Clener Shrimp Question

leafer

leafer

Member
I woke up this morning to see that my cleaner shrimp molted for the first time. Cool sight. At first glance i thought that it was dead. Then of course I noticed that it was just the shell. After finding it, I noticed that it's antennae were cracked and 2 had broken. The pieces that remain are still almost an inch long. Is this a bad thing? Will they grow back?
Thanks
 
leafer

leafer

Member
ok and now for the real dumb question. How long do I leave the old shell in the tank? Or, do I even bother taking it out?
 
fishe1

fishe1

Member
Don't worry about taking it out. It will not bother anything. In fact it will just become food for something. Somehow they alway magically disappear.
 
hedonic

hedonic

Member
Each and every time I find one of my cleaner shrimp has molted I do a freak out for a few min's untill I find them. And I have had them for over year, and once a month or so... well it gets me everytime. They are endearing little buggers.
 
J

jdragunas

Guest
yeah, the first time mine molted i :scared:, but then i saw him somewhere else... whew!!! They are so endearing!!! Mine cleans me whenever i put my hand in the tank!
 
leafer

leafer

Member
Plus, I haven't even had it a week. A little expensive for something that lasts 5 days. Seems to be ok. Not moving around as much as yesterday but still do it's rounds. Part that worries me the most are the broken antennae.
Nice Pic
 
gordie9

gordie9

Member
thats funny, I just got back from work (took a half day) and found my cleaner had molted for the first time as well. I was going to look on here to see how long to leave the old shell in the tank, and here is my answer right on the first page. It looks pretty cool, its stuck to the intake tube of the filter. Not sure if it got sucked up (although that seems unlikely) or if he left it there in the open while he hid out as he does like to hang out on it otherwise.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top