Shrimp molt...

I just noticed my cleaner shrimp has molted, do I leave the molt in there or should I take it out? Thanks.

 

it wont really harm anything , more aesthetics. i take mine out, i dont like the look of havin a shedded skin in the tank

 

I asked the very same question when mine molted the first time. Divott is right, its up to you. Doesn't hurt to leave them in, but they creepy looking so if you want to take them out that's fine too.

 

thanks all..fair enough, just didn't know if it would cause an ammonia spike or something...I think I'll take it out, it's like on a rock, def creepy looking!

 

I take mine out, they get sucked into the powerheads and look weird half hanging out of there He He

 

I leave mine in, its good for the shrimp, I have 8 shrimp in my tank a shed exoskeleton usually only lasts about a day. The exoskeleton is mostly chitin which is a good source of carbohydrate for your shrimp. If your shrimp doesn't eat the shed exoskeleton, bacteria and fungi will in about a week...

 

Yeah.. my peppermints shed about every other day... i leave them in...
had one stuck to the return this morning though

 

I leave 'em in too.

 

well now that ive learned about them, bein good. the skin stays in . thanx phil

 

i leave my skins in too. i searched on this and many people seem to think the shell can be a good source of calcium for your other shellfish. i saw a shell from my cleaner one time swirl from the back of the tank and land smack dab on top of my emerald crab...he ate that thing so quick. and i thought..."mmm, healthy" seems easier to leave it to me and let your excellent water quality handle the bio load.