Cleaner Shrimp

[Toni217]

THis moring i thought my cleaner shrimp had died, I notice that i have looks like a shell of the cleaner shrimp, hangin on fake coral deco and my cleaner shrimp was on the other side of the tank. Please tell me what happened should i take this shell out of my tank it is weird because it has tenticles like the shrimp.

[curtis_rachel]

No worries. The shrimp just molted. It is common as long as teh shrimp is healthy and growing. I usually take it out of my tank, because I have a hard time letting things decompose in the system. However, if the crabs find it first, I let them feast.

[Toni217]

Thank you very much Curtis Rachel. I never saw anything like it. My worries are at ease thanks again

[110galreef]

MOLTED. Good thing> M

[Reefland]

I see no need to take it out. Could turn into some food for someone.

[Toni217]

Thanks 110gal reef and Reefland for your input

[Reefland]

That's why we are here.

[derilect]

Not to hijack the thread but I figured this kind of goes along with it, my fire shrimp had him for a long time, used to molt like once a week, well since he's gotten older he molts less like once or so a month. Is this common as they get older and growth slows?

[GaryZ]

I don't know about age. But I have read that the amount of iodine in your system has something to do with it. I don't know the details though.

[110galreef]

Mine seem to molt less often as well. I have had them for three years now. So I wouldn't worry. But in my 110gal reef things disapear before I usually see them anyway. Something usually gobles it up!

But Iodine does effect their molting if to low.

[Toni217]

thanks 110galreef,Garyz and derilect. But should i add iodine to the tank?
and How big do they get?

[110galreef]

They don't get very big....maybe 3". If you do regular water changes you might not need any or may only want to add a 1/2 capful every week.

This is one of those heavily debated topics.