Question about crab molting

[rdfriend]

I know that dead critters in your tank will cause ammonia spikes but how bad is it to not remove a crab shell after molting?

 

[vorlx]

From what I have read here and other places it doesn't hurt anything to leave it in the tank. You can remove it if you wish. I personally just leave mine.

 

[missc4]

I leave mine to,I have one in my tank right now,don't intend to get it out.

 

[rdfriend]

thanks...I usually remove them after a couple of days when I figure the crabs new shell has hardened. I know they leave them out to fool potential predators but my sally molted and the shell is in a difficult place in the rocks to get at so I wasn't sure.

 

[Catpicklesdog]

They're inert so they won't cause any problems if youleave them in. I always leave mine.

 

[Denzil]

Same here, I leave mine in, But shrimp molt can be unsightly so i remove that!

 

[Amphiprion]

Well, they are inert as far as water is concerned, but they do break down very, very slowly to bacterial action. Certainly not enough to ever cause any sort of nutrient spike, etc.

 

[rxdoc_85]

i leave my molts in the tank as well. usually something will munch on it, like the hermits themselves, the blood shrimp, or the star. i've neer noticed a spike post-molt, so i just leave them be. they're usually gone in about a week's time anyhow.