Bad Luck with Bamboo Shrimp

[chunkswrestles]

hey,
this is my second time owning a bamboo shrimp after my first one died. the shrimp that i currently have doesnt seem to be comfortable. i have had him for a couple of days and i havent seen him with his filters open. my question is should i get him a friend?
thanks

 

[DarrylR]

I haven't owned one before but read they are filter feeders, feeding debris and any microscopic critters from the water current. Would a sponge with a air pump through it be sufficient enough for it to act like a magnet for food/debris and allow the bamboo shrimp to feed?

 

[bettabrat]

My experience with filter feeders is that they:

1. Need a well seasoned tank, not something newly set up.
2. Not necessary but seem to do better in a planted tank.
3. Need a GOOD current. Powerheads can be used here to increase water flow.
4. Need particles in the water to filter feed, if this is not available they will pick off of the substrate, which IMHO is not healthy. In my experience you can feed them finely crushed flake, decap brine shrimp eggs, or anything very very fine crushed into a powder.
5. Calcium in order to molt properly - I supplement my tanks with crushed cuttle bone or plaster of paris blocks. Being a crustacean molting is the hardest and most critical period in their life if they are unable to molt correctly they can and most likely will die.
6. Stable temperature - 76-78 F seems ideal in my tanks

Can you tell us a little more about the situation? What size tank, water params, temp, foods you are feeding, tank mates, etc?