Skunk cleaner shrimp molting every 3-4 weeks

[Idech]

It seems excessive to me. Is this normal or is it out of stress and I should be worried ?

This shrimp has gotten very big since I got it 3 months ago. I likes to eat a lot so I target feed it. Is this why it’s molting so often ?

Thanks

 

[AJsReef]

3 to 4 weeks is normal for adult shrimp

 

[Idech]

3 to 4 weeks is normal for adult shrimp

Oh great, I read otherwise so I was worried.

 

[rmorris_14]

Not the same shrimp but my cleaner shrimp molts at least this much if not more

 

[LiquidSpace]

I’m in the same boat and was worried about the same thing. Healthy shrimp!

 

[DaJMasta]

Definitely normal, and since their eggs are fertilized when they molt, this is also their normal reproductive cycle/egg incubation time.

 

[Idech]

Definitely normal, and since their eggs are fertilized when they molt, this is also their normal reproductive cycle/egg incubation time.

So the male fertilizes the eggs when the female is molting ?

 

[DaJMasta]

Yes, but they are simultaneous hermaphrodites, so with a pair of shrimp, neither can self fertilize, but both can carry fertilized eggs and fertilize the others eggs. Makes for a lot of larvae and there's always a molt the morning after the larvae are released.

 

[Idech]

Yes, but they are simultaneous hermaphrodites, so with a pair of shrimp, neither can self fertilize, but both can carry fertilized eggs and fertilize the others eggs. Makes for a lot of larvae and there's always a molt the morning after the larvae are released.

I wonder if I should get another one then, to give my fish a larvae snack ? Is this a bad idea in a 75 gallons ?

 

[DaJMasta]

I've got two in my ~45g and they get along fine with each other/other things. Only concern for some people is they will take food from corals, so feeding them directly and feeding a good amount helps minimize what's taken from LPS and whatnot.

Worth mentioning that spawns will be shortly after lights out, so fish that go to sleep early (wrasses, firefish, etc.) won't get the snack, but I believe a lot of corals and anemones will catch the larvae just fine.

 

[vetteguy53081]

My coral banded every 3 weeks
Cleaner 5 weeks
fire shrimp 5 weeks

 

[Idech]

I've got two in my ~45g and they get along fine with each other/other things. Only concern for some people is they will take food from corals, so feeding them directly and feeding a good amount helps minimize what's taken from LPS and whatnot.

Yes, mine likes to steal from corals even though I target feed her. I’ll consider getting another one then !

When my tank is more mature, so it doesn’t raise nitrates too much.

 

[Lavey29]

It's when they stop molting that you worry.