Shrimp deteriorating after new plants: what to check

Stop new additions, check filtration and gas exchange, and measure temperature, ammonia and nitrite. Carefully remove a suspect recent plant addition if this can be done without major disturbance. Problems soon after planting make the event relevant to investigation, but do not prove pesticides caused them.

Reduce possible exposure

Prepare suitable clean water when contamination or a water problem is plausible. Required replacement depends on circumstances: a fixed small change may dilute too little. Avoid the same suspect water source and do not wait until every possible substance is detectable with home tests. Follow the problem-solving route and seek qualified help for continuing deaths.

Do not let equipment run dry or hastily transfer animals to an unknown, unprepared aquarium. Activated carbon does not remove every substance; a filter product cannot prove the danger has passed. Do not add an antidote, bacterial powder or medication without a suitable reason.

Record the entire event

• Which plant, supplier and product form? Was treatment known, and were gel, packaging or pot material removed?
• What else happened simultaneously: substrate disturbance, fertilisation, CO2 adjustment, trimming or a water change?
• When did behaviour change, which animals are affected and what are the readings? Keep labels and photographs.
• Is there substantial dying foliage or blockage? Remove clearly decaying material and restore function.

Normal behaviour in a few snails or a low copper reading does not exclude unknown residues. Conversely, snail deaths do not prove copper poisoning. Use the recorded information for targeted investigation and assess future plants before introduction.

Sources and scope

• Tropica: plant product types
• UF/IFAS: Ammonia in Aquatic Systems
• UF/IFAS: Dissolved Oxygen for Fish Production
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of Aquarium Fish

The sources support investigating product residues, water loading and the timeline. Temporal association does not prove poisoning. These first steps are an editorial application of water and health guidance, not a remote diagnosis.