Have you ever encountered them leaving their shell/shedding their skin? Ever wondered how your red cherry shrimp grows from a tiny little larva to a large (nearly one and a half inch) adult or how often do cherry shrimp molt?
Molting is the process that allows cherry shrimps to grow. Cherry shrimp molt every 3 to 8 weeks, and the right amount of iodine is required to facilitate effective molting. Keep in mind that if your water conditions aren’t right, your shrimp could die while molting!
Molting is beneficial to your shrimp. Don’t be alarmed if you observe the small shell drifting around or sitting stationary. In this article, I’m going to discuss some useful facts and know-how in this article so keep reading if that interests you.
What is Molting?
When it comes to shrimp, molting refers to the process of removing the tight shell that surrounds it in order to create a new, larger one. Throughout their lives, cherry shrimp go through molting stages.
The exoskeleton gets too tiny, and it takes time to develop a new one. A cherry shrimp is particularly vulnerable during this period when they are exposed to the water’s conditions without the protection of their hard body.
They will take in additional nutrients from the water in order to grow larger while slowly constructing their new shell.
Is Shrimp Molting a Good Sign?
Shrimp molt for a variety of reasons, including growth, and it is a common occurrence in your shrimp tank. Shrimps, on the other hand, can molt in response to negative environmental factors such as a high chemical content.
This is why it’s vital to determine how often your shrimp molt in order to determine whether they’re molting excessively. If this is the case, you should inspect the state of your shrimp tank for any potential water parameter issues.
Also, if you want to breed your red cherry shrimp, molting is a good idea. During the hard case leaving phase, the red cherry shrimp emits a pheromone. The pheromone attracts male shrimps, encouraging them to mate successfully.
A thorough understanding of the exoskeleton is needed in order to understand the entire molting process.
What Exactly Is An Exoskeleton?
According to studies, the shrimp shell is made up of 3 primary components as well as other materials such as:
- Chitin (20% to 30 %): It’s an amino sugar linear polymer.
- Proteins (30% to 40%)
- Calcium carbonate (30% to 50%). A bone-like mineral.
- Pigments (astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, lutein or β-carotene)
All of these elements are placed in a spiral staircase-like layered structure. The exoskeleton is firm due to a mix of calcified chitin and protein.
Stages of Molting:
Pre-molting, molting, post-molting, and inter-molting are the 4 stages of Dwarf Shrimp life.
Pre-molting Stage:
The new shell is visible to the naked eye at this point. Fishkeepers have also found that some dwarf shrimp start to look weird, turning a muddy color.
Shrimp also begin scratching or “itching” their backs excessively. They do this to lessen the exoskeleton’s strength at the breaking point.
As the molting date approaches, the shrimp begins to eat progressively less. Approximately 20 to 25 percent of total body calcium, as well as other essential minerals, will be absorbed from the old shell during this time.
Molting Process
When it’s time to molt, the shrimp begins slowly pumping water up to its body until the old exoskeleton finally breaks.
This specified breaking point is in the neck, specifically in the skin fold between the head and the abdominal armor.
Post-molting Stage
It is the stage with the shortest duration. An adult shrimp’s lifespan is normally between 12 and 36 hours.
The shrimp recovers from the previous molting during this period. In order to lengthen their body, shrimp continue to absorb a substantial amount of water.
To develop, the new shell is inflated with water. It must consolidate its shell as well as modify it to its increased dimensions.
It takes a while for the new shell to harden. The shrimp become highly vulnerable at this period.
Inter-molting Stage
This is the stage at which the shrimp’s exoskeleton and body are fully functional. Shrimp eat as much as they can and are constantly gaining weight.
