Molting shrimp

[Pickles]

I have a cleaner shrimp and the other day I found a dead one in my tank. At least I thought it was a dead one. I thought a piece of live rock somehow brought it in. Anyway, after doing some unrealated reading, I found that cleaner shrimp molt. I am sure I sound dumb but I had no idea. I guess that explains why my little guy has been so inactive and in hiding. Anyway, it looked like his legs molted. Is this right or do they just molt ther outter body shell?

 

[Ed Hahn]

exoskeleton, you are right. The outer shell molts to allow animal to grow larger.

 

[g0rFz]

everything will molt all around the same time. he could have molted his body and you just dont see the shell

 

[krisfal]

The molted skeleton seems to disinegrate rather quickly so that is likely why you saw only the legs. It seems like in my tank about 24 hours and the skeleton is gone.

 

[g0rFz]

weird with mine it has lasted for a few weeks, maybe it depends on the species?

 

[krisfal]

Or maybe it is my monster bristle worms?