Found a piece of mantis shrimp shell...molting or dead?

[andromedia226]

My G platy's been molting/"or something" for the past two weeks. I understand that the take a long long long time to molt, so I wasn't worried until today, when I noticed that there was a whole chunk of armor on the bottom of the tank. There was no flesh attached, and it was very intact. Just a plain ole piece of the armor. It looked very thin, too.

I'm hoping it's a piece of molt, just want to make sure it's not a decomposing body...

How does this fit in with your experiences?

Thanks

 

[andromedia226]

Oh! I pulled it out, and touched it... it pretty much disintegrated in my hands. Molt? Pleasepleasepleaseplease molt.

 

[darkmuncan]

Sounds like a molt.

 

[justinl]

sounds like a molt. test the water. If the mantis had had time to decompose to that kind of state you WILL notice it in water quality. If water parameters haven`t spiked then the mantis is likely just chilling in its burrow until its new exoskeleton is firm enough for it to feel comfortable.

 

[justinl]

oh and a molt is likely to be very brittle and fragile because before actually shedding the exoskeleton, a mantis will suck nutrients and good stuff out of its old shell. That way its easier to make a new exoskeleton.

 

[andromedia226]

Sweeeet! Thanks all!