molted shrimp

[bizzyblake]

I looked in my tank yesterday and I saw what looked like my peppermint shrimp floating in the water. So I grabed it and flushed it. I looked at the tank again and there was the shrimp. At that time I realized that it has molted I didnt think it would happen so fast. Is this normal in a three gallon tank.

[billie6227]

Yes. It is just shedding because of the new environment. It's fine, nothing to worry about.

[sharky's machin]

My cleaner shrimp just molted too. Pretty crazy looking.

Stupid Question- will the molting pollute the tank. I went to look for it since I didn't immediately remove it and it must have slipped under a rock or something.

[snorvich]

No problem with the molt polluting the tank.

[uglyryder]

my nassarius snail ate my peps molt. it was strange to watch

[clevengergl]

Lots of times the shrimp will eat their own molt as there are vital nutrients within the carapace. They'll usually leave it out in front of whatever cave they're hiding in to "stand guard" while they wait for their new carapace to harden. Pretty cool and it's a regular occurrance in the aquarium. Nothing to worry about.