Cleaner Shirmp lost it shell???

[sympley]

Hello,

2 days ago I put in 2 cleaner shrimps in my nano tank. One was fairly big approx 1.2", and the other smaller at about 0.9". This morning I look in the aquarium and I see an extra shrimp it is clear but as big as the big shrimp that I have. It pretty much scared the crap out of me.
After closer viewing I concluded that it is only a shell of a shrimp.

Can shripms do that? Just loose their shell?
Will it be OK or will it die?

 

[JakeKM]

Yes they shed their shell as they grow and to rid it of parasites...etc
Its normal.

 

[JDSmith]

THIS PROCESS IS CALLED MOLTING!

This is the way crustaceans grow larger in size. In other words they get to big for their britches and they split.

 

[sympley]

Thanks guys for the info. Should I be fishing out the old shell?

 

[JDSmith]

Cleaner Shrimp shell

No, it will disintegrate.

 

[Trogdor]

...or eaten :lol: :mrgreen: