Please Help -- Shrimp Molting Problem?!?

[pisces01]

We have a small cleaner shrimp that has been laying on the bottom of the tank for about a day and a half. He is still alive but only moves slightly when a fish approaches. We have only had this one for a couple of weeks but he has already molted once before. We think he's molting again but having a real hard time shedding the excess exoskeleton. He looks exhausted now and can barely move. How long does the molting process usually take? Have any of you run into this sort of situation before? Is there anything that we can do to try and help our little friend out? BTW, calcium levels are 450 ppm and all other levels are normal.

 

[mad_dog]

I've only had one for approx 1 year, it molts mostly at night with the lights out and this happens about once every month, never seen him lay around at all, always active just find the discarded shell in the morning. Do you use iodine supplement, if not recommend 1/2 dosage once per week. Sorry to say it sounds like a sick shrimp to me.

 

[corky]

I too think you may have a problem with your shrimp. Do you think that maybe one of the tank mates are attacking him? Do you by chance have a coral beauty in your tank? Can you arrange small rock around him or something to make sure the fish can't get to him easily in this state?

 

[the croc hunter]

All I can recomend is that, if hes molted, be sure to add some extra calcium to the tank to help him rebuild a strong exoskeleton

 

[saltylake]

make sure you have the calcium level at high as possible, I wouldn't touch the shrimp, it doesn't sound like he is having a molting problem... I think he is sick. Like stated before, mine sheds at night, and the day after he sheds, he usually hides.

 

[dad]

like others here, I feel that is either sick or something in your tank is hurting it.
Until you find out for sure, I would get it in MED tank or to a lfs.
keep us updated.

 

[pisces01]

Well, the little guy died last night. He must have been sick because our other Shrimp is doing fine. He actually molted again two days ago...I can't believe how big he's getting.
Thanks for all your responses.