Is Iodine necessary? - Shrimp & other Invertebrates

Edward · 04-25-2005, 07:26 AM

Hi

After reading few shrimp forums, I am not sure what the true about dosing Iodine is. Some say dose, some say don’t.
This shrimp forum says .... Iodine is useless for fresh water shrimp.
Can somebody clarify this issue?

Thank you
Edward

Praxx42 · 04-25-2005, 07:34 AM

I'll say this: Since I started using kent Reef Iodine at 1/8th strength, I have not had a single shrimp death except for "jumpers." I have amanos ranging from 1" to 3", and they all molt and spawn with amazing regularity. I have also used Iodine with larger FW shrimp, like Macrobrahim Lahs, and it kept them growing, molting and spawning quite well. The best example went from 7" to just over a foot long (not counting the claws) within 6 months.

Iodine won't hurt your plants or other livestock. It keeps you from having to isolate your shrimp to feed them iodine-laced foods for the molting process. And iodine is used by most large LFS service departments for their SW shrimp, why wouldn't the process be the same for FW shrimp?

Although this is just my opinion (both as a hobbist and a professional aquarium service technician), it comes from 2+ years of having used iodine as a tool , and a very successful one at that.

bharada · 04-25-2005, 07:43 AM

I've never dosed iodine and have a Cherry Shrimp population that is exploding in three tanks. That said, I haven't had the same success keeping (not breeding) Amanos. In my 40g tank I started off with 12, but now have none. In my 125 I have 2 out of 12, but most of the losses in that tank were the result of a CO2 mishap last year (lost a lot of Bee shrimp as well).

Piscesgirl · 04-25-2005, 08:16 AM

I use it and recommend it, but there are those who argue either side strongly. I would err on the side of caution, however, and not overdose. One drop her ten gallons, weekly should be enough. Do realize that some trace ferts also have iodide in them.

I've learned to be a little less vehement in my discussions online as of late; But, I do remember countering someone who stated that we don't throw iodide into freshwater streams for shrimp and they do fine by saying we don't throw fertilizers into streams and the plants do fine as well!

Cavan Allen · 04-25-2005, 08:27 AM

I have rednose, 6 Amanos (2 females carrying now), and tons of cherry reds. I don't add any iodine.

richy · 04-25-2005, 03:10 PM

there isn't any conclusive *scientific* evidence that iodine is beneficial nor harmful to FW shrimp. there are those that argue why add if it's not necessary and those that argue why not if it isn't harmful. those are the most common arguments. most of what is out there is anecdotal evidence that adding iodine does wonders. i don't have any opinion on either argument, but i do add it weekly in case there are hidden benefits that i'm not aware of.

chiahead · 04-25-2005, 03:51 PM

from what I understand and I am no expert is that the shrimp need iodine in some form or another for there health. Most get it from the food that they consume but if they dont get it from their food supplimenting it will benefit there health. I read this in a few places although I cannot confirm wether it is true or not.

gnatster · 04-25-2005, 04:15 PM

Adding 1 drop in 10 gal is not going to hurt.

However iodine is quite reactive and it breaks down very fast so 1 drop once a week per 10 gal is seemingly going to do nothing. I know first hand that crustacean shells, shrimp, crabs, lobsters, all have iodine in them. Being allergic to iodine I find if I shell raw shrimp or lobster I break out in hives, pointing to high iodine content in the shell.

Whats my point...

Adding iodine in the amounts we currently do is not going to harm anything and it may help. How can we can we put this theory to test?

Piscesgirl · 04-25-2005, 04:54 PM

Nori is a good way of providing the shrimp with all the iodide they need, although I still do add it to the water columb as well.

trenac · 04-25-2005, 05:42 PM

In the beginning I did not add iodine to my shrimp tank, but on the advice of PG I started when I had baby Cherry's and have continued to use it ever since. However I cannot tell a difference in my shrimp since using iodine and when I did not use iodine. However, I continue to use iodine in case it is doing something beneficial that is not visible to the naked eye. If using 1 drop per 10 gallons once per week does not harm the shrimp I see no reason not to use the iodine.