save the peppermint shrimp!

[scubagirl12]

I just got some coral and a small peppermint shrimp the tuesday before last. He seemed fairly active but then stayed in one place. I had not seem him for a day so I moved some stuff around and found him struggling. He is alive, but barely, and its a milky white instead of translucent and laying on his back. He was free with the coral, but I still want to save him of course. Any suggestions?
My last water test a few days ago was pH 8.3, 0 ammonia, nitrate, nitries, alkalinity 3.75, and salinity 1.025.

 

[wbholwell]

Are you sure he's not molting?

 

[scubagirl12]

no, im not sure, how can i be for sure?

 

[george]

Couple questions first:

Are you sure it's a peppermint shrimp and not possibly a http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/shrimpcare/l/blpickcamelshri.htm">Camelback Shrimp</a>?
To the molting question, is it possible you're looking at the molt and not the actual shrimp?

Other than that, as pointed out, you may have caught him in the act of molting, which is common for shrimps when introduced into tanks as the calcium and trace element levels can be much higher than in store tanks which will trigger molting if it's due.

 

[wbholwell]

Probably the only way you can tell is if there is any change after a couple of hours, he's most likely molting. Regardless, I doubt there's much you can do for him. Your params look perfect.

 

[scubagirl12]

a closer look makes me think he is molting, but i would just think he would move a bit more. i will give another update in a few hours.

 

[wbholwell]

Yes, keep us posted.

BTW, do you attend Berry college? If so, do you know an Amber Cochran?

 

[xyzpdq0121]

Ya, you do not want to disturb him if he is molting. Interrupting a molt could be very bad.

 

[wbholwell]

Xyzpdq0121;110538 wrote: Ya, you do not want to disturb him if he is molting. Interrupting a molt could be very bad.

Yeah, I had a cleaner shrimp molt in his bag while in transit from PetSolutions.com. I acclimated him very slowly, but he developed a discolored spot on his torso and only lived for 4 or 5 days after that.

 

[scubagirl12]

hate to hear that cause I had to move my tank today and he didn't make it. I guess we will never know if he just didnt acclimate well or was molting. I guess at least he died in a bag instead of the tank.

wbholwell- i looked up amber cochran on facebook. we are in the same class at berry and she looks familiar but i dont actually know her.