Shrimp Scare & Question

[Schreiber]

So, yesterday I got a Watchman/Pistol shrimp pair. Coolest things ever. Watched the shrimp build tunnels all day. Today, I turned on my lights to find him half sticking out of the tunnel, motionless. I thought that was really weird, since it was darting back & forth yesterday. So, I poked it with my net & found out it was dead... Or so I thought.

Turns out, it had molted & I was seeing its old shell. I figured that out because my cleaner shrimp had *also* molted, its shell was a few inches away from the actual shrimp. So, I assume my pistol is just chilling in its tunnel for now.

My question is, is this just a weird coincidence, or could something in my water parameters have caused this? I just thought it was odd both shrimps molted at the same time, especially since I've had the cleaner for a couple of weeks & it hasn't done that until last night.

 

[ryecoon]

It was a coincidence

 

[BoneXriffic]

Molting means growing, good sign

 

[themcnertney]

It molted less then 24 hours of having it?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Coincidental.

 

[Baldguy]

When it's time it's time. Coincidence.

 

[Live Water]

Calcium levels?

 

[seastar]

Ugh molting... I know it's coming and I still have a heart attack every morning when I see one laying there.

 

[reeferfoxx]

I think iodine is what helps shrimp molt. Mine usually do it after water changes.

 

[Schreiber]

It molted less then 24 hours of having it?

Yep, I got it last night & the shell was there the morning.

Calcium levels?

I haven't checked recently, but last time, it was ~350 ppm. A little low, but this is a pretty new tank & I'm trying to raise it slowly.

I think iodine is what helps shrimp molt. Mine usually do it after water changes.

I did a water change that night, so that may be it.

 

[Boxermom]

Molting also occurs after a full moon. So, perhaps the moon's phase had something to do with both your shrimp molting at the same time.