cherry shrimp turn white and die shortly after...

[demonte1997]

I don't know what's going on with my shrimp... Seems like every three to four days for the last month, I'll notice one of them turning whitish on its back and then proceed to croak. Anyone got suggestions? I water change them about 40% every three days or so. Water temp is around 83* right now. I use tap water on water changes but run the water for about three minutes to ensure that any potential copper that may have collected in the pipes runs through.

 

[EarthEaterBob]

Molting problem?

 

[demonte1997]

Possibly? There's three of them that look like this right now. I noticed their eyes turn white too. It's disturbing. :/

 

[Jkessler623]

what type of light do you have on the tank?

 

[fishmamma]

Are you using a conditioner before you put the tap water in? You should also check your water perameters..

 

[Koji]

Is your KH/GH very high?

 

[demonte1997]

I use API tap water conditioner very liberally when I do the water changes to try and ensure that there is nothing poisonous left in the water. Have not checked the kh/gh levels in the tank.

 

[stephcps]

I don't to mean to sound sarcastic...just the first few times it happened to me I thought they were dead...are you sure they aren't just molting? Cuz mine always look pretty dead.

 

[demonte1997]

No, they are definitely dead after some time goes by. I've lost what looks like about 5 now in the past three weeks. Seems odd.

To address the lighting, I have a standing room lamp with a flexible neck that goes over the tank. There is a low wattage energy saving bulb in that. I know it sounds ghetto... Is that something that would prove fatal for these shrimp? haha

I also have five amano shrimp in the tank that have been in there longer than these cherries with no issue. I also have two bamboo shrimp that seem to be doing fine.

The deaths seem to also coincide with adding dark gravel to the tank.. but I'm not sure if that is just coincidence...

Thanks again for the suggestions thus far.

 

[demonte1997]

Update:

I checked the PH and it's pretty low at ~6.4. That's what my tap water is at (thought it was closer to 7.0). Anyone recommend a store bought buffer that works well?

Also ordered test kits for copper and KH/GH.

I feed these critters a diet of spirulina flakes and algea wafers... Just added some crab cuisine pellets and they seem to like that more. If this stuff seems wrong, let me know.

Thanks again