Pistol shrimp bad molt?

helwrj28 · Nov 20, 2022

About 2 weeks ago my pistol shrimp started acting a little bit more lethargic and I assumed it was getting ready to molt. It is paired with a YWG. I have periodically used my syringe to shoot food in it's lair but have not seen much action from the shrimp (goby happily takes food of course), but I have spotted it in the lair.

Today I decided to move their rock and see what's going on. The shrimp scurried around a bit but seems to be having difficultly moving because it's claws do not look right (pistol arm looks like it's rotated and it can't really lift the claw)... Anyone ever see this before? Anything that would be recommended to aide it's recovery?

Btw I have a reefer 350 with 2 clowns, a damselfish, cardinal fish, and some snails. I have not seen anything bother the shrimp or goby before this episode.

TokenReefer · Nov 20, 2022

I've read that they can grow back. Maybe it's just hiding while it gets its guns back

emmysnewtank · Nov 20, 2022

My pistol lost his big claw during a molt. Seems to be growing back now tho…and it never really seemed to affect him. He still digs like crazy…

helwrj28 · Nov 20, 2022

emmysnewtank said:
My pistol lost his big claw during a molt. Seems to be growing back now tho…and it never really seemed to affect him. He still digs like crazy…

Thanks for the input. That's the weird thing the current claw looks awkward and heavy to the point the shrimp doesn't really move much from or within it's lair

helwrj28 · Nov 20, 2022

TokenReefer said:
I've read that they can grow back. Maybe it's just hiding while it gets its guns back

I hope so! Any suggestions while I wait for it to grow a new one?

helwrj28 · Nov 21, 2022

Well I'm thinking it must've died.. I can see part of it sticking out of it's lair and a nassarius snail is all over that area.. had the shrimp about a year and a half and it did well with the goby up until this point! I don't recall it getting any bigger the whole time I had it so maybe old age?

TokenReefer · Nov 21, 2022

Awe that's a bummer :/ . Give it a poke? Yeah they don't have the longest lifespan it seems so that's a real possibility

helwrj28 · Nov 21, 2022

TokenReefer said:
Awe that's a bummer :/ . Give it a poke? Yeah they don't have the longest lifespan it seems so that's a real possibility

Yeah when I get home I'll lift the rock structure and confirm :/

helwrj28 · Nov 21, 2022

Yep just moved it's lair and out comes the goby and all that is left is the leg segment of the shrimp. Checked all other locations and nothing to be found