CRS Potential issue (Help needed)

[Marine Life Drew]

So I recently looked at my tank and saw that one of my Crystal Red Shrimp has a weird deformity on her head. All of the other shrimp have been doing fine. I'm worried it may be the water parameters at my college in Florida. I don't know what kind Ph, Kh, or hardness I'm getting right now. I did recently see a new red crystal baby so some of them must be doing decent enough. Any ideas?

[jayc]

Looks like a molting issue.

She looks to be having issues molting properly.

It's most certainly an issue with water parameters.

[Marine Life Drew]

17 minutes ago, jayc said:

Looks like a molting issue.

She looks to be having issues molting properly.

It's most certainly an issue with water parameters.

Is it going to be fatal or is this something I could fix later down the road once I can get an RO unit to help soften the water?

[jayc]

1 hour ago, Marine Life Drew said:

Is it going to be fatal

Hard to say, as I have not experienced this personally. 

 

Can anyone else comment?

 

 

 

[Zoidburg]

Without knowing the GH and KH of the water, using liquid test kits, I'd say it's hard to tell for sure....

Test strips just aren't nearly as accurate and can be more limiting in information.

 

Regardless of whether or not she survives, you may still need to change your water parameters. If the water parameters are within acceptable ranges, then it could be a "one off" thing and you shouldn't change anything *unless* you start seeing more shrimp with this issue.

[anthonyd]

Very little chance that she will make it.

Failed molts can come from a variety of reasons: parameters, pollutants in the water, active substrate at the end of its life and occasionally from illness.

Clean water with the right parameters is ALL crs need....

[jayc]

@anthonyd, good to see you back in SKF, it's been a while. 

[anthonyd]

21 hours ago, jayc said:

@anthonyd, good to see you back in SKF, it's been a while. 

Thanks jayc, juggling college, work and the kids doesnt leave much time for shrimps !