Cleaner Shrimp

yershifish · 03/17/2011, 07:41 PM

Is it normal for a cleaner shrimp to shed/molt after being introduced to a new tank? It's only been 5 days after I put him in the tank, and after coming home from school today, I found his old exo-skeleton.

Here's a picture to show you guys.
His tentacle thingys are beginning to look longer too.

DSC_5563.jpg

Lynnmw1208 · 03/17/2011, 08:02 PM

I think I read somewhere that said this is quite common. I love these guys and can't wait to get some for my tank!

Reefbuoy · 03/17/2011, 08:05 PM

My Fire Shrimp molts every couple of months. His color gets darker before the molt.

rodster912000 · 03/17/2011, 08:18 PM

same thing happened here, couple day after bringing the cleaner shrimp home he molted!

GhostCon1 · 03/17/2011, 08:18 PM

All ecdysozoans (organisms that molt) usually do so as a result of some environmental change.

In your shrimp's case the new water may not have had the same balance of elements in it as the old, or a difference in temperature, etc.

lake_effect · 03/17/2011, 10:21 PM

My peppermint shrimps molt every 2-3 weeks. I've read that this is completely normal. Noting molt frequency is a good way of checking that they are healthy as they will stop molting as a result of nutrient deficiencies in the water (probably iodine).

After they molt, the shrimp will be vulnerable until their new exoskeleton hardens - so make sure they have places to hide.

Jdbohan · 03/18/2011, 08:46 AM

Mine molted in the bag on the ride home from my lfs

yershifish · 03/18/2011, 02:34 PM

That's cool everyone. Thanks for the replies. So should I start dosing my tank with a little bit of iodine now?

GhostCon1 · 03/18/2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yershifish

That's cool everyone. Thanks for the replies. So should I start dosing my tank with a little bit of iodine now?

No, just do your regular water changes.

03/17/2011, 07:41 PM	#1
yershifish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 13	Cleaner Shrimp Is it normal for a cleaner shrimp to shed/molt after being introduced to a new tank? It's only been 5 days after I put him in the tank, and after coming home from school today, I found his old exo-skeleton. Here's a picture to show you guys. His tentacle thingys are beginning to look longer too. DSC_5563.jpg Last edited by yershifish; 03/17/2011 at 07:43 PM. Reason: Adding more to the description

03/17/2011, 08:02 PM	#2
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	I think I read somewhere that said this is quite common. I love these guys and can't wait to get some for my tank! __________________ 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

03/17/2011, 08:05 PM	#3
Reefbuoy Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Maryland Posts: 126	My Fire Shrimp molts every couple of months. His color gets darker before the molt. __________________ Sean 2 Percula Clowns (from 2003 and 2005), Azure Damsel, Tail Spot Blenny, Six Line Wrasse Current Tank Info: Oceanic 40 gal. stretch hex, mp10, 10 gal. sump/refugium/Chaeto/Syncra Silent 2.0, Reef Octopus 110SS, AI Prime

03/17/2011, 08:18 PM	#5
GhostCon1 Rebmem Deretsiger Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,590	All ecdysozoans (organisms that molt) usually do so as a result of some environmental change. In your shrimp's case the new water may not have had the same balance of elements in it as the old, or a difference in temperature, etc. __________________ In the works Current Tank Info: Getting a big'un

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03/17/2011, 08:18 PM	#4
rodster912000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: buffalo ny Posts: 177	same thing happened here, couple day after bringing the cleaner shrimp home he molted!

03/17/2011, 10:21 PM	#6
lake_effect Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hyde Park, Chicago Posts: 20	My peppermint shrimps molt every 2-3 weeks. I've read that this is completely normal. Noting molt frequency is a good way of checking that they are healthy as they will stop molting as a result of nutrient deficiencies in the water (probably iodine). After they molt, the shrimp will be vulnerable until their new exoskeleton hardens - so make sure they have places to hide.

03/18/2011, 08:46 AM	#7
Jdbohan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 19	Mine molted in the bag on the ride home from my lfs

03/18/2011, 02:34 PM	#8
yershifish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 13	That's cool everyone. Thanks for the replies. So should I start dosing my tank with a little bit of iodine now?