CBS Molting

[the infamous sea cucumber]

I went home yesterday and was able to witness my Coral Banded Shrimp molt. It was late at night, and he was doing it out in the open insted of the rockwork (spotted him with a flashlight). It was pretty amazing to watch, he wiggled back and forth for about 2 minutes, and then just seemed to slid right out of his old body. It's molted about 10 or more times during its life in my tank, and i've never seen it happen in person until now. I was wondering if anyone else has seen this? Too bad i didnt have a camra ready <img src="graemlins//yell.gif" border="0" alt="[yell]" />

 

[kev]

The Infamous Sea Cucumber, what did your CBS look like before it molted? Did its activity change last couple of days before it molted? I recently purchased a CBS and find them very interesting, mine is doing good and I'm tryin to learn all I can about them.

 

[the infamous sea cucumber]

Well, i dont really know for sure because i was taking an exam, but when i got home and fed the tank.....he didnt come out for the food like he usually does. He went to a spot high on the rocks and defended it like crazy for about an hour. Not moving for anything. Then he started his little dance...and wallah...a few minutes later he was free of his old body. Interestingly....he stayed next to the remains for awhile longer...just slightly hidden in the rocks. Possibly over an hour, because thats when i stopped looking.
He sheds about once a month, so i will pay more attension next time. HE'S GETTING BIG <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" />
His antenae are about >6 inches long, and his body is probably 3-4 inches in lenght. I attribute his growth to the protein shakes i feed him every week <img src="graemlins//yeahright.gif" border="0" alt="[yeahright]" />

 

[nacl-h2o]

I love to peek in on my tank after lights out. I've seen a cleaner molt twice and a sally light foot molt once. And I've never noticed a difference before they molt, just them hiding afterwards.

 

[susiepan]

I've seen my cleaner shrimp molt two times..and I noticed the second time when he was getting ready to do it, that he seemed "Bigger" than norm, like kinda "Puffed up"..and then that night, he went behind the rock and did his thing,
I know that after they molt, they puff themselves up, until the outer shell gets hard again,,They do this with air and water...
~Susie