Linwood
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I have a 45g planted freshwater tank that is still cycling (currently 7.8ph, 0.25 Ammonia, 1-2ppm nitrites, 5- nitrates, 78 degrees), with 5 tetra serpae and one raphael catfish, and about 7-9 ghost shrimp. I'm on day 21 since tank started.
I noticed one ghost shrimp is pregnant (if that's the proper word for carrying eggs). I doubt they will survive, I have no other tank to keep them safe from either the serpae or the canister filter, but I also noticed the female has strange crystalline white spots all over her.
I don't see them on any of the other shrimp.
Is it a disease? A normal part of either babies and/or prior to shedding?
If it's a disease, wanted to remove her.
All the fish and shrimp act very healthy and happy, eat regularly, the shrimp swim wildly at times, and have been growing and shedding occasionally.
Here are a couple photos, one the shrimp with eggs, one without. Hope it's OK to post large, so you can see the detail on the spots, click to zoom in and they look like little crystals, all very regular, not like a bug or something.
Am I right the babies (fry?) will disappear into the filter, most likely? I don't have a second tank or any way to isolate them, hate to see them doomed. Wrap intake in a sponge for a few days? Or will they still die stuck to that sponge?
PS. Yes, fishless cycling is better, got it. Please, I've read those threads. And I realize these shrimp and/or fish may not survive. Nonetheless it's a learning opportunity so I'm curious about the spots.
I noticed one ghost shrimp is pregnant (if that's the proper word for carrying eggs). I doubt they will survive, I have no other tank to keep them safe from either the serpae or the canister filter, but I also noticed the female has strange crystalline white spots all over her.
I don't see them on any of the other shrimp.
Is it a disease? A normal part of either babies and/or prior to shedding?
If it's a disease, wanted to remove her.
All the fish and shrimp act very healthy and happy, eat regularly, the shrimp swim wildly at times, and have been growing and shedding occasionally.
Here are a couple photos, one the shrimp with eggs, one without. Hope it's OK to post large, so you can see the detail on the spots, click to zoom in and they look like little crystals, all very regular, not like a bug or something.
Am I right the babies (fry?) will disappear into the filter, most likely? I don't have a second tank or any way to isolate them, hate to see them doomed. Wrap intake in a sponge for a few days? Or will they still die stuck to that sponge?
PS. Yes, fishless cycling is better, got it. Please, I've read those threads. And I realize these shrimp and/or fish may not survive. Nonetheless it's a learning opportunity so I'm curious about the spots.
