If you have two cherry shrimps and you keep them in your aquarium, it will enhance the beauty and diversity of your aquarium a lot. Cherry shrimp usually don’t bother other animals so it’s quite easy to keep them with other aquatic animals in the same tank.
The most interesting aspect of cherry shrimp is its movement. Which fascinates both children and adults.
But in the domestic environment, shrimp can easily be affected by various diseases. If one day you suddenly notice an unusual white stripe on your shrimp.
First of all, it is necessary to know what conditions make unusual white stripes on cherry shrimp. Water Imbalance, Lighting Problems, Molting Stage, Stressful Environment, and Diseases are the most common reasons for these problems.
Now it’s time to discuss detailed problems and find out effective solutions for your cherry shrimp. So let’s get started.
5 Reasons For White Stripe on Cherry Shrimp+ Solution
1. Water Imbalance
Water quality is the most important factor for aquatic animals. The good or bad health of aquatic animals depends mainly on the variation of various elements mixed in the water.
Basically, the cherry shrimp don’t prefer low-quality water.
The imbalanced pH of the aquarium water is one of the major causes of white patches on cherry shrimp. Cherry shrimp don’t like excess copper. When excess copper is mixed with your aquarium water, they have a 99% probability to absorb it. When they absorb excess copper their internal oxygen production fails. Due to sufficient oxygen level, a white stripe is developed on cherry shrimp.
Water instability is another reason. If you don’t have enough time to take care of your animal for a long time there is a possibility of pH and temperature fluctuations.
Excess ammonia and nitrite levels can also be the causes of the white stripe.
Control Measure
Water contains many life-saving minerals and chemicals. For aquatic animals, you should prioritize water quality above all else.
Since shrimp’s white stripes are also caused by water, you need to check the water regularly.
The pH of the tank water must be 6.5-7.5. The 25-26° temperature will be fine.
As cherry shrimp don’t like copper so you have to be careful about the copper ratio. The ammonia and nitrite ratio will also be maintained. A good quality filter is a must to clear the water surface.
Here are some recommended kits that help to measure the water quality.
- API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT
- SJ WAVE 7 in 1 Aquarium Test
2. Lightning Problem
Cherry shrimp usually prefer 6 to 8 hours of direct light but they can also survive in the dark.. Too much lighting can create a disturbing environment and can also develop white stripes.
Cherry shrimp need both light and dark spaces in the aquarium. If this light and shadow environment cannot be created, the shrimp will not feel comfortable in that environment. Their normal life will be disrupted and will be affected by various types of diseases including white stripe.
Control Measure
Cherry shrimp prefer 6 to 8 hours of direct light. So you can keep the fish tank beside a window where indirect sunlight can be found. If not possible you can use an artificial lighting system which ensures the optimum light requirements.
3. Molting Stage
Every several weeks, cherry shrimp shed their exoskeleton. This represents development. To grow a new, better-fitting exoskeleton, the organisms must abandon their old, tightly-fitting exoskeleton. As they near the molting stage, shrimp frequently start to look pallid and this is quite normal.
But if cherry shrimps develop a white ring during the molting stage then this will be a matter of concern. You also have to be careful about molting time. Sometimes cherry shrimp don’t come out from the exoskeleton and are trapped. In that case, your shrimp may even die.
Control Measure
White stripes in the molting stage are nothing so serious for cherry shrimps. But you have to be careful about the white ring. Keep changing the tank water every day when your shrimps are at the molting stage.
4. Diseases
Cherry shrimp can suffer various types of diseases. Most commonly they are attacked by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other parasites. All of them can be the cause of the white stripes in cherry shrimp.
Vibriosis, Filamentous bacterial disease, Necrotizing hepatopancreatic, Mycobacteriosis, Chitinolytic bacterial shell disease, and Rickettsial infection are the most common bacterial diseases for Cherry Shrimp.
Sudden death, the disappearance of legs or antennae, flesh turning pinkish, and developed white stripes are the common symptoms of bacterial infections.
Observe your cherry shrimp very carefully, if the other symptoms are present with white stripes then it must be for bacterial infection.
Generally, in summer, cherry shrimps are attacked by bacteria. If the temperature of your aquarium is too high and the water is excessively hot then your cherry shrimp can be attacked by the bacteria. Your habit of not changing the water on time and poor quality filter system is also responsible for this problem.
