Cleanup Shrimp Help

[rbredding]

I've got two of them in a 30gal (with 2 Ocellaris and a Midas Blenny)...


This morning I found "shrimp parts" stuck to the filter intake..

both shrimp appear to be alive and intact (one was out and about, the other was in a cave in the rock work)

Do the shrimp molt?
or
Has one of them started the dying process (and need to be removed from the tank)

 

[smoothie]

Yes they molt and I think it has scared the mess out of all of us the first time we see it

 

[oil_fan]

Agreed...molt.

 

[rbredding]

is that a sign of a healthy shrimp?

How often does it happen?

Thanks for putting my mind at ease... Of course I was thinking.. Crap, what have I done.. Everything was going great...

 

[jason sartain]

From what I've read if well feed, shrimp can molt every 2 weeks.This is also the time that the male deposits a sperm "pack" to the female if you have a pair or more.They can also change sex every time they molt,again according to what I've read.

 

[claudiasmom]

Ours did the same thing and I thought they were goners. I have heard that most shrimp can molt up to 4 or 5 times until they are adult and some species molt after becoming adults. It does make you think they have died since they hide for a few days until their new exoskeleton hardens but it is normal. It is a sign of a healthy shrimp!

 

[tnyga]

your shrimp is doing great...know it had me worried first time round lol

 

[rbredding]

cool...


as far as "breeding" goes... judging by the way my clowns and blenny act when I put mysis/brine in the tank.... none of them would make it 30 minutes...