No saddle for 2 months RCS

[Clutchology]

Hey guys

 

All started when i had to go away for my wedding for a week. Left 2 large mulberry leaves in there so the shrimps will stay fed. But the leaves ended up clogging the sponge filter - significantly reducing the flow. So i did my WC etc to clear the water up. Didn't detect any deaths. That was 2 months ago

 

Since then I've yet to see a saddle on the any of my females. While previously they were breeding non stop since i started the tank in March. On top of this i noted 2 random deaths over the last month

 

Is it just this time of the year they don't saddle up? or have i screwed up somehow?

 

Am: 0

Nitrite: 0

Nitrate: 20-30ppm

GH: 5

KH 1

TDS 130

Eheim heater set at 24 degrees +/- 0.5

 

Thanks in advance

[jayc]

They might be missing something.

When ever I want my shrimp to get berried, I prep them with protein diet. 

Frozen blood worms and/or Lowkeys B18 Power Protein tablets.

And I add Blackwater extract.

 

You should try that.

[Squiggle]

Nitrates look a little high, maybe do a few small WC's & this might spark them into the mood to breed.

[Clutchology]

Thanks for the replies

 

I just did a 15-20% wc 3 days ago, you reckon I should do a 50% now?

 

I normally change 15-20% every week using drip method

Edited September 5, 2014 by Clutchology

[Clutchology]

i usually feed them spinach every 2-3 days then 1 large mulberry leaf on the weekend. 

 

If i manage to find some b18 or bloodworm ill give it a shot. Kinda annoying when its hard to get shrimp gear in perth  ;\

Edited September 5, 2014 by Clutchology

[OzShrimp]

You dont want to over do it especially if your only running sponge filters as you dont want to kill off all your bacteria on the sponges.

All my shrimp moult and get berried at time of water change to :).

 

I am one of those people who think shrimp arent as sensitive to water changes as most make out. Personally when i do my water changes i just pour the water in out of the bucket. My temp might drop 1 degree or so but i never lose shrimp surrounding a water change. If i am worried about the temp being too cold going in i sit my bucket in front of the heater for a couple of minutes lol.

 

If you are keeping CRS in your tank you may want to consider dropping your heater temp to 22/23 its only a couple of degrees but they prefer the cooler water and as winter is now over when it warms up it gives you a couple more degrees leeway if you dont have a chiller

[OzShrimp]

i usually feed them spinach every 2-3 days then 1 large mulberry leaf on the weekend. You reckon I should feed them something like crab cuisine to give them more protein?

Shrimp like a variety of food and there is some stuff they wouldnt be getting from just the natural stuff. Because their scavengers shrimp would in most cases eat everytime you put something in the tank.

Personally i feed atleast once daily if i am working, if i am off and i got shrimplets or lots of juvies i feed twice a day and mix the food up that i give them.

 

Everyone is different though 

Have a look at this topic and get some ideas on what people think of most of hte commercial varieties 

http://shrimpkeepersforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/3280-shrimp-food-reviews/

Edited September 5, 2014 by OzShrimp

[Sprae]

Once a month, do a bigger 30-40% WC is always helpful. But yeah, I'd follow what Squiggle said, by adding more protein to the diet at least 2 twice a week. Also, monitor if they are all moulting ok abd regularly, as that helps indicate breeding cycles.

[Clutchology]

Thank you so much for the replies.

I've been feeding them more protein recently - crab cuisine and ebita breed Quattro 2. There signs of small saddles returning on some of the females. I also notice a rather dark spot at the back of the head on most shrimps, I'm guessing it's because of the change to a high protein diet? They're also notable more sluggish atm. I guessing its the darkess before dawn scenario? Once they moult they should be ok I hope. I've done a 30-40%wc change 4 days ago.

I can't seem to get reliable frozen blood worms here in perth, and I'm worried about the parasites/bad bacteria that may come with them.

[BlueBolts]

I use the hikari frozen blood worms and should be readily available in mist LFS....They've been zapped and a free of harmful bacteria, parasite ....

[newbreed]

I found my tanks in the garage were devoid of saddles for a couple of months over winter, now returning. I believe ambient temp fluctuations make an impact.

I find adding a small amount of black water extract and feeding small amounts of bloodworms helps kick things off again. As mentioned above.