What to do with Cleaner Shrimp Molt?

[newguy1983]

Okay,

So a little over a week ago I added a Skunk Cleaner Shrimp to my tank (love him [or her] by the way) and it molted last night (which explains why it wasn't eating for a few days).

So, now what do I do with the "molt" shell? Do I leave it in there? Do I take it out? I've never sucessfully kept one alive long enough for this to happen so it's a first for me. I have had these shrimp before and some never molted, even after several months - so I am glad this happened after 10 days :-D.

Thoughts?

 

[jasonrp104]

I always take mine out. If I can't get a small crab molt, I'll leave it but I always take the shrimp molt out.

 

[chimmike]

it'll get eaten by the other creatures in the tank. It's not harmful.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I just leave it in the tank.

 

[newguy1983]

How often will these shrimp molt anyway?

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I leave mine in the tank too.

A single shrimp kept alone will molt every few months. They molt more when they are smaller because they are growing.

 

[newguy1983]

Ive been reading they do good in pairs (preferably better in pairs), should I consider a second one, or no?

 

[launchnukes]

if i can get it, i ususally take it out. if not, i just leave it in there.

i think they usually molt every 6-8 weeks or so. sometimes sooner, sometimes later.

 

[Brandon M]

I leave mine too, never had a problem.

 

[rssjsb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14687816#post14687816 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newguy1983
Ive been reading they do good in pairs (preferably better in pairs), should I consider a second one, or no?

I think they do. An added benefit is that a pair will spawn regularly, providing free food for your fish.

 

[newguy1983]

Might pick up a second one this weekend then.

I was really shocked to see him/her molt so soon to be honest as Ive been having some pH issues and some red slime like algae issue - so I didn't think it was gonna happen soon...but am glad he/she did...

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

It's quite common for them to molt within a few days of being introduced.

 

[TomRep]

If the molt is still pretty much in tact, you can pull it out and dry it. I actually watched mine molt one day and imediately pulled it out, formed it back into the shape of him/her standing upright and let it dry. Now it is a crisp little exoskeleton twin of him/her and it up at my work on my "tank display" shelf.
tom

 

[NaH2Ofreak]

I think it's kinda funny when the fish swim up to the molted skeleton and wait to be cleaned. Like DUH!!!!


Dennis

 

[reefD]

if you got clean up crew leave it in as the molt is a supplemental feeding

 

[sanababit]

leave it

sana

 

[snorvich]

I just leave mine in. No issues whatsoever.

 

[budbreak96]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14693995#post14693995 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NaH2Ofreak
I think it's kinda funny when the fish swim up to the molted skeleton and wait to be cleaned. Like DUH!!!!


Dennis

What shrimp is it that cleans the fish? and what fish like the shrimp to clean them? Im new to the shrimp thing and just put two pepermints in my tank for aptisia and they are all gone already. Also will the shrimp that clean the fish get along with pepermint shrimps?
Thanks, Joe

 

[newguy1983]

Budbreak96,

Look at my avatar, its a Skunk Cleaner Shrimp and my Goby loves to be "cleaned" per say...it's really cool. A bunch of other fish are like that as well - but I'm sure others will chime in as to the list of fish they've had experience with...

 

[sikpupy]

Do you have a bigger picture of that avatar? That is funny as all mighty he$$