Zebra Babaulti Shrimp death help

[fango0000]

Hi everyone, 

 

I got about 15 Zebra Babaulti shrimps a few weeks ago and I've been losing a shrimp every 3-4 days since I've got them. I'm honestly not sure why since my tank is mature and the parameters seem to check out. I was wondering if anybody has any insight?  Thanks!

My current tank setup:
- 16 gallon tank w/ fluval 107 canister and rain bar
- Black fluorite sand substrate with lots plants (anubias, moss)
- Boiled malaysian driftwood and rocks
- RO water re-mineralized with saltyshrimp gh/kh+ 
- pH 7.8
- Gh = 8, kH = 3.5
- Temp = 76-81F
- Nitrites 0, ammonia 0, nitrates <5
- a daily small pinch of Bacter AE and shrimpbaby 
- daily 5mm of shrimp king complete sticks
- The only other thing in the tank is an established colony of yellowback neocaridinas who are thriving and breeding.

[jayc]

I don't see anything out of place with those parameters.

Can you ask what parameters they were kept in from the place you bought them? maybe they were kept in very different water parameters.

[sdlTBfanUK]

I also don't see anything wrong with those parameters and from what I've read they like very similar to the neocaridina!

At this point just keep an eye on them, I almost always lose a ew shrimp in the first 2 weeks, especially caridina. If the yellow neocaridina are thriving then there isn't likely to be anything wrong as such with the tank or parameters, but caridina are much more sensitive so  just keep an eye on them for now. 

What water are you using, tap or RO? Neocaridina tend to be ok in tap water, but caridina very rarely do well with tap water even if it has the right parameters (also my experience in the past)!

How many of them are still alive? Where did y get them from, local shop, through post etc?

Before the covid madness I had considered trying the babaulti.

It is probably wiser to wait and watch a it longer as usually messing around with different things can cause more problems than it solves and there may actually not be anything wrong anyway. Keep us updated!

Simon

[fango0000]

@jayc, Here are the parameters from the seller: 

- The only real difference I see is the temperature, although it seems babaultis should be able to go up to 80. 
( I don't have a water chiller so I'm not sure if I can keep the water any cooler in the summer haha.)

 

@sdlTBfanUK, I am using RO water (7-10tds) and remineralizing with saltyshrimp Gh/kh+  to about 180-200 TDS with a gh of 8 and kh of 3-4. 

Right now I think 5 or 6 of them are still alive from my original 15. I got them through a local seller in California. 

 

I'm crossing my fingers that they settle down and no more die. I would really like a breeding a colony of them! 

[sdlTBfanUK]

I don't think the temperature should be a prolem as they prefer warmer water than neocaridina going by the book I have?

I didn't realise you had lost so many, sorry to hear that, that is a higher death rate than would be acceptable/usual! Everything looks like it should be ok from what you have divulged, I also am keeping my fingers crossed these last ones survive!

Those parameters from the seller are the ranges, not HIS ACTUAL tank water parameters.

Simon

[fango0000]

yeah, I'm hoping my last 5 make it. I'm honestly a bit at wits end.

I don't think there's anything else I can think of about the tank to list. I also added a bubbling airstone today so perhaps the extra oxygenation will help. I do want to mention that the babaultis seem to not come forward and eat the shrimp king complete sticks that I use (or any of the 5 other feeds (maulbeere, krautermix, ultra supple, etc) and I'm a bit confused at that as well. Do they have some kind of special food they prefer? 

Hoping if anyone else with babaulti shrimp experience could chime in with some insight ?

Edited May 15, 2021 by fango0000

[jayc]

21 hours ago, fango0000 said:

Hoping if anyone else with babaulti shrimp experience could chime in with some insight 

Have they not eaten since you got them?

Try frozen blood worms. And report back if they eat that or not.

Edited May 16, 2021 by jayc