[shift]

what are the key factors that boost shrimplet survival rate.. A while back i had a ton of shrimplets and now looking at the tank i only see a few medium size ones that seem to have made it.

What are common causes for loosing so many shrimplets?

 

[danielt]

I asked the same question myself. Answers received were along the lines of making sure there's good oxigenation. And baby food if there are few food sources in the tank in the form of bee pollen which worked pretty amazing.

Water quality must also be top. TDS levels kept constant. As few as possible water params changes. Feed them in small quantities but daily, seems to improve their rate also.

 

[mjbn]

Parameter regulation is probably the most important, followed very closely by having a properly established tank for the baby shrimp to constantly be feeding. What parameters were you maintaining during their birth?

 

[ravensgate]

Biofilm is the most important which means LOTS of surface area that also doubles as hiding places. IAL leaves are good because the babies get on the bottom side of the leaves to eat and molt in peace. SPonge filters or pre sponges, moss balls, and wads of moss are good. Adding airstones is recommended, avoiding temperature changes of more than 3 degrees during water changes along with avoiding sudden shifts in parameters will also help.

Keep in mind some shrimp just have a certain mortality/survival rate that you are working with. With CRS/CBS I've heard 80-90% survival rate is normal if parameters are ideal. Now, if the babies are born in too high pH they can die. I had a batch of A grades born in a tank of 7.4-7.6 pH. The adults lived fine. The babies never made it past day 10. In another tank with more ideal params I was doing well to see 65-70% survival rate but still, better than 0%. I don't take survival counts until 10 days-2 weeks on bee shrimp (CBS/CRS/Goldens). For something more difficult like OEBT you don't even bother counting until they are 3 weeks old at least. Neos typically have higher survival rates overall. I have tibees that I had 95-98% survival rate on 3 different batches. So, the point is it varies a lot by species plus the other factors like diet, biofilm, temp, params, etc.

 

[bostoneric]

Biofilm is the most important which means LOTS of surface area that also doubles as hiding places. IAL leaves are good because the babies get on the bottom side of the leaves to eat and molt in peace. SPonge filters or pre sponges, moss balls, and wads of moss are good. Adding airstones is recommended, avoiding temperature changes of more than 3 degrees during water changes along with avoiding sudden shifts in parameters will also help.

well put! Bolded some of the more important ones. also finding a food/supplement made for shrimplets. I love Jakes shrimp growth. i've had great luck with it. I also find that all shrimps love it no matter the size.
:thumbsup:

 

[ravensgate]

LOL, I was like 'holy crap, did I mess up the font when I posted?!?!?!' hahaha, ooh boy, glad it's the end of the week

 

[shift]

emphasis o nthe important ones!

Ill avoid water changes for a bit and try to keep adding more powder shrimplet food.

I do have a canister with a sponge pre-filter.
current parameters as of a day or two ago.:

PH 6.5
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
TDS 165
GH 3.3
KH 1.12

 

[mjbn]

emphasis o nthe important ones!

Ill avoid water changes for a bit and try to keep adding more powder shrimplet food.

I do have a canister with a sponge pre-filter.
current parameters as of a day or two ago.:

PH 6.5
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
TDS 165
GH 3.3
KH 1.12

I wouldn't keep my shrimp in GH below 4, so I'd try raising that up to at least 4. Everything else looks perfect.

 

[shift]

thanks, ill add a few drops of GH booster.