Amano shrimp death: two found deceased

[fancy]

Morning after the water change, I found 2 dead shrimp - one was recent, the other looked like it had been dead for a while. I've got a test kit, just not sure which test to do first. If it's an ammonia issue, I've got a product that can help.

To be honest, I've been struggling since May with some medical issues, but I'm feeling better now. The house has been neglected, including my aquarium. Lost 2 special plants, and it's been tough with all the birds - over a dozen of them. This spring, I've been raising 4 different wild birds that my vet brought over - people bring them to her, but I've got the time to care for the babies. I know, I know, enough complaining. What's sad is not being able to keep up with everything, and the pets suffer because of it. I'm 74, and I've realized I'm too old for more pets or frequent water changes. It's ironic, but the pets are what give me a reason to wake up every day. Whoever called old age the 'golden years' must have been joking.

[coltin]

I'd love to see some pictures of the shrimp you lost.

In situations like this, I always run the basic tests - pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. If the shrimp was small and died recently, it's possible the filter might have already processed the ammonia, so you might not see any significant readings.

By the way, I'm curious - what kind of birds do you have at home? I used to be into Australian finches and small parrots, but that was ages ago.

I can totally relate to what you said about getting old. It's not all it's cracked up to be, is it? I think people who call it the 'golden years' must be joking. It's tough, painful, and just plain miserable at times. But I've found that regular exercise, like weightlifting, can really help keep your health in check. And socializing is a must - it keeps you sane. For me, having pets was always a great motivator to get out of bed in the morning. Of course, there are other reasons too... like the loo. Another one of the joys of old age.

[FunFish]

Getting old isn't the golden years, it's just plain tough. I've found that exercising daily, even weight lifting, really helps keep my muscle mass up and my health in check. Socialising is key too, it keeps me sane. And having pets, well that's a big one for me, gives me a reason to get up in the morning. Although, I have to admit, another reason is the loo, just another one of the joys of old age. I've heard that saying, "Growing old is not for sissies" and I can attest to its truth. As a retiree, my main job now is staying healthy, both mentally and physically. It's a daily challenge, but I'm learning to take it one step at a time, focus on the present and not get too overwhelmed.

[TwinTankman]

Old age really does suck, fancy. I've recently turned 76 and I'm having to downsize my tanks because I just can't keep up like I used to. I've got a few that require me to climb on a small ladder, and that's just not a good idea at my age. I'm getting rid of my 6 foot tanks, including the 125 gallon which is now empty. I'm even spending over $1,000 to have my in-wall space redone so I can lower the 75 gallon tank to a more manageable height. I'll be removing the 30B under tank entirely and lowering the 75 gallon so I can work on it without needing a ladder. I've already had to lower the in-wall 75 to the height of the 75 under the window.

I've been shrinking over the years, fancy. I used to be 5'5" but I was just measured at the doctor's office and I'm now a tad under 5'3". I think they might have made a mistake, I'm probably right at 5'3" or maybe even a tiny bit taller.

[fancy]

Getting old isn't the golden years, it's just plain tough. I've found that exercising daily, even weight lifting, really helps keep my muscle mass up and my health in check. Socialising is key too, it keeps me sane. And having pets, well that's a big one for me, gives me a reason to get up in the morning. Although, I have to admit, another reason is the loo, just another one of the joys of old age. I've heard that saying, "Growing old is not for sissies" and I can attest to its truth. As a retiree, my main job now is staying healthy, both mentally and physically. It's a daily challenge, but I'm learning to take it one step at a time, focus on the present and not get too overwhelmed.

Hi coltin, I must say it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who thinks getting old is a challenge. My mother's words still echo in my mind - 'If you don't have cancer, you can't complain.' Of course, I'm grateful I don't have cancer, but this year has been tough with a few age-related issues. I've been dealing with poor circulation in my leg veins, which forced me to use a cane for a while until my doctor prescribed some medication. It was an unexpected setback.

I'm glad you asked about my birds - I have a lovely flock. There's my Moluccan cockatoo, an umbrella cockatoo, and a blue and gold macaw. I also have house finches, a starling, and a lovebird named Emma, who's quite the character. She's never been keen on stepping up on my arm and has a nasty biting habit. I've had her since she was a young bird, recently weaned, but I think she missed out on proper socialization. Not all lovebirds are as loving as their name suggests, I suppose.

I also have two house sparrows, who are 10 years old, and my umbrella cockatoo just turned 28. I've had them since they were chicks, and it's amazing how fast time flies. Thanks for your advice on the shrimp - I appreciate it.

[fancy]

Morning after the water change, I found 2 dead shrimp - one was recent, the other looked like it had been dead for a while. I've got a test kit, just not sure which test to do first. If it's an ammonia issue, I've got a product that can help.

