Cleaner Shrimp Died...

[MyMonkey]

Well, I cam home today to find my cleaner shrimp, Mr Clean, dead. At first I assumed it was a molt. The body was practically broken in half and was laying on the sand beneath my Anemone. I had him for around 9 months and he was in the tank before mine for over 2 years. He was a big one, around 3 inches.

I hope all is well with the water. All tests show normal. I wonder what the Average lifespan for cleaner shrimp in captivity is. I will miss the little guy.

 

[Gwalker]

Are you sure that theres a body in there and its not just the molt? If theres no body in the molt, hes probably hiding in the tank somewhere.

G.

 

[aleiodubua]

Yeah, I've had this happen before too. It seems like the bigger they get, the longer they hide after molting...don't know if anyone else has made that conclusion or not.

 

[MyMonkey]

Unfortunately, there was definetly a body in the shell. The tail end was readily noticeable and the thorax or mid section was full of gunk as well. As well as the fact that even when he hides after a molt, I can usually find him via the long whiskers sticking out somewhere. Would be nice if he is still in there but I think there is no chance of that. I removed the body and looked it over.

Checked the Cacium= 300 darnet. Something is using up my calcium quickly. (Halimeda I assume)

There was something else that shrmip require as an additive. Was that Iodine?

 

[aleiodubua]

yes, Iodine is needed for their molting.

But if you're doing water changes fairly frequent it should be enough.

 

[MyMonkey]

I did some research. It seems Cleaner shrimp live about 4 years in aquaria. I suppose that could have been the culprit. Old age.

 

[JR719]

Jeramy,

I usually buy large cleaners and they only last around a year, old age more than likely. The last one I bought was little so we'll see. Sounds like old age to me.

Jeff