Dead Fireshrimp

[TammyLynn]

Dead Fireshrimp..help?

This morning during feeding I noticed my fire shrimp was dead. When I pulled him out he was obviously in the process of shedding.
Does anyone know of this happening? Or was this from a different cause?

The only other tankmates (50 gal tank) is another fire shrimp and a goby, so I doubt foul play was the problem.

I understand that these things happen but as a new fishowner I am obviously a little concerned.

Thanks for any help!

 

[TammyLynn]

ANOTHER ONE!

Today my other fire shrimp died! It was the same thing, he was half-molted and laying dead at the bottom of my tank!!

He was alive 2 hours ago when I was feeding him and my goby. I could hardly see him behind a rock but his antennae were moving so I assumed he was alive.

Now I have a 55 gallon saltwater tank which is hosting nothing but a lonesome goby

Anyone have any idea of what could have caused this? They have been in the tank for at least 2 months, and seemed healthy and happy.

 

[BrianH]

Have you done any water tests? What are the results?

Brian

 

[TammyLynn]

The water test ok, although there seems to be some ammonia present. Also, the tank is usually around 86 degrees.

Tomorrow we are taking a sample to the fish store to have them check it for us to make sure.

 

[BrianH]

Any ammonia in the water can be deadly to inverts. I would also be careful with the temp. While 86 is fine, once you get in the 88-90 range, you will start stressing out your tank and losing inhabitants.

Brian

 

[eseow]

Tank sonds too hot and ammonia is not good. For a tanks thats over 2 months there should not be any ammonia present. Does this tank have live rock??? The biological filtration seems to be going or vewry weak that tis point.

 

[TammyLynn]

Yes the tank is several months old, although has only been in my house for 1 month... my sister had to deploy overseas suddenly and the tanks were brought to my house so I don't know a ton about fishkeeping just yet.

There is live rock in the tank, and it is still alive and growing.

I am not sure why the ammonia is there, or maybe I did the test wrong, which is why I need to go by the fish store to get it checked by pros.

The heat is stable at the 86 degree mark, I know it is high but I don't have A/C here and its been hot this summer. I will checkon getting a chiller when I go by fishstore.

 

[BrianH]

It would probably be cheaper to buy a window air conditioner. That way you can benefit from the cooling also.