Do Shrimp Shed?

[Rorie]

Hi,

Yesterday i found a shrimp skeleton in my tank and could only find one shrimp, so obviously came to the conclusion that one had died. However today i see both shrimp! So please tell me that shrimp shed and that i am not going crazy?

Thanks

 

[mattlee]

yes they will shed a layer of skin as they grow and it will look like an exact shrimp but without the insides..... some will eat it so its worth ;eaving it in the tank a few days

 

[Rorie]

Great! Thanks! That is exactly what it looked like, and i was surprised a fish could decompose over night to leave that.......but obviously it didnt

 

[Gilli]

Your shrimp will shed on a regular basis as they cannot stretch their shells as they grow so they have to grow a new one. They need plenty of hiding places when they are shedding as when they get their new shells they are very soft for some hours so they need to hide until it hardens. As Rorie said leave the shell in as they will eat it and get vitamins etc from it.

Its very easy to tell if your shrimp is dead or if its just shed - if its dead then the shrimp shell will look pale pink (as if its cooked) - if its just a shedding the shell will be white.