 40degC.

 

I wouldn't have any idea personally. 

But I'd guess 40degC water temps is definitely too hot. Short bursts of 30degC might be ok. But prolonged 30+ is probably fatal for them.

 

 

[NoGi]

Yeah, water temps. Mine is currently sitting on 31 and they seem ok and going about as per usual.

[fishmosy]

Depends on the species. I've caught macros out west in water that was > 30*C. I suspect that for most species, 28-30 is pushing it. 

[Baccus]

I think there are a few other factors aside from just the water temp that will determine if the shrimp survives the heat or not.

Things like the water flow in the tank, even if the water is warm/hot with good water movement it has a better chance of cooling down even if it is just a degree or two. Much like in a house with only the aircon on with no air movement supplied by say ceiling fans. Turning fans on at the same time as the aircon really does help make the temperature feel more pleasant.

Then there is where did that particular shrimp species/ sub species originate from? I suspect that a local glass shrimp or macro is going to do better in my tanks than if I got some from either further south or north. Northern species might handle the heat but may really suffer from cooler weather in winter.

Over crowding, we all know how over crowding can be the underlaying cause of diseases and death, so add in an extended or unaccustomed high temp and I bet the shrimp wont handle it, while a less crowded tank with other wise exact same paramaters would not have any issues.

Acclimatisation, I have found that with other species of fish that I intend to keep outdoors year round it is best to buy the young stock in spring and let them gradually acclimatise to the water temp as spring changes to summer and the eventual cooling as it drags on to winter. I do the opposite with fish I keep in tanks with heaters if they are a cool water fish like Borneo Suckers. I buy them in early winter and then let them grow accustomed to the gradually warming temp as summer approaches.

[NoGi]

Thankfully, it's a 4ft tank that was setup for sulas so these guys are used to warmer temps and it's very under stocked. In terms of water flow it has a eheim 2217 with only noodles and media balls and 2 x otto internal power head filters. Temps have been 30 degrees the past couple of days and they don't seem stressed but if it looks like hotter days to come, I'm going to start using the A/C or throw in some ice packs to bring the temps down.

[Baccus]

Because I'm at work all day the option of icebricks in my tanks is not really viable (that and 40 degree heat making ice last about 5 minutes), so to try and keep my tanks cooler I have open topped tanks, usually high surface agitation from the filters, airstones bubbling 24/7. And if I am really worried I reduce my tanks lights times, so the tank is not being heated by the ambient temp as well as heat generated by the light. Almost all of my tanks also have external filters so there is no heat being generated by a motor that's submerged in the tank.

[Paul Minett]

last year over the worst of the heat a couple of my tanks sat around 30 for nearly 3 weeks peaking at 36 the riffles and macros and cherry actually berried and seemed happy. As already stated at higher temps the tanks require more oxygen and water flow cut feeding way down as the food breaks down a lot faster so can cause issues cut the light back as well to reduce algae blooms and heat  if the system is clean and healthy the shrimp will survive they probably like us don't enjoy the high temps but can tolerate them for a while if we help.  

[Zebra]

Yep I def didn't realise how serious @fishmosy was about the temp with caridina zebra, 

forgot to turn their fan on one night recently and lost 4. 

As soon as temp goes above 23c they get shaky as fishmoay said.

window AC going in their cupboard rigged to a temp controller very soon.

Even though it was at night this happened, I have still changed the lighting hours to include more light in the cooler hours of the night rather then when it's hottest in the day to help keep the system cool but still maintains nice biofilm.

I guess reaffirm what's said above, Up the oxygen as molecules are further apart the hotter it is etc.

Edited December 20, 2016 by Zebra