Question about shrimp

[trailmule]

My shrimp, I assume, has just shed it's skin. I guess you call it that... or maybe the shell, exoskeleton?

I know this is good, because it means he is growing. Right?

Should I remove the shell (it was stuck in the intake tube) or should I let the other fish pick at it?

I've never had a shrimp, so this is all brand new to me!

I hope the shrimp is okay. This is probably why we couldn't find him this morning....


Thanks

-TM

 

[ishar]

hehehe yeah shrimpies go into hiding whenever they molt (that is what it is alled when the shed their exoskeleton ). It is perfectly normal so do not worry (as you said you weren't).

I usually leave it until my water change and then I make sure to remove it then. It is fine to leave it in (I think- I always do- in fact there are two in my tank right now) so unless you hate looking at it or it worries you or you really really like your tank clean then go ahead and remove it- as far as I know, no harm will come to your tank or its inhabitants either way.

 

[jen0910]

Most of the time mine end up eating most of their shed exoskeleton, so I wouldn't worry about leaving it in the tank.

 

[trailmule]

That works. I'll leave it in there until I do my next WC...

Thanks guys. I really like having a shrimp - he's cool to watch

-TM

 

[TabMorte]

I read that you should leave it so they can eat it and consume the neutriants lost in it.