The fungal infection is very normal if your shrimp is with other fish in the same tank. Attached fungal is more common in fishes and in a fish aquarium, fungal spores can be present in the water.
The fungus can attack your cherry shrimp in many ways. Generally, they can get into the shrimp’s body through food. If you ensure proper nutrition for your cherry Shrimp then they can be able to fight with them. But if your cherry shrimp do not get proper nutrition the fungus spores are able to attack them.
The fungus can also be infected outside of your shrimp’s body. Development of white stripe, whitish cotton-like growth from the head to the last is the common symptom of fungal infection.
Fish and aquatic invertebrates are frequently parasitized by ellibiopsids and dinoflagellates.
These parasites attack your shrimps and infest soft tissue, the bloodstream, the eggs, the digestive system, etc.
Generally, these types of parasites appear in yellowish-green color but sometimes they can also develop faded stripes. They can also cause severe damage to the swimming legs. Scutariella Japonica is another type of parasite that also creates white stripes on cherry shrimps. Usually, a 1-2 mm length of white stripes is formed when they are attacked.
Muscular necrosis is another cause of white stripes in your cherry shrimp. When the backside muscle tissue turns white then it is called muscular necrosis. if you don’t ensure the proper parameter range of pH, GH, nitrite, and ammonia then muscular necrosis can happen.
Treatment Guide
Bacterial infection is a major issue for Cherry Shrimp because most of the infection remains untreated due to late showing symptoms. Regular water changing can prevent bacterial infections.
The most effective solution for bacterial infections is Hydrogen peroxide treatment.
You need 4% solutions of hydrogen peroxide. It’s a five-day dose. Mix 3 ml of hydrogen peroxide for every 5-6 liters of water. For severe conditions, you must consult with a veterinarian. You can also kill the bacteria by increasing the pH and temperature levels.
Salt bath is the most effective way to treat fungal and parasite-causing diseases. Aquarium salt is needed for this treatment.
Take a medium sized pot and fill it with 2-3 liters of water. Then add 2 spoons of aquarium salt in it. Then keep the infected shrimp on it for 5-10 minutes. Do this every day until the infection is gone. Isolation is a must for fungus-infected cherry shrimp.
5. Stressful Aquatic Environment
Each and every plant and animal has a vital connection to its environment. Without the correct environment, it will be difficult for them to survive.
For Cherry Shrimp kept indoors, the tank must be appropriately configured. Any environmental change could be very dangerous to them.
If the habitat is not suitable and gets stressed all the time, your shrimp will not grow properly and their natural immune system will stop working.
Uncomfortable conditions might result from low oxygen levels, excessive eating, a lack of seclusion or quiet areas, and an abundance of chemicals in the water.
Control Measure
You must set up your aquarium to accommodate the creatures if you want it to be a pleasant place.
Make sure the tank is large enough (10-15 gallons). It is essential to have a high-quality filter that can clean the water’s surface.
Keep the tank next to the window, where it will receive enough bright indirect light. Place some miniature caves and aquatic plants. Both Java fern and Java moss are suitable options. There must be enough water to meet the needs.
Always fill the tank with fresh water. A pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is ideal. 25–27 °C should be the temperature.
Every two weeks, change the water. Give just enough food. When cleaning the water reservoir, avoid using any cleaning agents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What parasite attacks cherry shrimp?
Pleistophora mulleri, Vorticella, Scutariella Japonica, Leeches, and Dragonfly Nymphs are the common parasites that cause severe damage to Cherry Shrimps.
How do you get rid of fungus on shrimp?
Fungal attack in cherry shrimp is a very common issue. Salt bath is the best way to get rid of the fungus. Aquarium salt is mixed with tank water and kept with the shrimp for five minutes. Repeat these for five to seven days.
Conclusion
White Stripes on your cherry shrimp can occur for many reasons. You have to notice and find out the main reason.
In this article, I tried to show you all the reasons behind the stripes and suggest you effective solutions. This article is a similar effect on the other varieties of cherry shrimp like Yellow Cherry Shrimp, Blue Dream Shrimp, Black Rose Shrimp, Snowball Shrimp, Blue Pearl Shrimp, Green Jade Shrimp, and Blue Velvet Shrimp.
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