iodine

[justinl]

while i cant and wont argue the reaction that corals have to iodine testing, i will say this. more frequent molting from arthropods just backs up my own claim (well not really mine, I got this from Dr. Roy Caldwell over on RC). molting is a VERY stressful time. think of it as giving birth... to yourself . during and after a molt is the most stressful time for an arthropod and during these times, they are highly vulnerable to pretty much any and everything (more so than usual at least). before molting they have to prepare by sucking nutrients from the old carapace and start growing a new carapace under the old. more frequent molts (to an unnatural degree that is induced by the iodine) doesnt allow them to prepare properly and can have negative results in the long term.

can you tell i love my inverts?

[danny zubot]

What would you say is too often for an invert to molt? I think my cleaner shrimp molted on a monthly basis until it reached it's current size. Now it molts every three months with the same iodine dosing regiment.

[justinl]

well to be completely honest i cant say. molting cycle gradually slows down (longer time between molts) as an animal ages, but it depends on a few factors. environment, size, and age obviously, but also species, and to a degree, the individual itself. i havent had a cleaner shrimp (just a couple peps) so i cant comment on your guy.... just those generalizations.

[danny zubot]

I sort of thought about those reasons as well. I'm curious to see if molting increases in frequency again after I upgrade to a larger tank?