Shrimp Molt

[amosgirl]

My coral banded shrimp molted last night. May seem like a stupid question and perhaps the answer is obvious but is it best to pull the old parts out of the tank or leave them? I was planning on pulling it out, but then it dawned on me that some of the things I was once upon a time planning on doing with the tank were not so smart.

 

[taillonjohn]

either or.... it is basically just pure calcium, so it's not bad at all for your tank

 

[jlt23]

I always leave it in the tank. My cleanup crew takes care of it.

 

[sunfish11]

Leave it in. The shrimp itself or the other crustaceans will eat it and get some of the calcium they need to build there carpaces out of it.

Lisa

 

[amosgirl]

Thanks!! I will just leave it then. I have to admit that it looked a little strange when the lights came on this morning!! My husband (new to fish) went into panic that his favorite shrimp died. Thankfully I knew enough to calm him with good news. HE'S NOT DEAD!!

 

[JENnKerry]

Just wait til he molts again, only to find the carcass stuck in a powerhead. THat will really shock your husband

 

[PUParrothead]

How often do they generally molt? I have a new tank and the same thing just happened...thought he was a goner until I saw him hiding behind one of my bigger rocks.

 

[JENnKerry]

It all really depends. Mine has molted twice in the last month.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

My shrimp usually molt once a month. Sometimes 2 if I feed them a lot.

 

[seapug]

I've read many times that it's best to leave the molt in the tank. They are a very rich protien source for your pod population. I have two skunk cleaners that spawn and molt every 20 days. The old "shells" are completely consumed within 48 hours.

 

[Bambalam]

I feed molts to my Lobophyllia