View Full Version : SHRIMP AND CRAB MOLT
Denzil
09-03-2007, 6:46 AM
My question is. Is it harmfull to leave molt in your tank. Ive noticed my urchin devouring 1 lot of molt.?
tamableanimal
09-03-2007, 9:00 AM
Unless you are running a pico or very small nano tank the molts will not be a problem. They are exoskelotons made up of mainly calcium. If you can get to them I would remove them. It is possible for them to get sucked into powerhead and create problems.
Leaving a molt in the tank is ususally not a problem, as typically shrimp or hermits will eat it, essentially recycling it. Their molt (exoskeleton) is actually made of chitin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitin), an organic compound containing no calcium.
In a nano, I might try to remove a molt, but in a 180L tank I wouldn't bother.
Denzil
09-04-2007, 6:17 AM
Thanks for the reply. I would take it out if i see it, but if its hidden behind rockery, its difficult to get to, Hence the reason for the question.
clown-lover
09-04-2007, 7:37 AM
I remove mine simply for the reason that whenever I see them I always think I have a dead critter. My CBS just molted and I saw it when I came back from working out of town. The guy I had caring for the tank didn't even catch the molt and I paniced thinking it was dead at first.