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The variety and manifestation of dwarf shrimp diseases remain are still unexplored in their variety and manifestation. Most of the information we have on shrimp maladies comes from research on aqua-cultured crustaceens like such as freshwater shrimp macrobrachium rosenbergii, crayfish, lobster and others. Also helpful to us is knowledge gathered from studies on fish and especially the keeping of Koi keeping is also helpful to us.

Diagnosis and Symptoms

The diagnosis on of shrimp diseases is a very complex area and it is often not possible to distinguish at first sight which or if any disease is present. In many cases, livestock are already affected when an outbreak becomes visible. It may start with one dead shrimp each very day, and while water parameters may seem suitable, it can lead to and can go along with molting problems and more fatalities. If shrimps turn white inside the body and the usual coloration fades, this only shows there is a problem in circulation and a lack of oxygen in the body. Any fungal or bacterial infection in the body or harming the gills can cause this. Most of these infections are secondary, meaning the actual cause is environmental, reducing the resistance of the shrimp. Some of affected shrimps even lose antenna and other extremities (legs, eyes). In a later phase, shrimp are inactive and may ‘stagger’ through the water. This shrimps are more likely to die sooner rather than later. Some bacteria populations also erode the exoskeleton and shell: rusty, brown or black spots and/wholes are the visible signs of this consequence. Gills can also are sometimes be damaged by bacterial pathogens also.

Outbreak and Causes

The tanks amount of bacterial count in the tank is the main cause for a bacterial infection of in dwarf shrimps. Mainly in In the summer months, shrimp keepers forums are full with threads like ‘Yet another dead’, ‘Help me, shrimps dying!’ or ‘Shrimps are inactive and pale’. Harmful and shell-degrading bacteria such as Vibrio, Aeromonas, and Pseudomonas groups can explode during this time and theyaffect shrimps as well as fish. Diseases are therefore also called Vibriosis. Overcrowded tanks with lots of organic waste and poor water quality pander to the disease. If the shrimp’s self defenses are debilitated, fungus or and other parasites can easily penetrate their systems as well.

Cure and Treatment

If you keep very precious shrimps or a large big amount of shrimp, you should contact a your local veterinary and make a detailed analysis of both your shrimp and their tank before using antibiotics or fungicides. You have to be even more careful if you live in a country with a high level of aqua farming, because some diseases can ‘flash over’ to farmed shrimp.

Biological and Organic Treatment methods

The most important thing to do is improving water quality which means reducing harmful bacteria.

• Clean the tank and gravel from mud and leftovers regularly.
• Check your filtration set up and clean pipes if your canister filter is running slow.
• Use filter booster bacteria to raise beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in your tank.
• Inject oxygen with a simple air stone or similar.
• Do change the water daily water changes with 80% minimum (not less!) for at least 2 weeks. This lowers the quantity of bacteria. If you change less than 80% of the water, bacteria will bloom again. It’s important that the incoming fresh water has the same water parameters as your tank. Changes in parameters f.e. pH or GH will stress your shrimp additionally.
• Feed less in both frequency and amount or fewer times and remove ill or dead shrimps asap.
• Add Indian Almond Leaves (Ketapang Leaves) to support healing.
• Reduce stress for your shrimps.

Therapy with antibiotic Drugs

Be careful with pharmaceuticals, because the bacteria in your tank maybe resistant to that specific antibiotic used you use or isn’t affected by it at all from it. Besides, not every medication medicament used for fish is suitable to freshwater invertebrates, too. Some can even kill shrimps, especially if they contain copper. Preparations you will need to follow should you want to use medication: Turn off the UV sterilizer and CO2 injection; do not use two drugs simultaneously, do not filter with carbon, remove filter and let it run elsewhere because filter bacteria will be killed by almost every antibiotic.

JBL Furanol: 1 tablet for a 20L (5.28 US G) tank, added for 4 days. I did 80% water change after that then and then added 1 pill again for 3 days. Filter with carbon for one week after usage to get rid of any last traces of the pharmaceutical.

Summary and Discussion

Current research in to the diseases of cultured shrimps is focusing on shrimp genetics, vaccinations vaccinates for shrimps and additives like beta-glucan or other immunostimulants in shrimp food. Dwarf shrimp keepers will hopefully profit from any new findings and have more products available soon to cure their shrimp diseases. In summary, good water hygiene and tank maintenance is the key to avoiding illnesses and diseases.

Appendix: Fish Medicaments already tested with Freshwater Dwarf Shrimp (against Bacterial Diseases)

• Clindamycin
• esHa Exit
• JBL Furanol (2)
• Seachem Paraguard
• Sera Bactopur
• Tetra GeneralTonic

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