Water Change Killing My Ghost Shrimp

[underratedpets]

I recently set up a new 10 gallon fish tank for my beautiful butterfly betta (fully cycled.) He has lots of friends. 2 cory catfish, 1 ghost shrimp, live plants, and a little snail who I just noticed the other day (must have hitched a ride on one of the plants). Yes, my betta is super laid back and does not mind his tank mates.

Although, after doing my first water change on my tank I noticed 2 days after that my ghost shrimp died. I thought it was maybe due to the API PH down chemical I put in the water with the water change (first time using).. after his death I went to the store and purchased 2 more ghost shrimp. I did my first water change with them in the tank yesterday (I do a 25-50% water change every week)

Next day one of my shrimp died. The other one seems okay. I did not use PH down. I have been having a hard time tackling to lower my PH. The PH down did not help lower my PH, most likely due to the hardness of my water. I have yet to test it, but I know that my water is on the harder side.

After taking the dead shrimp out I tested my water and these were the results:

PH: 8.0-8.2
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm

Does anyone know if my PH has something to do with my shrimps death? is it due to the water change? PH? Hardness of my water?

 

[nikm128]

DON'T chase PH, it just causes problems. Stable is better than perfect

Do you know the GH and KH?

 

[underratedpets]

DON'T chase PH, it just causes problems. Stable is better than perfect

Do you know the GH and KH?

no not yet, could this be causing the problem? I plan on ordering the test kit. Do you recommend I do this?

 

[ETNsilverstar]

It could be the issue, or it could simply be that they weren't well cared for at the store. They're generally sold as feeders, so it's not uncommon for them to be in poor health and die quickly. Also, if they were white, they likely had muscular necrosis which tends to kill pretty quickly.

 

[nikm128]

no not yet, could this be causing the problem? I plan on ordering the test kit. Do you recommend I do this?

It's either a water problem, or they're not healthy shrimp. I definitely recommend you get the test kit

 

[Jellibeen]

I do not recommend adding the pH down. Your pH is high, but critters should be able to adjust to it. It’s better for them to have a pH that stays the same than a pH that is changing constantly.

Like what was said above, ghost shrimp are often sold as feeders so they may not be in the best health. How long did you have them before they died? Maybe next time get them right after you do your weekly water change, that way they have a whole week to adjust before going through the stress of a water change.

Edit: I’m guessing you do because all your other fish are fine, but I am checking that you add a water conditioner and temperature match new water.

 

[underratedpets]

I do not recommend adding the pH down. Your pH is high, but critters should be able to adjust to it. It’s better for them to have a pH that stays the same than a pH that is changing constantly.

Like what was said above, ghost shrimp are often sold as feeders so they may not be in the best health. How long did you have them before they died? Maybe next time get them right after you do your weekly water change, that way they have a whole week to adjust before going through the stress of a water change.

Edit: I’m guessing you do because all your other fish are fine, but I am checking that you add a water conditioner and temperature match new water.

I had them a week before they died. They seem happy and healthy to me, but after the water change I noticed the one who died was frantically swimming around and being out of character.

I use water conditioner and my tank is heated to 78 degrees. I try my best to match the water temperatures by using my finger. Another thing to add, when I do water changes I let the water sit for about 20 minutes. Does anyone suggest waiting longer to let the gasses escape prior to putting it in my fish tank?

 

[Jellibeen]

I had them a week before they died. They seem happy and healthy to me, but after the water change I noticed the one who died was frantically swimming around and being out of character.

I use water conditioner and my tank is heated to 78 degrees. I try my best to match the water temperatures by using my finger. Another thing to add, when I do water changes I let the water sit for about 20 minutes. Does anyone suggest waiting longer to let the gasses escape prior to putting it in my fish tank?

I’ve read that it’s best to let the water sit for 24 hours to allow gases to escape. However, I don’t do this, and I believe most members don’t. Have you tested your pH right out of the tap? If it is super high, then maybe you should try letting the water sit for longer. Usually I think it wouldn’t be an issue.

 

[nikm128]

Yes sometimes the PH and KH are super high from the tap, but then they gas off after 24 hours and drop. So if that's happening the shrimp would be dying from constant PH and KH swings

 

[ETNsilverstar]

You only need to worry about letting the water sit if the pH swings. I'd test the water straight from the tap and let a bowl of it sit out overnight then test again. It will only give a small view of what might be happening though, so I'd also recommend getting the gH/kH tests. If you want to see more of what's happening, I'd also recommend getting a TDS meter, though ghost shrimp don't care as much about specific values as some other shrimp do.

 

[underratedpets]

Update: I have been letting my water sit for 24 hours before adding it to the tank and I have not lost another shrimp since! Thank you everyone who has helped!