Ghost shrimp turned pink!

[renie]

One of my ghost shrimp's been hiding in a cave for 2 days--I thought he was molting. Tonight I found him dead, and when I pulled him out of the cave, I couldn't believe it--he looked like he'd been a cooked shrimp! :sad Completely pink! Anyone have any knowledge about why he turned pink? I did water check and all is good.

 

[gonefishin]

Yes I know, I know. Ohh Ohh I just learned this 2 day. There is a red protien that is all wrapped up and invisible, that unravels and becomes visable when they die. Basically, I don't know the details, but thats it.

 

[renie]

Thanks. I've had a hard time keeping ghost shrimp. I love them, they are so entertaining! They actually come up to the front of the tank when it's feeding time! I had 5 of them, 3 turned chalky white and died quickly, the other 2 lasted a couple of months, now 1 turned pink, and I have only 1 left.

 

[mister ben]

due to the abundant numbers and low price of ghost shrimp, they are not a highly valued specimen in the trade, often being purchased simply as feed for larger species of fish.

Having said that, my roomate keeps ghost shrimp and we both love them. They are fun and enterntaining to watch. They don't live very long, so I bet the recent death of yours was of no fault of your own, IMHO. I would just buy some more and start enjoying them again.

 

[renie]

Thanks, I think I feel a little better. I'll go get some more.

 

[Kissofthegorami]

Yea they turn pink when they die. Actually many of the "glass" type animals become opaque when they die. Glass catfish become white upon death. Ghost shrimp do not live long and they are sold as fish food mostly. Cherry red shrimp are new, and highly prized by aquarists. You ca get them online and at aquabid. They are very expensive, going for $30.00 - $50.00 for a dozen. But they do great in a heated aquarium unlike ghost shrimp, And they actually readily breed in the aquarium. they give birth to fully formed mini cherry red shrimp. They'd make better pets but cost much more. If u do keep them and breed them, sell me some cheaply. ;-)

 

[renie]

Thanks for the info! I will hold off on those little cherry reds until I get a bigger tank--sounds awesome!

 

[oztun]

The reason ghost shrimp don't live long is because you have to add iodine to your tank. But, iodine can be poisionious too so getting the right level is very important. With iodine they can live two years.

 

[Xavier J Main]

The reason ghost shrimp don't live long is because you have to add iodine to your tank. But, iodine can be poisionious too so getting the right level is very important. With iodine they can live two years.

Hello,
I'm super new.
What is the iodine used for with ghost shrimp? I have a 20g long with a single Betta, ghost shrimp, zebra nerite, mysterys and Malaysian snails ( only 5 snails in total) and I just lost two older ghosts. Who were gravid. But everyone else seems content. Will iodine hurt the snails?
Current setup: 20 long with a plethora of love plants, hornwort and Java moss, mangroves, duckweed and then some. I'd really love to get my ghosts to breed, I have a small colony of rcs in a ten gallon with a female Betta, but I'm having a harder time with my ghosts. Ty Ty
P.s. C02 coming soon

 

[Xavier J Main]

Update* I just noticed baby shrimp! The females passed on, but the legacy lives!