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Neon Tetra's eat shrimp.
They would, yes, however, OP states he has 50+ shrimp. So this shouldn't exactly be a problem, especially if his tank is well planted.Neon Tetra's eat shrimp.
If the shrimp are indeed turning a milky white, they could probably be dying from a bacterial infection.Thanks for the responses. I also feel that neon tetra predation is minimal if any. I have seen on numerous occasions where shrimps graze and swim by unnoticed. To get an idea of the amount planting and cover I have, here is the tank.
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Yes. The shrimps that are dying are turning a milky white. I purchased a copper test to see if maybe I might have super high copper coming from the tap.
I am thinking the PH would be likely be the issue, although I thought RCS were tolerant of low PH conditions. Also, I wonder if it's possible the the surface slime I have may be limiting oxygen exchange in the water.
I recently isolated some shrimp with vorticella I believe. I did the salt dip thing to eradicate it. Could that be slowly spreading? Don't see it on others. I'm waiting on the copper test to be shipped to me.If the shrimp are indeed turning a milky white, they could probably be dying from a bacterial infection.
How's the copper? Do you have high amounts of copper?
Thanks. The drop checker would register yellow before I turned it down. I have it turned down now to blue greenish. Think that will ease things a bit.With a KH of 2.5 (you said 2/3) and a ph of 6.2 (your low ph throughout the day) your CO2 ppm is at 47-50 at the high point. Most likely that's still too high to keep your RCS comfortable.
At a KH of 2 you should shoot for a 6.2 - 6.3 ph with co2 on. that will leave you at 30-40ppm for co2.
Here is a thread and chart for co2 as it pertains to KH/PH
CHart
Yeah I found out neos don't like low ph that much as I researched. Although I wonder how people with co2 injected tanks, like tom barrs Dutch aquascape, keep a healthy population.neo's in general will live but not thrive below a ph of 7. im going to say between the ph being so low, fear of being eaten by fish, and co2 that is what is the problem is. shrimp are way more sensitive than fish and it very well could be toxic at night to the shrimp.
the ones dying were males. One turned white and the other was on turning whitish near the head and started lying on its side and swimming in spurts.When RCS die of old age they also turn white, as a reference. In fact, don't know of any shrimp that retains their bright color if they are slowly dying. I doubt your Neons are eating your shrimp, adults anyway. Their mouth is physically too small, but they could be aggravating them or injuring them. The babies would be easy prey.
You should try to dose paraguard anyways, as it might help and benefit the shrimp even if it isn't. I need to get paraguard too...The water might be low in oxygen. The lily pipes slightly agitate the surface. I was hoping photosynthesis ing plants would make a difference. Should I try paraguard even if I'm not certain if it is bacterial or not?