Tiger shrimp acting oddly...

Congaken · Mar 14, 2016

Have a tiger/pistol since July...mostly hiding, coming out for food and retreating...added a yellow watchman a week ago...didn't see Shrimpy but heard his clicks...

This morning he was out in front and seemed to have trouble getting around...I offered him a piece of food and he tried to pinch my tweezers...swimerettes are moving somewhat but he's not getting anywhere...or hardly...any ideas?

Now he moved a little and tail is sort of sticking up into the water, swimmerettes moving...Molt?, bad molt, chemical?

Lionfish Lair · Mar 14, 2016

It could be a molt, as they do act weird at that time. I do find it odd he wouldn't be doing in "privately", however. It's odd for a critter to molt out in the open, being so vulnerable at that time.

Congaken · Mar 16, 2016

This has been several days now...he's out front, gyrating, bending, stuck on his back, etc...I'm sure its a molt, but not sure this will end well...advise?...anything to do for him?

Naiad · Mar 16, 2016

Sounds like he is stuck in a molt. Unfortunately there is nothing I know of that can be done. I lost a cleaner this way. Any attempt to "help" usually adds stress and hurts the poor guy more than anything. I would recommend water testing and a proactive waterchange as inverts need a good balance of things like iodine to molt properly. I am afraid this guy is probably too far gone though

TheEngineer · Mar 16, 2016

I've heard iodine levels are important in molting, but that may be an old wive's tale. Sounds like it is molting to me too.

Naiad · Mar 16, 2016

Yes iodine is important as are other trace minerals that can not be easily tested for and can end up depleted in our closed systems. That is why regular wc or supplement addition depending on your methods, is important in invert care.

Congaken · Mar 16, 2016

Naiad said:
Yes iodine is important as are other trace minerals that can not be easily tested for and can end up depleted in our closed systems. That is why regular wc or supplement addition depending on your methods, is important in invert care.

Just changed water...

Naiad · Mar 16, 2016

That's good. Can you see any splits in his shell?

Congaken · Mar 22, 2016

Its been about 2 weeks now...the TS is gyrating all over, turning on his back, walking poorly, no longer digging or in his cave...but alive...seems like a shrimp with neurological damage although I believe its from the molt...poor guy...

Congaken · Mar 24, 2016

Unfortunately...I believe my Shrimpy is gone...he stayed alive for at least 2 weeks, tumbling and struggling...no sign of him at all today...to find his remains may require taking the rock almost completely out...do you think that my hermits, etc. will just eat him up...or am I risking problems?...Of course, I'll keep checking params to see if anything is going wrong...