How often does your cleaner shrimp molt?

[graihg]

I haven't kept mechanical records of every time he molts, but it seems like every 4-6 weeks I'm pulling out one of these.
How often does your cleaner shrimp molt?
I think I will start keeping track.

 

[rhitee93]

We have one in the FOWLR tank I maintain for my mother. Her shrimp seems to molt at about the same rate as yours. From the size of the exoskeleton you are holding, I think they are about the same size. I would assume molting rate slows down as the shrimp gets larger.

 

[graihg]

We have one in the FOWLR tank I maintain for my mother. Her shrimp seems to molt at about the same rate as yours. From the size of the exoskeleton you are holding, I think they are about the same size. I would assume molting rate slows down as the shrimp gets larger.

My fire shrimp seems to molt at a rate of about 1/2 to 1/3 of the cleaner shrimp.
Such a crazy method of growing!
I wish humans could molt.

 

[KrisReef]

My fire shrimp seems to molt at a rate of about 1/2 to 1/3 of the cleaner shrimp.
Such a crazy method of growing!
I wish humans could molt.

That's actually kind of disgusting. What would you do with the exoskeletons

 

[graihg]

That's actually kind of disgusting. What would you do with the exoskeletons

You're right. Perhaps they would qualify for some sort of bio fuel... like used vegetable oil in restaurants.
Come to think of it, I've changed my mind. Molting would be gross.

 

[KrisReef]

You're right. Perhaps they would qualify for some sort of bio fuel... like used vegetable oil in restaurants.
Come to think of it, I've changed my mind. Molting would be gross.

Regenerating limbs would have value.

 

[graihg]

Regenerating limbs would have value.

Do shrimp have this ability?

 

[KrisReef]

Do shrimp have this ability?

Detailed Guide to Regeneration in Crustaceans - Shrimp and Snail Breeder

If you keep crustaceans like crayfish, shrimp, and crabs (including hermit crabs), losing a limb or claw can be a shocking and concerning sight. However, in most cases, there is no need to panic. Crustaceans have a remarkable ability – they can regenerate lost appendages over successive molts...

aquariumbreeder.com

Yes, but I am not the one to provide reliable details, but over all, yes.

 

[rhitee93]

That's actually kind of disgusting. What would you do with the exoskeletons

Easy, cracklins :)

 

[CrashTestBennie]

You're right. Perhaps they would qualify for some sort of bio fuel... like used vegetable oil in restaurants.
Come to think of it, I've changed my mind. Molting would be gross.

You know where you'd have to back out of, in a molt...
*cough* bung hole *cough*

 

[BryanM]

6-8 weeks for mine.

 

[CrashTestBennie]

2 times a month. He was just a little guy when I got him a few weeks ago...

 

[kevgib67]

Every 3-4 weeks. The exoskeleton is my primary source of calcium as I don’t consume much dairy. ;)

 

[skey44]

About once a month here. I also started leaving mine in the tank to breakdown naturally, it’s gone in 4 or 5 days. Figure there’s a lot of good stuff in there I want back in the tank :)