Shrimp Molting & Shell

NaClH2ODave · 07/30/2011, 03:31 PM

I have a Common Cleaner shrimp and two Peppermint shrimp. After molting, should the leftover shell be removed from the tank or is it beneficial in some way?

Sisterlimonpot · 07/30/2011, 03:38 PM

I never remove mine. they seem to be consumed by something in the tank. leaving it in the tank wont harm anything.

Sugar Magnolia · 07/30/2011, 04:04 PM

It's fine to leave it in.

The Punisher · 07/30/2011, 05:25 PM

I also leave it in the tank. It won't hurt to remove it, but it shouldn't hurt anything to leave it in either.

canrio · 07/30/2011, 06:32 PM

I seen my first molted leftover shell last week, it took me a while to figure out what it was. I was going to remove it but it was gone when I went back to get it.

Lynnmw1208 · 07/30/2011, 08:15 PM

my nassarius snails and hermits munch on the molt

nehsmit · 07/30/2011, 09:57 PM

i would love to leave it in but its always stuck onto my hydor.

AaronM · 07/31/2011, 12:28 AM

I used to take mine out, kinda thinking i could keep track of growth. But the husks just build up on a shelf...and i never actually compared anything.

I reckon leave them in. They're consumed in few days, must be nutritious.

Ha yeah some end up wrapped around a powerhead, hey? I take those out...

AlexS95 · 07/31/2011, 12:30 AM

My urchins and crabs would always munch on them.

TACoraled · 07/31/2011, 07:07 AM

As others have said, I also normally leave them in and they disappear within a day or two. Unless it's stuck on the power head then I leave it alone.

snorvich · 07/31/2011, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

It's fine to leave it in.

I agree. That hardest part of leaving it in is recognizing that it is molt and not a dead shrimp. My wife was devastated the first time she saw a molt.

NaClH2ODave · 07/31/2011, 10:26 AM

Thanks for all the replies. Sure enough, it was gone three days later.

aleonn · 07/31/2011, 12:42 PM

I notice that when I dose my tank with Kent Essential Elements (trace elements) every 2 weeks, I see molting within a few days. Is it the iodine that stimulates the molting? Or is it just coincidence?

07/30/2011, 03:31 PM	#1
NaClH2ODave Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Upland, CA Posts: 101	Shrimp Molting & Shell I have a Common Cleaner shrimp and two Peppermint shrimp. After molting, should the leftover shell be removed from the tank or is it beneficial in some way?

07/30/2011, 03:38 PM	#2
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	I never remove mine. they seem to be consumed by something in the tank. leaving it in the tank wont harm anything. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

07/30/2011, 04:04 PM	#3
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	It's fine to leave it in. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

07/30/2011, 05:25 PM	#4
The Punisher Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,398	I also leave it in the tank. It won't hurt to remove it, but it shouldn't hurt anything to leave it in either. __________________ "I look for absolutes and there are absolutely none." 311

07/30/2011, 08:15 PM	#6
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	my nassarius snails and hermits munch on the molt __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

07/30/2011, 06:32 PM	#5
canrio Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Alton, Illinois Posts: 87	I seen my first molted leftover shell last week, it took me a while to figure out what it was. I was going to remove it but it was gone when I went back to get it.

07/30/2011, 09:57 PM	#7
nehsmit Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 60	i would love to leave it in but its always stuck onto my hydor.

07/31/2011, 12:28 AM	#8
AaronM Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 480	I used to take mine out, kinda thinking i could keep track of growth. But the husks just build up on a shelf...and i never actually compared anything. I reckon leave them in. They're consumed in few days, must be nutritious. Ha yeah some end up wrapped around a powerhead, hey? I take those out...

07/31/2011, 12:30 AM	#9
AlexS95 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Brandon, FL Posts: 1,065	My urchins and crabs would always munch on them.

07/31/2011, 07:07 AM	#10
TACoraled Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cleveland Posts: 410	As others have said, I also normally leave them in and they disappear within a day or two. Unless it's stuck on the power head then I leave it alone.

07/31/2011, 10:26 AM	#12
NaClH2ODave Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Upland, CA Posts: 101	Thanks for all the replies. Sure enough, it was gone three days later.

07/31/2011, 12:42 PM	#13
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	I notice that when I dose my tank with Kent Essential Elements (trace elements) every 2 weeks, I see molting within a few days. Is it the iodine that stimulates the molting? Or is it just coincidence?

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