New Shrimp + Acclimating + Molt=?

Nyxe · 07/12/2008, 03:56 PM

Quick question. I'm 1.5hrs into acclimating 3 cleaner shrimp we purchased today. One of the shrimp (don't know which) has molted! What are his chances of surviving molting while being acclimated? (Still have a half hour or so left of dripping to go.)? Will netting it so soon after molting kill it?

drparker · 07/12/2008, 04:02 PM

His new shell is very soft. needs time to harden, like a day or two . Be very gentle with him. Other big issue would current tank inhabitants messing with him

Nyxe · 07/12/2008, 04:09 PM

I don't think there's anything in my tank that would bother him.

In my MT I have:

Fish:
2 Occelaris clowns
1 Pink spotted watchman goby

Inverts:
misc. snails
1 emerald crab (body size w/o legs smaller than a nickel)
3-5 black banded hermit crabs (I think that's what they're called)

Various corals, etc. LR LS plenty of nooks and crannies.

peterpaul · 07/12/2008, 04:59 PM

THat usually happens to shrimp whenever you you add a new one to your tank. It will be fine.

stingythingy45 · 07/12/2008, 05:28 PM

1.5hrs ???...that's way too long 1/2 should be plenty.
Only snails need an extended period of time to acclimate.
Next time check the SG in the bag,if your close in your display/QT don't go so long.
The shrimp should be fine,it will hide for a few days once released.

Esquare · 07/12/2008, 05:40 PM

I had the same thing happen Nyxe except the shrimp was in the tank. I thought that I killed he till he came out and stood next to his shell.

Nyxe · 07/12/2008, 05:53 PM

When I first saw it I thought one died during acclimation. Then I counted and saw 3 shrimp and 1 molt (split in the middle so I knew for sure).

I just reread some stuff on acclimation. Everywhere I read stresses that snails, crabs, and shrimp should all be acclimated slowly because they are more sensitive to changes in temperature, salinity, pH, etc. TBH I always spend at least 2hrs acclimating my new critters. Better to go slow and gentle than fast and furious.

So far it's worked fine for me.

snorvich · 07/12/2008, 06:00 PM

acclimation time is a function of the difference between transport specific gravity and tank specific gravity measured with a refractometer. The greater the difference, the greater the acclimation time. None of your current inhabitants should pose a problem.

07/12/2008, 03:56 PM	#1
Nyxe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 72	New Shrimp + Acclimating + Molt=? Quick question. I'm 1.5hrs into acclimating 3 cleaner shrimp we purchased today. One of the shrimp (don't know which) has molted! What are his chances of surviving molting while being acclimated? (Still have a half hour or so left of dripping to go.)? Will netting it so soon after molting kill it?

07/12/2008, 05:28 PM	#5
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	1.5hrs ???...that's way too long 1/2 should be plenty. Only snails need an extended period of time to acclimate. Next time check the SG in the bag,if your close in your display/QT don't go so long. The shrimp should be fine,it will hide for a few days once released. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

07/12/2008, 05:40 PM	#6
Esquare Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lorain, Ohio Posts: 1,954	I had the same thing happen Nyxe except the shrimp was in the tank. I thought that I killed he till he came out and stood next to his shell. __________________ Eddie Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder with Dwarf Lionfish

07/12/2008, 06:00 PM	#8
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	acclimation time is a function of the difference between transport specific gravity and tank specific gravity measured with a refractometer. The greater the difference, the greater the acclimation time. None of your current inhabitants should pose a problem. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

07/12/2008, 04:02 PM	#2
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	His new shell is very soft. needs time to harden, like a day or two . Be very gentle with him. Other big issue would current tank inhabitants messing with him

07/12/2008, 04:09 PM	#3
Nyxe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 72	I don't think there's anything in my tank that would bother him. In my MT I have: Fish: 2 Occelaris clowns 1 Pink spotted watchman goby Inverts: misc. snails 1 emerald crab (body size w/o legs smaller than a nickel) 3-5 black banded hermit crabs (I think that's what they're called) Various corals, etc. LR LS plenty of nooks and crannies.

07/12/2008, 04:59 PM	#4
peterpaul Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: N/A Posts: 73	THat usually happens to shrimp whenever you you add a new one to your tank. It will be fine.

07/12/2008, 05:53 PM	#7
Nyxe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 72	When I first saw it I thought one died during acclimation. Then I counted and saw 3 shrimp and 1 molt (split in the middle so I knew for sure). I just reread some stuff on acclimation. Everywhere I read stresses that snails, crabs, and shrimp should all be acclimated slowly because they are more sensitive to changes in temperature, salinity, pH, etc. TBH I always spend at least 2hrs acclimating my new critters. Better to go slow and gentle than fast and furious. So far it's worked fine for me.