Is shrimp molting normal

[yothereyo]

I have got two peppermints and one cleaner shrimp. In the past two weeks all of them have molted there skin. One of the peppermints has done it twice now. I was wondering if this is normal or is it a sign of ill-health or bad tank setup. All parms are normal and the tanks has been running for over a month now I do add iodine in my water changes every week.

 

[dorkfish]

This is actually a sign of a good setup. Your shrimp are healhy and are growing.

 

[yothereyo]

thanks for that answer. well i'am glad its a good sign. but how many times do they molt in a month, year. ect ect.

 

[Reefscape]

I introduced mine about 3 ish weeks ago...they have both molted twice now...

Niko

 

[WeeNe858]

yeah molting is regular but you have to have enought chemicals and minerals to help him successfully molt.. i think calcium iodine and some other ones.. not sure


but those are always in your tank so no need o add unless your really low on it

 

[Max]

Fwiw, it will slow down when they reach maturity. You might consider getting your cleaner a partner they will exhibit some really interesting breeding behavior and be a nice source of shrimp eggs/larvae for your fish.

 

[Reefscape]

On the point of putting additives in the tank, i put in Kent Marine concentrated iodine once per week..

Niko

 

[yothereyo]

I add both calcium and iodine in my water change mix's eversince i first put invets in.. So i think that helps. Also how do you get to cleaners to mate. How do you know which is female ,male.

 

[Max]

They are both female/male. The one that just molted is female the one that has been molted for a while performs as the male. I would only add a few drops of iodine per month to my tank. Most of it will replaiced with foods Nori, formula II etc. Be very carefull when adding anything to your tank that you aren't testing for often time chems and trace elements will reach toxic levels with very little warning.
Cheers
Max