I'm molting, I'm molting!!!

[jessecnc]

How often should a cleaner shrimp molt, and what does it mean??? My shrimp molts every other week, sometimes more. Is this good, bad, ugly? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[volunteerg]

I got my cleaner shrimp about 4 months ago and he has molted 3 times since. My understanding that it is a completely natural process.

 

[dogstar]

Ive been told that they will molt often when in a stressfull envioment like new tank or bad water but not sure if thats true.
I know they molt as they grow becuae the shell does not grow. Mine molted about once a month as they grew but after fully grown they molt about every 2 to 3 months.

 

[gafish]

My banded coral shrimp molts about once every couple of months.

 

[jessecnc]

Dogstar,
Do you know where you heard they molt from stress. I'd like to know more if possible. My tank is a little over a month old, so the new tank thing might be right.

 

[joker_ca]

Who ever said they molt from stress might of got it backwards....molting can be stressful to them sometimes can even lead to death
but i have never heard they molt from stress or bad water quality

 

[kdfrosty]

My shrimp molts every 3 weeks, and has almost doubled in size since I got him 4 months ago.

 

[speg]

Are you adding iodine?
By adding iodine you can speed up the shrimps life very quickly causing its lifespan to be shorter than normal.

 

[kdfrosty]

I would avoid adding anything, and just do regular water changes using RO/DI. If you dose iodine, make sure you have an iodine test kit first.

 

[mudplayerx]

My coral banded shrimp molts about once a week. He has probably tripled in size in the little time I have had him. They tend to molt after a good feeding.

 

[dogstar]

Jesse, the owner at a LFS I trust told me that. But like I said, dont know if its true.

 

[dmitry]

I've heard that shrimp molt in stressful situations also, but can't tell you where!

 

[jessecnc]

I don't add anything to the tank right now. It's only a month and a half old. And he's gained some size as well. The molting every two weeks was kinda weird. But then again, I'm new at this. Thanks for all the responses