Pete

Well, I am perplexed and concerned at the same time. Three days ago I added 8 Amano (Japonica) shrimp and two Flower shrimp to our 60 gallon tank. This morning, we found one of the Flower shrimp had died, and for the life of me I can't seem to find ANY Amano's. There should be 10 total in the tank. Now, as for hiding spots we have a large piece of wood that has a lot of crevasses and some java moss. We also have some quartzite that I have arranged to make a little cave. The tank is planted with sprite, grasses, broadleaf, etc. and should be ok for them. All levels in the tank are fine, and I have been doing regular water changes. The temperature is kept between 78 and 80 degrees.

The biggest fish in the tank is a male powder blue dwarf gourami, and he is not quite full grown. I did witness one of the red-eyed tetras grab an Amano by the tail and swim around with it for awhile, while being chased by other fish. Surely Tetras aren't big enough to eat Amanos.

So, the questions remain:
1) Could be fish be eating the shrimp?
2) Could the shrimp just be masterful hiders?
3) Have I lost my marbles this early? (please don't answer this one)

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Pete

Fishies-for-me

I would vote 3 ...but I don't know you well enough...lol ( I know you said don't answer this one ...but I couldn't resist.)

sirdarksol

I once had three full-grown Amano shrimp hiding in my aquarium for over a year and I never saw them. I had a goldfish in the tank that liked eating inverts, and I eventually presumed that he'd gotten to the Amano.
Last year, I broke the tank down to add a UGF, and found the shrimp. They had remained hiding in the tank the entire time.

I learned two things from this.
#1, Amanos are extremely intelligent for having such a simple nervous system. They know, or can learn, what fish present a danger to them.
#2, Amanos are incredible hiders.

It is possible that your gourami ate them. If it got its mouth on one while they were molting, it would love to snack on them. However, they are fast, they are smart, and they can hide. They're probably fine (though you'll likely not see them).

MizRamzi

I've had the same issue. And until I did some research I didn't know where mine were going either. Well I found out that these little guys love to walk out of the tank, if given the right conditions. Out of ten I've got one left. He/she seems to be content for now.

babyblu

and I have to say, that this really made me laugh... at the poor Shrimp's expense. It is just that it was so unexpected! lol.

Are Tetras big enough to eat Amanos?

I still think that they're just hiding - REALLY well.

Ricardo_NY1

I would probably think they are hiding..........I think shrimp move around more openly when they are by themselves in their own tank, but hide more when around fish. I'd keep an eye on the tank, if they're still alive, you'll eventually see them. Amano shrimp after a while react to feeding times just like your fish............they come racing to get their share. I've never seen this with the dwarf shrimp I keep, but noticed it right away with the Amano Shrimp.