Will bamboo shrimp eat their shell? - Aquarium Advice

MurfQ · 02-01-2007, 01:06 PM

So, I've heard that when a shrimp moults, you should leave the moult in the tank and they will eat it, which is apparently a good supplement to thier diet. But, I'm wondering if this applies to bamboo/wood shrimp. Being that they are normally filter feeders, I'm not sure if they are even capable of eating such a thing? Anybody know? I ask because I spotted my first ever shrimp moult in my tank this morning. Pretty cool! I'm wondering if I should leave it in or not.

theotheragentm · 02-01-2007, 01:24 PM

Crayfish eat their molts. I think it is the same with all shrimp too.

MurfQ · 02-01-2007, 01:26 PM

Even filter feeders?

coldmachineUK · 02-01-2007, 01:27 PM

Yes, most FW shrimp will if given a bit of time and if they're not hassled. I tend to leave the molt in there with my amano shrimp for a day or two and then take out whatever is left. I've never seen them eat it, but I guess they at least have the option!

The reason they eat it is not just dietary; the extra calcium helps their skin harden after a molt so they're less vulnerable.

STARFYRE · 02-01-2007, 01:35 PM

[/quote]The reason they eat it is not just dietary; the extra calcium helps their skin harden after a molt so they're less vulnerable.[quote]
I never knew that! My prawn eats his every time he molts. I went to take the molt out (about 3 yrs ago when I first got him) and saw he was eating it. I figured it must be part of the natural order of things and let him munch away.

tropicfishman · 02-01-2007, 07:16 PM

I'd say leave it and see if they do, I didn't know inverts would do things liek that after a molting, pretty cool

**Fishyfanatic** · 02-01-2007, 08:25 PM

Yes, they do. My Bamboo eats his when he molts. The most recent time I saw the molt right after it happened. It looked identical to him so I pulled it from the tank thinking that he died. Then a few hours later I saw him roaming around the tank. Oops!

MurfQ · 02-01-2007, 08:52 PM

LOL Yeah, I likely would have thought the same thing had I not already read about the moulting on here. So I was ready for it! Still looked pretty freaky. I think my goldfish may have had a few nibbles on it. They'll eat just about anything

02-01-2007, 01:06 PM	#1
MurfQ Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 99	Will bamboo shrimp eat their shell? So, I've heard that when a shrimp moults, you should leave the moult in the tank and they will eat it, which is apparently a good supplement to thier diet. But, I'm wondering if this applies to bamboo/wood shrimp. Being that they are normally filter feeders, I'm not sure if they are even capable of eating such a thing? Anybody know? I ask because I spotted my first ever shrimp moult in my tank this morning. Pretty cool! I'm wondering if I should leave it in or not.

02-01-2007, 01:24 PM	#2
theotheragentm Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,177	Crayfish eat their molts. I think it is the same with all shrimp too. __________________ Box of Water - My Personal Musing and Photos on Fish Keeping

02-01-2007, 01:27 PM	#4
coldmachineUK Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 709 Images: 6	Yes, most FW shrimp will if given a bit of time and if they're not hassled. I tend to leave the molt in there with my amano shrimp for a day or two and then take out whatever is left. I've never seen them eat it, but I guess they at least have the option! The reason they eat it is not just dietary; the extra calcium helps their skin harden after a molt so they're less vulnerable. __________________ For expert advice check out these great sites: The Puffer Forum: http://www.thepufferforum.com \| The Cichlid Forum: http://www.cichlid-forum.com \| Cichlid Room Companion Forum: http://www.cichlidae.com \| Planet Catfish: http://www.planetcatfish.com \| PlecoFanatics: http://www.plecofanatics.com \| Gobioid Research Institite: http://www.gobiidae.com \| Fishbase.org: http://www.fishbase.org ------------------------------------------------------- 36 Gal: Malawi Cichlids \| 36 Gal: Brackish Puffer \| 58 Gal: FW Community \| 20 Gal: FW RTBS Shark \| 10 Gal: FW Breeder Spares: 20 Gal: Former River Conditions \| 8 Gal: Former Fry Tank \| 32G: Former Community Tank

02-01-2007, 07:16 PM	#6
tropicfishman Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ashland KY Posts: 1,890	I'd say leave it and see if they do, I didn't know inverts would do things liek that after a molting, pretty cool __________________ I love my clown loaches and red tail shark!!! lol

02-01-2007, 08:25 PM	#7
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	Yes, they do. My Bamboo eats his when he molts. The most recent time I saw the molt right after it happened. It looked identical to him so I pulled it from the tank thinking that he died. Then a few hours later I saw him roaming around the tank. Oops! __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

02-01-2007, 01:26 PM	#3
MurfQ Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 99	Even filter feeders?

02-01-2007, 01:35 PM	#5
STARFYRE Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 255 Images: 13	[/quote]The reason they eat it is not just dietary; the extra calcium helps their skin harden after a molt so they're less vulnerable.[quote] I never knew that! My prawn eats his every time he molts. I went to take the molt out (about 3 yrs ago when I first got him) and saw he was eating it. I figured it must be part of the natural order of things and let him munch away.

02-01-2007, 08:52 PM	#8
MurfQ Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 99	LOL Yeah, I likely would have thought the same thing had I not already read about the moulting on here. So I was ready for it! Still looked pretty freaky. I think my goldfish may have had a few nibbles on it. They'll eat just about anything

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