Black spots on my cleaner shrimp.

slevesque · #1 09/09/2007, 10:25 AM

Since about 48h one of my 2 cleaner shrimps has black spots on his exoskeleton. I read it is probably a fungus infection. Anyone experienced this? Is it contagious? The other shrimp is spotless. I was about to introduced more shrimps so I might wait a little.

I'm still looking for a cure.

slevesque · #2 09/09/2007, 10:50 AM

I managed to take a picture.

Reefynewby · #3 09/12/2007, 11:18 PM

Although you're probably MUCH more experienced than me, i too have experienced this w/ my cleaners. In My 2 most recent cleaners, one had them. (but now theyre gone)

(I've gone thru 4 dead cleaners, all from same store, all died from acclimation. The i bought from 2 other stores, both lively and cleaning.)

I learned that these black spots are just signs of age, aging, or your tank's conditions. They aren't a problem to your shrimps health, just to his looks. It's possible that they may disappear on their own just like mine, or they could change after a water condition change.

slevesque · #4 09/12/2007, 11:23 PM

It is still alive and well. I recently changed my alk from 2 to 4 meq/l. Maybe it was too drastic for him. I can't wait for the next molt to see if the black spots will still be there.

greenbean36191 · #5 09/13/2007, 08:06 AM

The black spots aren't a sign of aging. They are signs of one of a few common diseases, none of which are treatable. They will disappear with each fresh molt, but come back with time. They will shorten the shrimp's lifespan slightly, but they're short-lived anyway.

Reefynewby · #6 09/13/2007, 06:40 PM

beg pardon, not trying to start a controversy, but where did you get your info. Mine is verified and known to be true in more than my tank. although both my cleaners had them and they disappeared.

greenbean36191 · #7 09/13/2007, 07:22 PM

It comes from shrimp farmers, mariculture classes, and people studying shrimp diseases. Black spots can be from Black Spot Disease, Black Gill Disease, various types of Vibriosis, Taura Syndrome Virus, and probably a few I'm forgetting. There have also been suggestions that there are fungal and nutritional problems that can cause the same symptoms.

Reefynewby · #8 09/13/2007, 08:24 PM

hmm... mebbe mine are "special" then

cos both of em had black spots when i bought em, but they didn't molt, and now they're gone

Reefynewby · #9 09/13/2007, 11:52 PM

here are a few pix of my 2 cleaners. Both of them started out w/ black dots, and both were from diff. stores. However, neither of them has molted since purchase yet.