Cleaner shrimp molted, what do I do?

[nicolac7@gmail.com]

HI there, I just set up my 1st reef aquarium and after 8 days I introduced 2 Cleaner shrimp, 5 snails and a starfish. I little crab just appeared from nowhere, it much have been there in the rocks since I set up.

BUT>>>>I just looked into the tank and thought my one of my Cleaner shrimp was dead, but I looked and both are still there? did it molt? It only went in yesterday, is it ok? Should I take the shell out or leave it there for something to eat?

I really am a beginner? Also how soon do I need to start water changes (10%) as I think the tank needs a while to build up bacteria etc?

Any advice is welcome? Thanks

[badassweasel]

i would say its molted and its fine

How often do fire cleaner shrimp shed? - Reef Sanctuary

[mike007]

the only reasonable explanation is that it did molt. it should be fine, it could have happened so soon just because it hadnt in a while. pure coincidence lol. about what to do with it... its really up to you. i would take it out if i had such a new tank. what kind of starfish do you have? that or the crab might eat it.

and about your water changes, i would wait a while to let the tank go through its cycle. i wouldn't have added anything till much much later. here are
a couple of links to some guides.

Aquarium Set-up: Water Changes, The Key to Saltwater Aquarium Success

Nitrogen Cycle: The Cycle of Life
hope these help!

[charlie]

I am gonna move this into the Reef Aquarium forum so you will get some more looks.

[nicolac7@gmail.com]

Thanks Charlie, I will read these alrigth, I have gone back to read all the info for newbes since, and one of my cleaner shrimp seems to have eggs now? little surprises every day, I assume anything that hatches will get eaten anyway by something in the tank

[Ninong]

Thanks Charlie, I will read these alrigth, I have gone back to read all the info for newbes since, and one of my cleaner shrimp seems to have eggs now? little surprises every day, I assume anything that hatches will get eaten anyway by something in the tank

Actually both of your cleaner shrimp will have eggs, not just one. They're simultaneous hermaphrodites.

[nicolac7@gmail.com]

Thanks for all the feedback. The mystery crab seems to be a gorilla crab so i am borrowing a crab trap to get rid of him as I heard they are bad news, all seems to be going well with the tank, it is day 14 and finding so many little things living and beginning to grow on the rocks, as a newbe I am fascinated...I will bring in another sample to the shop tomorrow to make sure the water one again gets the thumbs up...will post some pics up soon also

[almostdiva]

Sounds like you are off to a good start! Take your time, do your research and decide what you want before you go to the store and get talked into something you don't want/isn't appropriate for your set up or tank mates (I am totally saying this from experience, having bought a sohol tang and put it into a 55g aquarium when I first started out). A reef, I think, is a lot like having an outdoor garden -- part of the fun is planning it out and watching everything grow. There are lots of smart people here who can help out, too. We've all made some really dumb mistakes -- so you don't have to!
'

[charlie]

We've all made some really dumb mistakes -- so you don't have to!

Is that why we are here?;;;;

[almostdiva]

Is that why we are here?

Yep! Oh, and to look at pictures, talk about beer/adult beverages and --occasionally -- sports.

[charlie]

I am glad someone explained that to me. I would have never known.