shrimp molt

[Klaus777]

A couple of days ago I added my CUC and today I found that one of the shrimp had molted. How often does this happen and can I leave the shell in the tank? It's in an awkward spot to get at right now.

[Michael]

it wont hurt in the tank, and it happens quite frequently, i had a fire shrimp who had shed his skin 3 times in just a few months, unfortunately my top off machine stuck on and the fresh water killed him off, but regardless of that they do shed often

[Klaus777]

Interesting. Thanks.

[Uncle Salty 05]

I would remove the molted shell if at all possible.
Never a good idea to leave dead or dying tissue of any kind laying in the tank.

[qfrisco]

My cleaner shrimp molts every 3 weeks or so. One thing that amazes me is how quickly it grows its exoskeleton back! Normally by the time I notice the molt, he's already grown his exoskeleton back.

I've also never taken the molt out of the tank. Doesn't seem to hurt anything. The CUC takes care of it pretty quickly.

[jasonrp104]

I usually get rid of mine but that's just because it always seems to get sucked into a powerhead and little bits of shrimp start blowing all around

[gradth]

my cleaner shrimp seem to molt every few weeks. I pull what I can out, just because.

[Fish_wiz2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14117221#post14117221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Uncle Salty 05
I would remove the molted shell if at all possible.
Never a good idea to leave dead or dying tissue of any kind laying in the tank.

it is only the exoskeleton and no tissue. so it will not foul up your water. i still remove it because it just looks bad and ends up in the powerheads

[Beanfish]

My Peppermint shrimp used to molt about every week and a half. Not sure if it's true or not as I never researched it but another reefer on here had said that the shell would actually add a little calcium to your tank. I always left it in there with no harm.

[NirvanaFan]

I've always left the molts in the tank. It shouldn't foul up the water because it's not living tissue.

[btb72]

I always think its cool when my coral banded molts, all of a sudden i see two long antennas poking out at a place he usually isn't. But I've never taken them out in the 4 years I've had the tank.