Molting Inverts

[thomas_neil]

I'm curious as to what everyone does when their shrimp/crabs molt. I take it out as soon as I can. It looks gross just floating around.

I've heard people leave it in the tank for the CUC but I can't get over the skin of a shrimp floating around or getting stuck in a power head.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Often the invert that molts eats its shell for extra calcium - if they don’t, something will.

 

[BraindeadBiologist]

I would have to retire to have the time to scour the tank and fish out every invert molt I came across. Since I'm only 28 and have a VERY expensive hobby, I don't see that happening anytime soon either.
I've also never noticed a change in my tank when inverts molt or even die. Honestly I don't have any fancy or unique inverts so I kind of just toss them in and forget about them.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I always left them, but I doubt it matters much. The chitin material is not particularly nutritious.