Fire Shrimp molted??

[~RuSh~]

When I kept freshwater crayfish, I would leave the molt in the tank for the cray to eat later. The molt contains important nutrients that help re-inforce the crays new exoskeleton.

Should I do the same for the shrimp? It must have molted last night, and it's quite the coincidence since I am about to do a water change. I could easily scoop it out, and I'm thinking I should. I just want to be sure.
:beer:

 

[jdyer88]

good question...I usually leave mine in but never really thought about it...I am curious about what the experts say

 

[davocean]

You could pull it.
I don't, usually they are gone in a day or 2.

 

[~RuSh~]

Well, I scooped it. Hopefully he'll be ok without it...

 

[Fish4Me2]

I've noticed that most molts get stuck in my powerheads and stay there for days, so I don't think the shrimp really needs it back. I think you're ok to pull it.

 

[RyanTheLame]

The marine shrimp that I have kept simply ignore the discarded exoskeleton, so in an effort to cut down on excess deteriorating waste I usually remove it.

 

[jmchzn123]

If you have a balanced ecosystem leave everything the reef creates or discards. I have never found a dead fish .... Ever. When I don't see them on the floor and there have only been a few.... Ok a little more than a few.... several........I have to figure the fish died in the tank and nature takes care of itself. Now obviously if it's a huge dead fish take it out but anything else.......food and nutrients for the CUC. I'm just saying!

 

[~RuSh~]

If I had a larger tank, maybe I would leave it in there, but right now I'll probably scoop them as he molts. My CUC would probably take a few weeks to break down the whole molt.

 

[tmichael]

Interesting....... I always removed mine. Never knew they might come back and eat them.

 

[S13<3]

my pep shrimp molts at least once a month, i always leave it in and something ends up eating it