The Frequency of Molting of Shrimps:
| Shrimp Species | Molting Frequency |
| Amano Shrimp | 5 – 6 weeks |
| Cherry Shrimp | 3 – 6 weeks |
| Cleaner Shrimp | 2 – 3 weeks |
| Ghost Shrimp | 2 – 4 weeks |
| Fire Shrimp | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Peppermint Shrimp | 2 – 3 weeks |
Factors That Affect Cherry Shrimp Molting:
| Factors | Description |
| Breed | The molting cycles of different breeds differ. For example, fire shrimps molt less frequently than cherry shrimps. |
| Age | Cherry Shrimp that are younger molt more frequently as they mature. Adult shrimp should molt more slowly, taking 4-6 weeks to complete. |
| Chemical Concentration | Shrimps molt to get rid of chemicals that have built up on their shell. This isn’t a positive indicator. If your shrimps are molting excessively, I strongly advise you to examine the parameters of your water. It usually occurs when your tank is not sufficiently cycled or when you bring too many things into the tank at once. |
| Change in Water | Shrimps may molt in order to adjust to the changing water conditions. Your shrimp should molt more frequently if you modify the water frequency because it affects its parameter. |
| New tank | Shrimps may molt when transferred to a new aquarium for the same reason as water changes. The rationale for this is to allow the body to acclimatize to the new water circumstances. If you want to avoid this, try to match the water parameter of your new tank to that of the store or your prior tank. |
How to Help Shrimps with Molting Problems?
1. Maintain water parameters:
A healthy tank encourages greater molting since the shrimp have enough minerals to consume and grow. It’s critical to check that the gH/kH/TDS levels are correct.
In the long term, having a natural tank is preferable to adding man-made chemicals that may disrupt the water’s stability.
2. Balanced Supplements:
Rather than relying on a single mineral supplement, give your shrimp a variety of foods. Tannin, for the example, is a fantastic source of immune-boosting compounds for shrimp and can be found in things like almond leaves, alder cones, and other plants.
Make sure they get enough calcium in their diet as well.
3. Water Change:
Significant water adjustments should be avoided since they cause abrupt changes in water parameters. The shrimps may suffer as a result of this as they struggle to adjust to the new situation.
It’s best to keep it at 20-30% water change, especially when the shrimps are molting.
4. Use Ro water for water changes:
If the TDS in your tap water is too high, it can induce molting waters. Use Ro water instead if this is the case.
Remember to remineralize it to the proper amounts, as shrimp require minerals to thrive.
How Long Do Shrimp Hide After Molting?
Cherry shrimps can be quite defenseless during their molting period because their new skin is rather weak.
They like to conceal for 48-72 hours after shedding their skin in order to allow their shell to harden.
Related Questions:
Do Shrimp Molt When Stressed?
When shrimp are stressed, it is sometimes assumed that they might molt but mostly molting is a good sign for the cherry shrimp because they indicate growth.
What to do with shrimp exoskeletons/shells?
Although your shrimp will typically molt quietly, the shell will occasionally float around. I recommend not removing these exoskeletons from your aquarium because they contain many valuable minerals that will be replenished in the water column.
Shells usually decompose after a few days, or shrimp may use them as a source of food.
Should I Remove Shrimp Molt?
No. Leave them as they are because they contain many valuable minerals that are helpful for other members of the aquarium.
How do I Know if it’s a Shrimp Molt or Dead?
One of the most prevalent problems with shrimp molting is determining if the shrimp is alive or dead. This is particularly challenging for a beginner.
Color is the most important factor to consider. A dead shrimp has a pinkish tint that resembles that of a cooked shrimp. When melted, a shrimp is translucent, and when shed, it is ghostly white.
Final Thoughts:
When shrimp molt, they are at their most vulnerable. If you notice a prawn stuck in molting, isolate it right away before it becomes food for other aquatic species.
The key to a healthy molting experience is to keep the tank clean and provide a balanced feed for the shrimps.
This method will inevitably result in the loss of part of your shrimp. Please don’t feel awful. Simply modify the tank and nutrition, and your shrimp mortality rate will decrease over time.
