Cleaner Shrimp Molting

[siavashv]

Hi Folks,

I was just wondering if other peoples' cleaner shrimp molts as much as mine. I think in the five or six months that I have had him, he has molted like 10 times. I think one week he even molted like 3 times. Is this normal? He hadn't molted in like a month and then today he did it again... Is he mad or something? Just wondering if anyone knows.

 

[k3nnyp]

Mine molt frequently as well.

 

[dawgface]

Molting is generally considered good. However I have read that excessive iodine level can cause crustaceans to molt prematurely. I'd check your levels to rule that out.

 

[dakota9]

I had a pesky gorilla crab in my 14g BC once... It molted 3 times in 6 weeks and grew twice as big....

I found someone who wanted it.......

 

[chef jeff]

From what I've read changes in salinity will induce them to molt as well. At least the species humans farm for consumption do. I read that when I was doing some cursory research into shrimp farming. It's a method used to induce the broodstock to spawn. Seems the females mate soon after a molt.

I've noticed that when I'm not as attentive to my cube at work as I should be and the salinity fluctuates a little more than it should my cleaner shrimps will molt soon after the fluctuation stabilizes.

 

[v8fla]

My pair molted every three weeks or so untill they got bigger, now its about every 2 1/2 months..

 

[siavashv]

Dude.. He molted again today.. I hope he's happy.

 

[irahmatulla]

Does he eat alot? I notice when my CB eats a lot he molts more often.

 

[siavashv]

He's a total pig. I have to scare him away from my duncans and other coral when I feed.. Or else he will take the food away from them.

 

[db366]

Mine will actually put it's head in my anemones mouth to steal food, he truly is asking for it.

 

[bcrueter]

Mine molts every three weeks and seems really happy