What the heck is this?

[dwayne.b.william]

Bought a blood shrimp last week for my 60g tank (2 clowns, a purple basslet, 2 peppermint shrimp, 3 Turbo snails and 3 blue legged crabs in the tank). I've kept the salinity at 1.025 and temp at 77°. I was away on a trip for 2 nights and came back to see what looks like the shell of a shrimp at the bottom of the tank.... What is this and why?

 

[RyanSweet]

Your shrimp molted. They do that to grow.

 

[Garrett W.]

Depending on size it will happen with greater or lesser frequency. I've have the same Fire Shrimp for 2+ years and he molted after almost every water change but molts maybe every month or so now.

 

[Humblefish]

^^ Agree; it's totally normal for any crustacean to molt.

 

[melypr1985]

Yup. Just a molt. It's a good thing

 

[4FordFamily]

Yup perfectly normal

 

[dwayne.b.william]

Thanks everyone, love having this forum. You've all been so helpful and a great source of information

 

[4FordFamily]

Thanks everyone, love having this forum. You've all been so helpful and a great source of information

We are so very glad you feel that way, we are here to help!

 

[NanaReefer]

Research "molting" as growth isn't the only cause. They'll also do it when something irritates them psychically.