Molting Problem (Cleaner Shrimp)

[ousoonerfan]

My cleaner shrimp molted today and lost his whiskers or whatever they are.. will they grow back, and what could have caused this. Thanks -Mark Harris

 

[bang guy]

A couple things come to mind but there are more reasons too.
a. A premature molt caused by excess Iodine.
b. A nutritional deficiency.
c. A predator chomping on the antenna while they were still soft after the molt.
d. It's an old shrimp nearing the end of its lifespan.

 

[ousoonerfan]

thanks for the info... I think it might have been the CBS that I have. I did a water change yesterday could this have caused the premature molt.. and will its limbs grow back eventually. Mark

 

[bang guy]

If it's healthy and well fed they'll return after 1 or 2 more molts.

 

[ousoonerfan]

I just saw the craziest thing.. my yellow tang is the one picking on him. I saw him nibbling at the stubbs of its antenae. Is this strange or common. -Mark

 

[flamingkingofhe]

i had this same problem untill i switched frome the kent iodine to the lugols or whatever it is called and as soon as i did that they grew back vary quickly i think it was a combo of to mutch iodine and not the best quality as far as iodine goes i recommend spending the extra buck and getting the good stuff (lugols)

 

[daniel411]

A book I have mentions they do need iodine for proper molting. Becareful, I've heard its easy to overdose on iodine before on this board.

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by Daniel411
A book I have mentions they do need iodine for proper molting. Becareful, I've heard its easy to overdose on iodine before on this board.
Your book is wrong in my opinion and in the opinion on many studying marine crustaceans.
Iodine will cause them to molt because this is their only mechanism the rid their body of the poison. They don't require it to molt. The tiny amount required for other biological processes is more than met through their food.

 

[popoty]

my yellow tang also nibbles on my cleaners anntena, doesnt do it all the time....havent figured out if it is before or right after he molts

 

[fishkiller]

My CBS did the same thing. His whiskers are not that long or straight anymore. He also lost both claws 2 molts ago. Each time he molts, he loses whatever little nubs are regenerating. Bang- Help me out here. I know there is noe fish messing w/ him. What should I do?

 

[tarashane]

after molting mine lost them well they were reduced in size by alot. then he molted again and ther back and bigger than ever before

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by fishkiller
What should I do?
I would suggest spot feeding him for about a month. A variety of meaty food like shrimp, scallops, clams, silversides. After a month he should molt and if you see improvement do it for another month.
If you don't see improvement it could be a heavy metal problem or even excess Iodine.

 

[fishkiller]

If the problem is heavy metals in the water, how would I go about fixing this? Thanx bang!

 

[bang guy]

Poly pads, water changes but mostly trying to find the source. I like poly pads because they change color if you have a contaminant that sometimes gives you a clue what it is. Copper for example turns them blue I think.

 

[fishkiller]

So should I try using different water? What's the best way to go? I heard w/ RO, you can miss out on SOME good stuff. What about certain bottled waters at the store?

 

[bang guy]

RO/DI water is your best bet. The bad things it removes can't be easily removed any other way and the good things it removes are replaced by using a good salt mix.