If you keep freshwater shrimp (and many of you do) you will have seen shrimp exoskeletons which are the shell of a shrimp. Molting is necessary for shrimp to grow and during this process, they can be very vulnerable. Their new 'skin' is relatively soft and therefore after they have shed their skin, they tend to hide for 48-72 hours so that they can allow their shell to harden up. Depending on how much the shrimp is eating there is a direct correlation between number of molts and food eaten.
However, not all molts go to plan. It is still very common for freshwater shrimp to die in a an aquarium when trying to molt and this can be for a variety of reasons but predominantly bacterial disease. The shrimp will attempt to molt but will not be able to shed its skin and it therefore becomes trapped and dies. Many hobbyists have often wondered about how this happens and why and chose to feed a wider range of foods to overcome the problem but it still didn't have the effect hoped for. This can be easily overcome thanks to a wonderful new product...
Genchem Beta-G which is a unique powder that should be added to your shrimp tank every week. This will stop any molting problems in the future enabling your freshwater shrimp to grow at the speed they wish without any risks.
Economical too, you only need to use 1/5th of a spoon which comes with Genchem Beta-G, so expect this product to last a couple of years :)
21 comments
Hi, if a shrimp is having difficulty moulting will BETA- G help if given during the difficulty? thanks Paul.
Sure will
I think this is what’s happening to one of my newly acquired shrimps? He has keeled over on his side his skin half way down went opaque and now is going darker in colour. He has moved a little. Do I just watch and wait ? How long approximately till he is back to his usual self? Phew I thought I was going to loose him. Thanks for your blog .
Hi Lisa
How is that shrimp now? Did you use Beta G?
I suspect your shrimp was just moulting.
At least now you know :) Hope it didn’t surprise you too much.