Crystal Red moulting or dying?

[walker26]

Hi
I decided to set up a 25 litre shrimp tank and put 8 crystal reds in.
Later that day I found a moulted shell, next morning I found one dead. Not sure if it was the same one that moulted.

Today (another day later), I found one on its side. Thinking it was dead I went to remove it but it swam off. I’ve since found it at different places around the tank. It just lies there kicking it’s legs occasionally and looks like it’s holding something transparent. Is it moulting or is it something more serious? I did a 25% W/c this afternoon. Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

Here’s a link to a short clip. https://youtu.be/N8hGZTK6zBw

Temp’-23-24c
KH-3
GH-3
pH-6.8
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-10-20

[Martinspuddle]

Moulting in Crustacea is a very stressful experience and can sometimes result in death from exhaustion. Even if the shrimp has manage to complete the moult they are very vulnerable until their new exoskeleton has hardened, which depending on species can take from a few hours to a couple of days.

From your footage, this one looks as it's having hard time moulting and probably won't survive.

[Daveymancs]

Are there things which can be done to help with moulting?

[plankton]

Add an extra source of calcium.
I usually suggest the cheapest which is to get a cuttlefish "bone" for budgies and break off a small piece.
Pop it in boiling water for 2 minutes and then drop in the tank (it should sink if it's been boiled long enough).
They'll have a munch on that, and you can break off pieces to replace for ages.

[walker26]

Thanks for the advice guys. All seems good this morning. All 7 shrimps upright and patrolling for food, although showing zero interest in the catfish pellets I put in the feeding dish yesterday. Shrimp food will be here later so hopefully that will be more to their taste.

[fr499y]

I'm suprised they aren't going for the pellets. Shrimp are opportunists and will take anything you put in ( Although I don't feed them every day )

[walker26]

I'm suprised they aren't going for the pellets. Shrimp are oportunists and will take anything you put in ( Although I don't feed them every day )

That’s what I thought but I’m used to fussy eaters in this house. I’ve got 6 Angelfish that refuse all frozen foods except bloodworm.
I was planning on feeding every 2-3 days.