Shrimp: Peeled or unpeeled?

[LessThanJaker1]

Just wondering if I shouldn't peel raw shrimp before feeding my RBTA. I've always peeled but im wondering if i should leave it on since it seems more natural. But, does it make it harder for the nem to digest? If so, is the nutrition value of the shell worth the extra digestion effort?

 

[Doe5ia14]

I peel them.

 

[cet98]

peeled here...

 

[carpenterman23]

same here

 

[567234ta]

not worth the risk cutting the anemone with a shrimp shell, could be fatal if it happened, peel

 

[ct_vol]

I only feed PE Mysis or Scallops. Big LTJ fan though, so I thought I'd post. :thumbsup:

 

[LesMartin]

Unpeeled. It wouldn't get peeled out there in the wild and there may be some nutritional value ( carotens for colour ? ) so I don't bother. They spit out the undigested shell remains.

 

[this is me]

Peeled.

 

[LessThanJaker1]

thanks for all the feedback. I'm gonna try feeding unpeeled to some of my nems.

 

[jeff@zina.com]

I peel what I directly feed, I've left them unpeeled in making my "fish chow" mix. I just don't need the extra debris in the tank.

Jeff

 

[elegance coral]

They spit out the undigested shell remains.

That's why I peel the shrimp before feeding my anemones. If they discharge the exoskeleton, undigested, they obtain no nutritional value from it. All it does is force the anemone to spend the energy to discharge it, then it drifts into the rocks where it rots.

 

[LesMartin]

The shell goes in gray but comes out transparent so they've taken 'something' from it. Quite what I don't really know, but I like to think it's pigment enhancers. (You know like they feed shrimp to captive flamingoes to keep/enhance the pink colour). But even if that turns out to be wishful thinking, the shell remains aren't difficult to remove as the tank is mostly sand.

 

[BonsaiNut]

Doesn't make a difference to the anemone, if it makes you happier, peel away Anemones eat crabs, clams, snails, and sea urchins - to say nothing about sharp fish bones - so a little shrimp exoskeleton isn't going to hurt it.

Far more important to make sure the shrimp is FRESH - any smell AT ALL and toss it.