Why are my shrimp dying? A calm checklist

The short answer

Shrimp rarely die for no reason, but the cause is often not obvious. The usual suspects are untreated chloramine, a tank that is not cycled yet, a sudden change in temperature or TDS, and copper from medications or plant products. Work through the list below before changing anything.

Step by step

1. Stop and do not make big changes

Resist the urge to swap lots of water or add treatments. Large changes are a common way a small problem becomes a lost colony. Note how many shrimp are affected and whether the deaths are sudden or slow.

2. Test ammonia and nitrite

Both should read zero in a shrimp tank. If either is above zero, do a small water change with treated, matched water and repeat it rather than doing one large change. See the water changes guide.

3. Check what went into the tank

Untreated chloramine in tap water, copper-based medications or plant products, and overdosed additives can all harm shrimp. Check bottle labels for copper. Garden or household sprays used near the tank can also be a cause.

4. Compare temperature and TDS to the last water you added

A swing in temperature or TDS after a water change or top-off is a frequent trigger. Measure both in the tank and in your new water so you can match them next time.

5. Review how the shrimp arrived and how the tank was started

Shrimp added to a tank that has not finished cycling, or acclimated too quickly, often die in the first days or weeks. Weigh the tank's age against the setup and acclimation guides.

6. Look at the survivors

Active, grazing shrimp are a good sign. Shrimp that sit still, lie on their sides, or swim in circles point to a water or toxin problem. A shrimp with a pale or empty shell on the substrate is usually a molt, not a death.

San Diego water and shrimp

San Diego tap is chloraminated, and chloramine does not gas off in a bucket, so every batch of tap needs a conditioner that neutralizes it. Neocaridina tolerate dechlorinated San Diego tap, which is hard (the City of San Diego 2025 report gives GH of about 13). Caridina need soft, acidic, low-TDS water and are not kept on tap. If Caridina are failing in tap-based water, that is the likely cause. See San Diego tap water for shrimp and water parameters.

Questions we get asked

Why are my shrimp dying suddenly?

Sudden losses usually point to something in the water: untreated chloramine, a swing in temperature or TDS, copper, or a spray or additive that got into the tank. Test ammonia and nitrite, check what was added recently, and avoid big changes while you work it out.

Why did my new shrimp die in the first few days?

New shrimp are most at risk from a tank that has not finished cycling, a mismatch between the water they came from and yours, or fast acclimation. A slow drip acclimation and a settled tank give them the best chance. A few losses after moving are not unusual, but a steady stream of them is a sign to check the water.

Is a white shrimp shell a dead shrimp?

Often not. Shrimp shed their shell as they grow, and the empty shell looks like a pale, whole shrimp. Leave it in the tank, since the shrimp will eat it for minerals. See the molting guide for what normal looks like and for what a failed molt looks like.

Can medications for fish kill shrimp?

Yes. Many fish medications and some plant products contain copper, which is toxic to shrimp even in small amounts. Read the label, and treat fish in a separate tank when you are unsure.

Should I do a big water change if shrimp are dying?

Usually not. If ammonia or nitrite is above zero, change a small amount of treated, matched water and repeat it. A large change with water that does not match the tank can add a second shock.

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