I just received a shipment of crystal red shrimp and some angelfish. The problem is I am at school and the 4 gallon tank I have right now is going through cycling. Ammonia readings are at zero but nitrite reading are at 1.0 ppm. I won't be going home until thursday morning. Is it better to leave them in the bag or put them in the tank until I can take them home to my bigger tank?
how long can fish or shrimp live in shipping bag
- Thread starter Snikerz
- Start date
I use regular bags not breather bags and I have had them survive for 10 days in the bag only to succomb later. The water is getting more toxic by the minute if it gets to bad even if they survive they may be hurt. Generally 4 days max 2 is preferable. They are now swimming in a small toilet bowl if you think about it.
so it would be better to put them into the cycling tank? i just tested again and the nitrite readings read .50 ppm. Don't know if that's alright or not
Ok, if I were in your shoes, I'd set up a bucket with the heater and fresh dechlorinated water and acclimate them to that. Then do major water changes to the bucket every day.
Sounds like your tank should be finished cycling in a day or two...
Hopefully, you don't have too many shrimp that will cause them to spike the ammonia count when you add them to a newly cycled tank....Keep a check on that when you finally do put them in.
Sounds like your tank should be finished cycling in a day or two...
Hopefully, you don't have too many shrimp that will cause them to spike the ammonia count when you add them to a newly cycled tank....Keep a check on that when you finally do put them in.
I would do a very large water change on your tank and put the fish in it. A half cycled tank is better than an uncycled pail. You will then have to do daily water changes to ensure the nitrates stay low. Under no circumstances let them get above 0.5. Do not add any more ammonia with fish or shrimp in there. If you can get ahold of some Cycle, Stability, or other canned bacteria, add this to your tank.
Next time have a tank ready for your fish when they arrive. Those bags are not a good environment for them.
Next time have a tank ready for your fish when they arrive. Those bags are not a good environment for them.
Are the shrimp going in the same aquarium as the angel fish and how many angel fish do you have?
I think CRS will end up a rather expensive dinner for your angel fish when they grow... I don't know how many you have- but also 4 gallons seems a little on the small side for angel fish. (please be a typo and it's really a 40 gallon).
You might want to consider a larger aquarium if you get the opportunity in the near future... let the shrimp have the 4 gallon and move the angel fish into a larger habitat.
No actually the angelfish were bought by my friend who already picked them up. Well I actually got the shrimp into the tank and brought them back today. So far so good no casualties