Will bamboo shrimp eat their shell?

[MurfQ]

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]

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

 

[MurfQ]

Even filter feeders?

 

[coldmachineUK]

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]

[/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.

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]

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]

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]

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