I think I killed my new shrimp :(

We setup a river reef 48 ltr marine aquarium about 4 weeks ago, added live rock 2 weeks ago. Tested ph nitrates and salinity - all where the guides say they should be as is temp. Went to the pet shop to get a cleaner shrimp and hermit crab today. Guy in shop tortured the poor shrimp getting him out. Got them home and left the bags in the tank water For 20 mins as advised by guy in shop. (now know I should have drip acclimatised them). When I opened the shrimp bag, it jerked backwards to try and escape from the tank water. Then it sat on the bottom, rubbed it's legs for a while and moved a couple of cm. Several (concerned) hours later I put the net in to see if he'd move but he's lifeless. The crab seems okish - not very active but still moves a bit. I'm guessing I've killed the shrimp - who my kids named Mack (sniff).
Just wanted to make sure they don't sleep really deeply or drop into a coma and wake up after a day or so - that he really is dead
I'm really saddened by this but also p*ssed that I spent £17 for the experience. Do dead inverts usually qualify for refunds?
Many thanks for any hugs, condolences or suggestions about the shrimps reaction to the water.
Rob

 

Depend on store. Also, I would of just temp allice the shrimp and dump it in.

 

If you mean leave the shrimp in his bag of shop water in the top of the tank water to match the temp of the waters and then open the bag and drop him in, then that is what I did.

 

He could have died from a difference in salinity, they're sensitive to that.

 

Did you use tap water when you set up your tank? If so, then it was probably something in that like copper.

 

Did you test for ammonia? 4 weeks is a pretty short cycle.

 

+1,very likely senerio.

 

The water is sea water from a different (better) fish shop.
Didn't test for ammonia - damn this nano reef thing is complicated - need a phd!
Hermit seems to be perking up. Was told cleaner shrimp was a good first piece of livestock - before any fish - what I'm reading on here suggests otherwise!!

 

The solution to the salinity problem is the drip acclimatising method ?

 

no,not a bad choice to start with if your cycle is done,but a drip acclimation is best for locally purchased livestock(meaning that you didn't have it shipped)so that the animal can adjust slowly to your tank conditions,temp,salinity,ph,etc.