The Big Baddies: Common Bacterial Infections in Shrimp

You ever notice something odd going on with one of your shrimp? Maybe it is hiding more than usual, not moving around much, or looking like it is wearing a fur coat (that is not a fashion statement, by the way). These can be signs of some common bacterial infections. Here are the big three:

Vorticella

Ah, Vorticella. This little guy shows up looking like a fuzzy white growth on your shrimp. It usually pops up around the head or tail and thrives in poor water conditions. You might think your shrimp has mold growing on it, but nope, it is this creepy little parasite. I once spotted it on one of my Blue Dreams, and let me tell you, my heart sank a little.

Scutariella japonica

Next on the list, we have Scutariella japonica, the bacterial infection that attacks a shrimp’s gills and antennae. It looks like tiny white threads. When I first saw it, I thought my shrimp had gotten tangled up in a cobweb. Turns out, it was Scutariella causing some serious discomfort. If you see your shrimp gasping for air or hiding a lot, this might be the culprit.

Chitinolytic Bacteria

This one is the silent killer. Chitinolytic bacteria get right into the shrimp’s exoskeleton, causing all sorts of molting problems. You will know it is around when you see your shrimp struggling to shed their shells. The shell can look damaged or even rotted. It is kind of like your shrimp’s armor turning on them—not fun at all.

Spotting the Signs: What to Look For

Alright, so how do you know if one of these nasty infections is creeping around your tank? Shrimp cannot exactly holler, “Hey, I am sick!” So, you need to keep an eye on them. Here are the red flags:

• White fuzzy growths: That is your Vorticella.
• Stringy stuff hanging off the gills or antennae: Say hello to Scutariella.
• Dark patches on the shell, trouble molting: Chitinolytic bacteria at work.
• Sluggish behavior: When shrimp are feeling off, they slow down. A lot.
• Hiding or staying in one spot: Shrimp love to explore, so if one’s being a hermit, it is worth looking into.

Treatment Options: Get Those Infections Outta Here!

Now, for the fun part—what can we do about these bacterial invaders? Whether you are into using chemicals, antibiotics, or more natural remedies, I have got you covered. Let us break it down step by step, shall we?

Chemical Treatments

Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment

This stuff is a lifesaver, but it is no joke. I remember the first time I used hydrogen peroxide in my tank, I was terrified I might overdo it and turn my shrimp into bubbles. Spoiler: I did not. Here is how to use it the right way.

• What You’ll Need: 3% hydrogen peroxide, a separate treatment container, and your shrimp (obviously).
• Steps:
  1. Set up a treatment container with clean water. Make sure it is the same temperature and pH as your main tank. Shrimp hate surprises when it comes to water.
  2. Add 1-2 mL of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 gallons. Go easy on this stuff.
  3. Move the shrimp into the treatment container. Use a net, or, if you are feeling brave, your hands. They are fragile, so be gentle.
  4. Leave them there for 15-30 minutes. Not a minute more! I once got distracted and left a shrimp in too long. Thankfully, it survived, but you do not want to risk it.
  5. Return the shrimp to their home tank, and do not pour that treatment water in—just the shrimp.

No Planaria (Yeah, You Can Find It on Amazon)

Now, this is my secret weapon. Originally made to kill planaria (those creepy little worms), No Planaria works like a charm on bacterial infections too. I have used it several times with great success, and my shrimp did not seem to mind it much.

• Steps:
  1. Follow the dosage on the package. It is usually 0.1 grams per 50 liters, but double-check just to be safe.
  2. Turn off the carbon filter, or the carbon will suck up the medication. Then you will be left wondering why nothing is happening.
  3. Let the treatment sit for 72 hours. During that time, keep an eye on your shrimp but try not to stress. Trust the process.
  4. After 72 hours, do a 30% water change to get rid of any leftover chemicals.
  5. Repeat in a week if the infection is still kicking around.

Antibiotics

Sometimes, the infection is a bit more stubborn, and chemicals will not cut it. That is when antibiotics step into the ring. You need to be careful with these, though, because they can mess with the good bacteria in your tank too. I have had to go this route a couple of times, but I always make sure to use a quarantine tank to avoid nuking the whole system.

Kanamycin

Kanamycin is my go-to for serious internal infections. One time, I had a shrimp that looked fine on the outside but was acting off. A few of its tank mates started showing the same symptoms, so I knew I had to act fast.

• Steps:
  1. Set up a quarantine tank. You do not want to throw antibiotics into your main tank unless you want to deal with a massive bacteria die-off.
  2. Add Kanamycin to the quarantine tank at a dosage of 50 mg per liter.
  3. Move the sick shrimp to the quarantine tank.
  4. Let the shrimp stay in the tank for 7-10 days. Keep feeding light to avoid spiking ammonia levels.
  5. After the treatment period, do a big water change and slowly introduce the shrimp back to the main tank.

Tetracycline

Tetracycline is another heavy-hitter when it comes to antibiotics. I have had mixed results with this one—it works, but it can be hard on the tank.

• Steps:
  1. Quarantine tank, same as with Kanamycin.
  2. Add 250 mg of Tetracycline per 20 gallons of water.
  3. No carbon filters allowed! Make sure you pull those out before adding the antibiotic.
  4. Dose the tank every 24 hours for 5-7 days. Keep a close watch on the water parameters.
  5. When the treatment is over, do a massive water change and reintroduce your shrimp to the main tank.

Natural Remedies

I know a lot of you out there might be looking for more natural solutions, and I totally get that. Shrimp are delicate, and sometimes a gentler approach is best. Here are a couple of methods that have worked for me.

Indian Almond Leaves

These leaves are a lifesaver. They release tannins into the water that have natural antibacterial properties, and shrimp love them. I usually toss a couple of these into my tanks, even if nothing is wrong. They are great for keeping the water healthy. You can also pick some up from Amazon.

• Steps:
  1. Add 1-2 leaves per 10 gallons. No need to boil them first; just toss them in.
  2. Let them break down naturally. Over the next week or two, they will release tannins, which will help fight off bacteria.
  3. Replace the leaves once they start to disintegrate completely.

Salt Baths

This method is simple but effective. Salt baths work great for external infections. I used one on a shrimp that had a bacterial infection on its shell, and within a few days, it was bouncing back to life.

• Steps:
  1. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt in 1 gallon of tank water.
  2. Gently place the infected shrimp in the salt bath for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Take the shrimp out and put it back into the tank.
  4. Repeat once a day for up to 5 days, depending on how the shrimp is doing.

Garlic-Soaked Food

Garlic boosts the immune system, and shrimp are no exception. I started using garlic-soaked food during a tank crisis, and it helped more than I expected.

• Steps:
  1. Crush a garlic clove and soak your shrimp’s food in the juice.
  2. Feed them the garlic-infused food once a day for about a week.
  3. Watch them perk up as their immune system kicks into gear.

Final Thoughts

Bacterial infections in shrimp can be a nightmare, but they do not have to be a death sentence. Whether you go with chemical treatments, antibiotics, or natural remedies, the important thing is to catch the infection early and act fast. Take it from me—shrimp care takes a bit of patience and a lot of love, but seeing those little critters happy and healthy makes it all worth it.

If you have had any shrimp health scares or found a treatment that works wonders, let me know in the comments. The more we share, the better we can all keep our shrimp safe and sound!