Mysterious Red Cherry Deaths

Q

qwertus

AC Members
Nov 21, 2008
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Hi, in these past 1-2 months the red cherries from my 10 gal died mysteriously. Usually one within 1-2 days of other, sometimes there won't be any deaths for a week but then it started again in the following week. I checked the water myself and brought samples to several local fish stores and they all said the water should be shrimp safe ammonia, nitrite is at 0. I just added the juvies about 2 months ago, as they grow to adults they started to die.

The tank uses Miracle Grow organic soil top with yard soil and is heavily planted. I leave my lights on for 12-14 hours daily.

Anyone has an idea on what might cause these deaths? This is my first time trying out red cherry shrimps.
 
The dead ones appear normal no sign of deformities on them and they aren't exoskels. I just do 10% water change weekly since its a heavily planted tank. I feed them daily with grind up frozen shrimps, just about the tip of the pinky size since there arent a lot in the tank atm. If there is something wrong with the water I would imagine they all die at around the same week they were introduced in the tank. They actually grew to adults then started to die.
 
I think you are overfeeding. I feed my shrimp tanks about every 3 days, maybe 1 pellet to 10-15 shrimp. Overfeeding is very easy to do with these guys. Its likely if your tank is heavily planted, feeding 2x a week would be more than adequate.
 
The food seems to disappear really quick though and the ammonia and nitrite didnt spike. Should i cut back on feedings anyway?
 
In addition to the overfeeding issue, what exactly is in Miracle Grow and has your yard soil ever been treated with chemical/pesticides or any trees sprayed in the area? Are there chemicals/compounds that perhaps are not shrimp safe? IDK--just wondering. I'd be hesitant to use these substrates with shrimps.
 
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