To be honest, I've been struggling since May with some medical issues, but I'm feeling better now. The house has been neglected, including my aquarium. Lost 2 special plants, and it's been tough with all the birds - over a dozen of them. This spring, I've been raising 4 different wild birds that my vet brought over - people bring them to her, but I've got the time to care for the babies. I know, I know, enough complaining. What's sad is not being able to keep up with everything, and the pets suffer because of it. I'm 74, and I've realized I'm too old for more pets or frequent water changes. It's ironic, but the pets are what give me a reason to wake up every day. Whoever called old age the 'golden years' must have been joking.

It's good to know I'm not the only one downsizing aquariums. I've had to take down two of mine myself. As for height, well, I used to be 5'4" but now I'm 5'2". My husband suggested putting a pillow on the driver's seat so I could see better, which made me laugh - an old people pillow? I don't go out much, but still, that's just a harsh reminder of my age. My cockatiel passed away at 29, which is old for his kind, but it's still hard for me. I get emotional every time I lose a pet, and I ended up having him cremated because I just couldn't bear the thought of burying him. Take care, and I completely agree, no ladders are a good rule to follow - my 81-year-old husband still insists on climbing ladders to clean the gutters, which drives me crazy.

[coltin]

I have 2 house sparrows ( legal here). They are 10 years old. Umbrella just turned 28. I've had them since chicks. Years go so fast it seems. I swear, as a kid, holidays and birthdays took an eternity to arrive, but now they just whizz by. I find myself constantly checking the calendar, wondering how time slipped away so quickly. July feels like just yesterday, and before I know it, October is staring me in the face. It's disconcerting. I've had my birds for what feels like a blink, and now they're all grown up. Thanks for the shrimp advice, by the way.

[fancy]

What a comfort to know I'm not alone in thinking time flies by. My days blend together, and I often find myself checking my phone to keep track of the date. My Umbrella cockatoo is quite the character, and even when she's covered for the night, she recognizes the sound of the refrigerator opening or the cookie jar being accessed. She'll ask, "Are you a good birdy?" and if I'm sharing a snack, I'll give her a bite. It's amusing how she seems to understand when I say, "No, this is chocolate." She'll fall silent, but sometimes I need to show her my coffee or glass of water to reassure her she's not being ignored.

[fancy]

Morning after the water change, I found 2 dead shrimp - one was recent, the other looked like it had been dead for a while. I've got a test kit, just not sure which test to do first. If it's an ammonia issue, I've got a product that can help.

To be honest, I've been struggling since May with some medical issues, but I'm feeling better now. The house has been neglected, including my aquarium. Lost 2 special plants, and it's been tough with all the birds - over a dozen of them. This spring, I've been raising 4 different wild birds that my vet brought over - people bring them to her, but I've got the time to care for the babies. I know, I know, enough complaining. What's sad is not being able to keep up with everything, and the pets suffer because of it. I'm 74, and I've realized I'm too old for more pets or frequent water changes. It's ironic, but the pets are what give me a reason to wake up every day. Whoever called old age the 'golden years' must have been joking.

What a comfort to know I'm not the only one feeling like time is flying by. My days are pretty much a blur, and I find myself checking my phone just to keep track of the date. Even my umbrella cockatoo seems to have a better sense of time - she recognizes the sound of the fridge and cookie jar, and she's always asking if she's a good birdy. It's adorable, really. She knows when I'm sharing food with her, and she'll politely ask for a bite. But if I'm having something like chocolate, she gets quiet - I think she's learned that's off-limits. Sometimes I have to show her my coffee or water just so she knows I'm not ignoring her. These birds, they're such characters.

[fancy]

Hi FunFish - it's comforting to know I'm not the only one who thinks getting old is a challenge. My mom's words still stick with me: 'If you don't have cancer, you can't complain.' I'm grateful I don't have cancer, but this year I've had some age-related issues. I've been dealing with a condition where my leg veins aren't circulating blood properly, and I had to use a cane for a while until the doctor gave me some medication. That was a surprise.

I've got a lovely flock at home - a Moluccan cockatoo, an umbrella cockatoo, and a blue and gold macaw. I also have house finches, a starling, and a lovebird named Emma. She's a feisty one - bites every time she's out! I'm pretty sure she wasn't socialized properly when I got her. I've got two house sparrows that are 10 years old, and my umbrella cockatoo just turned 28. I've had them since they were chicks, and it's crazy how fast time flies.

Thanks for the shrimp advice, by the way. I did some tests, and the ammonia level was 0.25 ppm, with nitrates at 10 ppm. I treated the tank with API Ammo Lock, which I had on hand. Any suggestions for next steps? Should I do more water changes or something else? The pH was 0, which seems off.