So Bill Cody....your observations on salinity and it's effect on scuds. Any idea on who we could contact who could tie species to water temp, and species to salinity, etc...
Also, if scuds were put in a small pond that already has a large invertebrate population, can you think of any possible downsides to stocking scuds? Would they outcompete any other important invertebrates? What do they eat...detritus, zooplankton??? A million questions.
I'm seriously considering buying a gallon for stocking. What about time of year for best success? I'd love to do it right now.
Is there a chance that some fish parasites may make the trip to my pond from Minnesota within the scuds?
Also, here's a thread that discusses the possibility of the scud being an intermediary host to certain harmful parasites.
http://www.centralpets.com/animals/fish/freshwater_inverts/fwi5003.html In the suppliers words:
Shrimp prefer a variety of water depths but they do need relatively clean water...they are very sensitive to chemicals, pesticides, sediments and salts from field run-off, ditches, tile or brackish water. They are gill breathers and are susceptible to turbid or dirty waters. They are also susceptible to a low pH (acid waters)...such as a pH below 5...as this could break down their shell bodies made of calcium.
If your water receives alot of run-off or other impacts which result in turbid waters or low pHs, then we would recommend that you hold off on shrimp for right now and contact one of our Private Lands Consultants for information on how you might be able to take steps to clean your waters.
IMPORTANT - shrimp have to be installed within 24 hours of receiving your package. There are literally 20 to 40 thousand shrimp per gallon and they need to get into water. These shrimp are mated pairs and will reproduce 2 or 3 times during the year producing 50 to 75 young per time. Very prolific and will come back year after year if your pond will support them.
INSTALLATION...
Through the ice...simply augur holes, acclimate the shrimp to the water temperature and chemistry and then pour the shrimp in. The entire process may take 10 to 15 minutes per hole drilled.
No ice?...then simply lay the packages in the water and acclimate.
Follow these instructions for best success...
1) Best to install shrimp the same day, especially if packed tight in coolers
2) Augur holes 30 yards or more from shore with ice auger or chisel.
3) Place transport bag �Top up� in augured hole and then open bag. Leave shrimp in bag to adjust bag water to lake water temperature. If there isn't ice in your location, then perform this procedure along the shore edge.
4) Augur other holes around pond area and place bags as previous.
5) Return to previous bags and slowly add lake water to the shrimp bag to adjust water to lake water chemistry. This is a simple acclimation step to increase the survivability of your shrimp. When acclimated, dump shrimp into hole and gently push under ice if needed. Cover the hole with ice shavings.
Each gallon contains approx. 20 to 40 thousand shrimp!
Planting Rate - 1 to 2 gals. per acre
