Shrimp sheds shell... Good or Bad?

The_Chad · 11/19/2010, 06:07 AM

Today I looked into my tank to find a second shrimp, or so I thought. After looking closer I found that it was only the shell. What does this mean ? is it normal?

Thanks for any information in advance.

OneReef · 11/19/2010, 06:10 AM

Normal. They do it regularly. It is called a molt. Your crabs will do it too.

GiZmo88 · 11/19/2010, 06:15 AM

+1 this is normal my cleaner shrimp used to molt once every two or three months. Nothing to worry about.

Indymann99 · 11/19/2010, 07:59 AM

Normal, my cleaner shrimp molt every month.

After a year I am now to lazy to remove the molts... they seem to dissolve / or get handled by the CUC.

T Diddy · 11/19/2010, 08:06 AM

as mentioned...good things. molts = growth

Korrine · 11/19/2010, 08:25 AM

I have read that it's good to leave the molts in the tank. They can come back and regain nutrients by chowing down on it.

frankpayne32 · 11/19/2010, 11:09 AM

Good. It means it's growing and is likely healthy.

Dino · 11/19/2010, 11:32 AM

As already mentioned, it's completely normal. Anything with a hard exoskeleton will molt, this includes insects, arachnids, and crustaceans. Their exoskeleton doesn't grow so in order for them to grow they have to regularly shed or molt their old "skins".

scubasteve06 · 11/19/2010, 11:41 AM

I also leave the molts in the tank, along with the crab molts. I've seen my snails mainly munching on them, but the crabs seem to leave them alone. Makes no sense really as the crabs are always fighting amongst themselves, they seem to be cannibals, but don't eat the molts. I guess they know that there is nothing good to eat there

11/19/2010, 06:07 AM	#1
The_Chad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mustang, OK Posts: 121	Shrimp sheds shell... Good or Bad? Today I looked into my tank to find a second shrimp, or so I thought. After looking closer I found that it was only the shell. What does this mean ? is it normal? Thanks for any information in advance.

11/19/2010, 06:15 AM	#3
GiZmo88 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Uniontown Posts: 133	+1 this is normal my cleaner shrimp used to molt once every two or three months. Nothing to worry about. __________________ 110G Mixed Reef, 30G Sump/fuge, Reef Octo 200, 2-250MH, 2-VHO. Vortech powered. SPS/LPS Current Tank Info: 110 mixed reef

11/19/2010, 07:59 AM	#4
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	Normal, my cleaner shrimp molt every month. After a year I am now to lazy to remove the molts... they seem to dissolve / or get handled by the CUC. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

11/19/2010, 08:06 AM	#5
T Diddy Slayer of Mice Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 1,338	as mentioned...good things. molts = growth __________________ America's best are not in America. Current Tank Info: 140 Gallon DSA in-wall, foam/rock wall, DIY LED, 40g sump, Precision Marine Skimmer, 100 gallon refugium, NO3, PO4,NH3/4 undetectable, Mg, Ca, KH...eeehhhhhh?

11/19/2010, 08:25 AM	#6
Korrine You could get a ticket!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 4,288 Blog Entries: 1	I have read that it's good to leave the molts in the tank. They can come back and regain nutrients by chowing down on it. __________________ Try to keep in mind that we are all human...mistakes do happen! Be kinder than necessary because every one you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder - started 9/2011 - platinum perc and sanjay's black photon clownfishes; sps and lps, and soft corals; 250w MH, 20 long sump w Bubble Magus Nac 3.5 skimmer 12g nano cube -serpent star, mini carpet anemones, w 6 sexy shrimp, 150w MH, maxi je

11/19/2010, 06:10 AM	#2
OneReef Reef Guru Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: the great South Posts: 3,218	Normal. They do it regularly. It is called a molt. Your crabs will do it too.

11/19/2010, 11:09 AM	#7
frankpayne32 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,177	Good. It means it's growing and is likely healthy. __________________ Frank Payne Advice to new hobbyists: listen to people that have a tank you would like to have one day, not to those with a high post count. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon in-wall (build thread is my homepage).

11/19/2010, 11:32 AM	#8
Dino Freak of Nature Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Finding my way back to the boondocks Posts: 11,048	As already mentioned, it's completely normal. Anything with a hard exoskeleton will molt, this includes insects, arachnids, and crustaceans. Their exoskeleton doesn't grow so in order for them to grow they have to regularly shed or molt their old "skins". __________________ Cody I will love and miss you until the last beat of my heart Harley & Rusty.

11/19/2010, 11:41 AM	#9
scubasteve06 Jeeper Reefer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 1,171	I also leave the molts in the tank, along with the crab molts. I've seen my snails mainly munching on them, but the crabs seem to leave them alone. Makes no sense really as the crabs are always fighting amongst themselves, they seem to be cannibals, but don't eat the molts. I guess they know that there is nothing good to eat there

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