Although I had done my research and knew about molting before adding shrimp to the tank, my first encounter with an exoskeleton got me feeling a little uneasy. However, they’re nothing to fear!
In fact, seeing plenty of exoskeletons in your tank is probably a good thing! As shrimp grow, their exoskeletons, or “shells,” do not. As a result, they molt. Molting is the process in which the shrimp sheds it’s old outer layer. After molting, the shrimp will take a few hours to harden up it’s new outer layer, and it will be as good as new! In terms of the discarded exoskeletons themselves, it’s actually beneficial to leave them in the tank, as they provide nutrients and minerals that will be taken up back into the water.
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