Saturday, April 24, 2010

Do Ghost Shrimp Die When They Lay Their Eggs?

So, I have a 10 g. tank I got maybe 2 weeks ago and I put 1 Sunrise Plattee, 1 baby/small Colombian Shark, and 2 ghost shrimp. Both of my shrimp were pregnant, but I don't how long they were pregnant. Anyway, one day I found that 1 of my shrimp was gone, and it wasn't hiding, my sister said she say a skin/molting of it, but she wasn't sure. Then maybe a day or two after the first one disapeared my second one did. I doubt my fish ate them because they (I don't think) can even fit them in their mouth(s)....but now I don't know what to beleive.

Do Ghost Shrimp Die When They Lay Their Eggs?
I'd say the most likely cause of their disappearance is the Colombian shark. These can, and will eat anything they can fit in their mouths. And by the time they're full grown (14 inches) they'll be way too big for your tank. Although these are sold as "freshwater", they need to be in a brackish (with marine salt added to the water) tank when their young and need to be in full saltwater as an adult. This isn't a good fish for your tank! If you like him, it would be better to get him his own tank (a large one!)
Reply:this website should help


http://www.centralpets.com/animals/fish/...
Reply:Your platy could have eaten them. Or more likely they crawled out of your tank because thats what happend to 2 of mine on 2 different occasions. You may find a little dried up shrimp on the floor somewhere. If they moulted then they would be really soft so it would also have been easy for them to be eaten. Not sure if that helps.
Reply:No they do not die after they spawn they actually carry the eggs on their legs until they hatch. Your Colombian shark ate them with out a doubt. They have MUCH larger mouths than you think and LOVE shrimp. Also you should be aware that Colombian sharks get quite large (at least 12" but it can grow up to 2 feet and No fish do NOT only grow as large as a tank will allow) and will quickly outgrow that 10 gal tank and it will also make short order of your platy. I would STRONGLY recommend either getting a larger tank for the shark or finding it a new home. Also another little known fact about Colombian sharks is that they in the wild live in estuaries (where fresh water mixes with the ocean.) when they are very young then move to the ocean as they get larger so sea salt is absolutely necessary in increasing amounts as the shark gets larger or it will die. They are also quite susceptible to ick as they do not have scales as other fish do you must keep up on the maintenance and partial water changes. In short they really are not a good beginner fish and REALLY not a good match for platy's, shrimp, tetras etc.


Sorry about your ghost shrimp they are fun little critters to watch.
Reply:I think it just a little coincidence. I aggree with fantasti... whatever the rest of his name is.

paper bush

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