Skunk shrimp question?

I've had a skunk shrimp for about 6+ months and he is EVERYWHERE! He would always be visible unlike my blood red shrimp and wasn't shy.

I would feed or clean and he/she would be on my had or fingers trying to grab the frozen brine shrimp off of me.

This past Saturday I removed 90% of old rocks that I had and added 30+LBS of dry Florida reef rocks from reefcleaners.org so I can do a new look in tank with a new aquascape. Since I did that the skunk shrimp now hangs out on a powerhead 90% of the time during the day and doesn't bother to get close to my hand anymore. He/she is shy and just hides out throughout the day but at night he's all over the place.

He's eating and don't believe he's sick but since the new rocks he's not active like he use to be??? Did he all of a sudden get shy? Did new change freak him out?

Like I mentioned he's eating and actually molted Sunday morning but just curious why he is hiding out during the day now??

 

I would say home sick ha ha.. Probably the change just throwing it off.. I am sure it will be back to normal in no time

 

I would check Ammonia and Nitrite and be prepared for a few water changes. Removing 90% of existing rock took out a large part of your biofilter. Your new rocks will cure and become colonized, but it takes time.

 

OOOOOOOOH NOOOOOOOOO Mr.Bill!!! LoL

I did a water change after I changed the rocks on Saturday and I will do another one tomorrow... Majority of the rocks I removed weren't live rock but I can see where it was part of the biofilter because of the bacteria that was still on it.

All the fishes and blood red shrimp are thriving with new scenery but the one that was the most active before the change is now the least active.

 

I should've known it was just a matter of time... : <j/k> lol

"Cured" is the word, but yes, once dry rock has been submerged for 2 - 3 weeks, it becomes populated with the nitrifying bacteria.

Have you checked Ammonia? Some creatures can tolerate more than others, and it could still be rising. Always better to be safe than sorry.

 

I was thinking the same thing, that is a large portion of your biological filter to remove at once.

 

I noticed today that the skunk shrimp was back to his old self again... He's all over the place!

I ended up doing another water change a little while ago and plan on doing another one just in case on Saturday morning.. All the fishes, crabs & shrimps are doing well and are eating with no problem which is a great thing!