# Why Are My Shrimp Dying? Emergency Checklist

Last updated: 2026-05-25

Canonical page: https://shrimptank.app/why-are-my-shrimp-dying

Shrimp Tank's emergency guide helps freshwater shrimp keepers work through repeated shrimp deaths without changing too many things at once. It starts with colony-wide risks that can affect every shrimp in the tank: ammonia, nitrite, oxygen, filter flow, temperature, recent changes, and possible contamination.

## Short Answer

When shrimp are dying, start with the checks that can affect the whole tank first. Remove visible dead shrimp, confirm ammonia and nitrite if possible, check filter flow and oxygen, review nitrate and temperature, and write down anything that changed in the last 72 hours before making larger adjustments.

## First Checks

- Remove visible dead shrimp so they do not keep adding waste to the tank.
- Test ammonia and nitrite. Any measurable result is an urgent water-safety signal.
- Check nitrate after ammonia and nitrite, especially if feeding or waste has increased.
- Check filter flow, oxygen, and temperature because stress can build quickly when circulation or oxygen is low.
- Review the last 72 hours for water changes, new shrimp, plants, food, medication, fertilizer, filter cleaning, substrate disturbance, temperature swings, power outages, or cleaning sprays nearby.
- Consider possible contaminants from chemicals, plants, decor, medication, fertilizer, or non-shrimp-safe products.

## Related Tool

- Free interactive checklist: https://shrimptank.app/shrimp-emergency-checklist
- The checklist creates a copyable help post with tank context, water readings, recent changes, completed checks, notes, and the current plan.
- Saved tank records require an account, but the public checklist can be used before signup.

## Important Notes

Shrimp Tank is not veterinary software and does not replace experienced aquarium judgment. The emergency checklist is a triage and record-organizing tool for aquarium hobbyists.