I just purchased a fire shrimp a few days ago and I now notice he is missing one of his primary claws? Will this grow back? (I know this happens with crabs) Also, he did shed his shell last night, so I am thinking maybe the claw came off with that? I just hope i didn't buy a defective shrimp. (I have only two clown fish in it and a clean up crew so I don't think it was lost in a fight)
Do shrimp grow back their claws?
- Thread starter jiuliano
- Start date
hey there jiuliano. i have a fire shrimp as well, and one time when he finished molting he only had 3 legs left. i freaked out. but, when he molted the next time, he had all his legs again. so yes, i'd say that your shrimp will be fine, just give him time. as long as he still has his little claws so he can eat i think he will be fine. mine is totally back to normal, and has molted a few times since with no trouble. good luck to you
Catpicklesdog
Hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Yep it'll grow back. I don't know about specific species but many shrimp and crabs can what's called 'throw their claws'. If a claw gets caught in something or grabbed by another animal (fighting, predator etc) they will actual allow the claw to detach so they can get away. So its not a big trauma for a crab or shrimp to lose a claw.