Darwin Algae Shrimps jump out of tank = deaths

[Sprae]

Hi guys,

I need some advice as I've lost a few DAS in past week as three have jump out of my housing tank, as I find them dead and dried up. Firstly, is this normal behaviour? None of my other shrimps (cherries, Darwin Red Nose & chameleon shrimps) have ever done that in this tank. I've had no other deaths in the tank either.

The tank parameters;

pH 7.2

TDS 145

Temp 24c

I'll need to check the ammonia and nitrate tonight. Haven't tested for a few weeks.

[Dean]

are there airlines or pipes they can climb on?

all shrimp will climb out any way they can :)

[Sprae]

Plenty. I have 2 air hoses into 2 different sponge filters, heater line, digital thermometer line, and a emersed anubias with some leaves coming out.

[emboli]

DAE are prone to jumping. If you see their behaviour in the tank you will see what i mean.

I suggest you place a lid on the tank to prevent this.

[forocious]

i found that keeping the waterline 5 or more cm below that glass line helps. DAS always jump -.-

[Sprae]

Thanks for the info guys. Might need to gladwrap this tank as the clip on light can't fit the lid.

[fzha8447]

wrap the tank if you don't have lid, that's what I did.

[Juls]

DAS and Cardidina Typus are both land walkers (Typus much more so)

it's not unusual for them to jump or climb out, especially during the first few weeks of settling in.

Typus tend to do it early in the morning, and if you get up early enough you find them wandering around the house still alive (sleep in and they are dead)

I've not noticed a pattern with DAS.

If you have lids, simply fill the gaps with some filter wool, after 2-3 weeks you should be able to remove it as things settle down, put it back in if you do a big water change or similar.

If your lid isn't fitting because of the light, get it cut at your LFS.

Juls

[Sprae]

Thanks Juls, I've glad wrapped this small tank for now. No deaths to speak of.