Bamboo Shrimp Played Dead for 5 Days

Bigbob55

AC Members
Oct 12, 2005
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I had a bamboo shrimp("filter shrimp") in my matured 50G aquarium, very good setting for it, plenty of food floating around for it to munch on.

I come home one day, and it appears dead, its on its back, legs sky high like a dead cockroach, and its a light brown/pink color instead of its darker brown color.

Well, crap. My current tank is very stable and I haven't lost a fish in months, but maybe he was trying to molt, etc.

I was busy, and didn't take him out of the tank. The next day I looked again and he had moved a bit. Intrigued, I still didn't take him out. I noticed this pattern for 2 days, then on the 3rd day, he was upright! He had moved about 3 inched backward and was now on his legs, but not moving whatsoever, and still pink. I figured the Betta had pushed him and it was just a coincidence.

Today (5 days later!) He is alive and well! He is on the other side of the tank feeding like nothing had happened! He had just molted about 3 weeks ago, and I don't see another exoskeleton, so I don't think he molted (although maybe he's about to), but he was a sure goner for 3 full days, and then didn't move for another 2 days?!?

I'm so glad I'm lazy and didn't toss him at first sight! So I suppose this is a public service announcement, don't throw out your bamboo shrimp for a week after they look dead!
 
I figure if none of the other critters are feeding on it or it moves when I poke it, I leave it alone.
 
similar incident happened to my RCS.

The first day I bought her, it was very cold and the LFS did not give me enough water in the bag so the bag couldn't retain temperature very well. I bought 3 RCS, 1 looked dead when I got home. She was on her back and not moving. The other 2 shrimps, (1 male, 1 female) were already on top of her probably feeding? Then when I put the bag in my aquarium to acclimate, the dead shrimp moved her legs a lil but still on her back. I dumped her in the tank anyway hoping for a miracle. She was lying on her back on a plant. An hour later she was on her feet and the next day she was eating. I think she has eggs in her saddle now. She's a warrior.

This made me really happy.
 
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