Boxer shrimp has shed it's shell...

[Mr31415]

Hi,

I see that my boxer shrimp decided to shred it's shell. Do I need to remove this shell or is it food for the other inhabitants?

[SWfan]

It's called moulting. They discard their old carapace and grow a new one. It's how they grow. I've seen my open brain eat the carapace. No need to remove and discard if you've got a clean up crew. Just more protein for them.

The word is that most 'food' gets eaten 5 or 6 times in our tanks.

A pic of my brain eating the carapace:

[oonycxwilloo]

but wont it cause ammonia to rise a little?

[bertoni]

The small mass of a shrimp carapace won't raise ammonia measureably.

[Mr31415]

Thanks for the help.

[Infern0]

I agree...leave it.