Help! My fire shrimp is no longer red

[clj1113]

I have had a fire shrimp for about 8 months now and the last month or so his color has started fading. He is almost the color of a peppermint shrimp now. My ammonia and nitrites are always 0 but nitrate tends to run a bit high. Do high nitrate levels cause this or is he lacking something in his diet? What can I do to help him get his beautiful red color back?

 

[rlf_racing]

He could be getting ready to molt.

 

[Newreeflady]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12848959#post12848959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rlf_racing
He could be getting ready to molt.

+1. These guys should molt regularly if you've got sufficient Iodine. It concerns me that you haven't seen it molt in 8 months... this is probably a lack of water changes or insufficient trace elements in the salt you're using.

You'll notice that before they molt they look dull and they may stop eating and hide. Then you'll find the molt, which looks like another whole shrimp! And, you'll have a happy bright shrimp again

-A

 

[Playa-1]

Maybe you got one a them mexican fire shrimpz. Somebody died it red and charged you an extra $5 :lol:

 

[snorvich]

Is that really a possibility????

 

[ILoveReefer]

How often does a fire shrimp molt. I have had mine for around 9 months and have not seen it molt either. Although he is in hiding all day and night except at dinner. My scarlet molt's every 3 weeks or so for the past year.

 

[snorvich]

I can't give you an exact frequency but I see the "molts" every couple of months or so; however, I don't know that I see EVERY one.