My CBS shedded...

[MikeP]

My coral banded shrimp shedded for the first time what should I do with the old shell/skin? Is it benificial to leave it in the tank? Will he eat it? Or should I remove it?

Thanks

[Beverly]

I usually leave the molt in the tank. It seems to disappear after a day or so. I doubt the shrimp eats it.

[MikeP]

Thanks Beverly. I had a blue crayfish in my freshwater tank at one time and the guy at the LFS said it was good to leave the molt in for him to eat.

[Moogled]

Correct me if I'm extremely wrong, but I assume that crayfish and other invertebrates eat their own molt to replenish the calcium that is lost during the shedding.

I think it's the same case with shrimp, no?

[MikeP]

Originally Posted by Moogled

Correct me if I'm extremely wrong, but I assume that crayfish and other invertebrates eat their own molt to replenish the calcium that is lost during the shedding.

I think it's the same case with shrimp, no?

I figured so. Thats why I posted the question though I'm a newbie and wasn't 100% sure if it was the same as freshwater inverts. I've had a few freshwater crayfish and I always left the molt in the tank for them.

Cheers

[albert_dao]

I've never seen a marine shrimp turn around and eat its molt.

[Snappy]

Originally Posted by albert_dao

I've never seen a marine shrimp turn around and eat its molt.

I agree, I think it gets devoured by worms, pods, etc. I also on occasion feed mine to my bubble coral.

[MikeP]

So he doesn't eat it, but it is good for the tank to leave it in right?

[Moogled]

I suppose. It doesn't seem to have any adverse effect.

[albert_dao]

I take them out cause they're ugly and eventually contribute to detritus accumulation.