Red spots/growths on coral banded shrimp

I noticed it first yesterday and today they look a little worse although
it's very hard to see (even with my glasses on). The spots are only on
her antennae things and are irregular in size and placement. Some look
raised and one antennae (is that what they're called?) is shorter than
the others, half the length. She was fine the day before but hasn't
raced out for a feed since the first few days I had her back a month or
so ago. I put it down to the fact there is more food going into the tank
as I also got more fish the same day, and therefore there would be more
for her to scavenge while not being watched. I observed her this evening
having a bit of a grab for the coral beauty which is normal behaviour
and is very half hearted.

Now the other thing that happened today. First thing this morning I
found a dead crab in the tank that I never knew was there (live rock
hitchhiker). It was very small, maybe a cm across the body and it was
red. I really wish I'd seen this little cutie alive. I'm not 100% sure
this wasn't a shell and not the whole crab but I'm a bit icky when it
comes to dead things. (I asked hubby to take a look but he was busy
making his latest "great" batch of home brew). I know it didn't smell
and it's legs fell off if touched which is what made me wonder if it was
shell only.

Could these two things be related? Disease? Punchup?
Tank is 700 litres and live rock went in in October, first 2 fish in
November and next 3 fish, leather coral and shrimp in December. I did a
108 litre water change today (ran out of R/O water). Coral is looking
better than ever and all fish are in fine health. All the other living
things in the tank look fine. Ca is still reading very high at 600 but I
am sending a water sample to the petshop next week for testing. pH is
8.4 and SG is 1.0225/1.023. I was really slack and didn't retest the
Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates and Phosphates which were all 0 last week.

I've just been down and checked the tank in the dark and the shrimp is
out and about. I think I am more concerned that she is
In the dark is the only time I get to see a tube worm that is about 5cm
across but I don't do it too often as it scares the fish to have a small
torch light around.

I'm going away for 2 days but have someone coming to check on the
fishand more importantly that he equipment is all running. I may not get
to read your replies until I get back so don't think you are wasting
your "breath". Just out of interest, I put the fish food in medicine
containers, the sort that are long and labelled for each day of the
week, 7 compartments. One medicine container for each tank. The "real"
food is in tiny containers in the fridge, one for each day. That way
nothing can be overfed by kindly fishsitters. I usually feed the fish
twice a day but only allow fishsitters to feed them once a day.

Cheerio
miskairal

She's moulted again overnight. 3rd time since I got her in Dec. Gave me
a fright b/c all I could see was those antennae sticking out from
behinds some rocks but I found her alive and well in another place.



miskairal wrote:
I noticed it first yesterday and today they look a little worse although
it's very hard to see (even with my glasses on). The spots are only on
her antennae things and are irregular in size and placement. Some look
raised and one antennae (is that what they're called?) is shorter than
the others, half the length. She was fine the day before but hasn't
raced out for a feed since the first few days I had her back a month or
so ago. I put it down to the fact there is more food going into the tank
as I also got more fish the same day, and therefore there would be more
for her to scavenge while not being watched. I observed her this evening
having a bit of a grab for the coral beauty which is normal behaviour
and is very half hearted.

Now the other thing that happened today. First thing this morning I
found a dead crab in the tank that I never knew was there (live rock
hitchhiker). It was very small, maybe a cm across the body and it was
red. I really wish I'd seen this little cutie alive. I'm not 100% sure
this wasn't a shell and not the whole crab but I'm a bit icky when it
comes to dead things. (I asked hubby to take a look but he was busy
making his latest "great" batch of home brew). I know it didn't smell
and it's legs fell off if touched which is what made me wonder if it was
shell only.

Could these two things be related? Disease? Punchup?
Tank is 700 litres and live rock went in in October, first 2 fish in
November and next 3 fish, leather coral and shrimp in December. I did a
108 litre water change today (ran out of R/O water). Coral is looking
better than ever and all fish are in fine health. All the other living
things in the tank look fine. Ca is still reading very high at 600 but I
am sending a water sample to the petshop next week for testing. pH is
8.4 and SG is 1.0225/1.023. I was really slack and didn't retest the
Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates and Phosphates which were all 0 last week.

I've just been down and checked the tank in the dark and the shrimp is
out and about. I think I am more concerned that she is
In the dark is the only time I get to see a tube worm that is about 5cm
across but I don't do it too often as it scares the fish to have a small
torch light around.

I'm going away for 2 days but have someone coming to check on the
fishand more importantly that he equipment is all running. I may not get
to read your replies until I get back so don't think you are wasting
your "breath". Just out of interest, I put the fish food in medicine
containers, the sort that are long and labelled for each day of the
week, 7 compartments. One medicine container for each tank. The "real"
food is in tiny containers in the fridge, one for each day. That way
nothing can be overfed by kindly fishsitters. I usually feed the fish
twice a day but only allow fishsitters to feed them once a day.

Cheerio
miskairal

I would say she is fine then. If she is moulting and carrying on - just let
her be! Why not get her a partner?

~m


"miskairal" mehiding@Oz wrote in message
u...
I noticed it first yesterday and today they look a little worse although
it's very hard to see (even with my glasses on). The spots are only on her
antennae things and are irregular in size and placement. Some look raised
and one antennae (is that what they're called?) is shorter than the others,
half the length. She was fine the day before but hasn't raced out for a
feed since the first few days I had her back a month or so ago. I put it
down to the fact there is more food going into the tank as I also got more
fish the same day, and therefore there would be more for her to scavenge
while not being watched. I observed her this evening having a bit of a grab
for the coral beauty which is normal behaviour and is very half hearted.

Now the other thing that happened today. First thing this morning I found
a dead crab in the tank that I never knew was there (live rock
hitchhiker). It was very small, maybe a cm across the body and it was red.
I really wish I'd seen this little cutie alive. I'm not 100% sure this
wasn't a shell and not the whole crab but I'm a bit icky when it comes to
dead things. (I asked hubby to take a look but he was busy making his
latest "great" batch of home brew). I know it didn't smell and it's legs
fell off if touched which is what made me wonder if it was shell only.

Could these two things be related? Disease? Punchup?
Tank is 700 litres and live rock went in in October, first 2 fish in
November and next 3 fish, leather coral and shrimp in December. I did a
108 litre water change today (ran out of R/O water). Coral is looking
better than ever and all fish are in fine health. All the other living
things in the tank look fine. Ca is still reading very high at 600 but I
am sending a water sample to the petshop next week for testing. pH is 8.4
and SG is 1.0225/1.023. I was really slack and didn't retest the Ammonia,
Nitrites, Nitrates and Phosphates which were all 0 last week.

I've just been down and checked the tank in the dark and the shrimp is out
and about. I think I am more concerned that she is
In the dark is the only time I get to see a tube worm that is about 5cm
across but I don't do it too often as it scares the fish to have a small
torch light around.

I'm going away for 2 days but have someone coming to check on the fishand
more importantly that he equipment is all running. I may not get to read
your replies until I get back so don't think you are wasting your
"breath". Just out of interest, I put the fish food in medicine
containers, the sort that are long and labelled for each day of the week,
7 compartments. One medicine container for each tank. The "real" food is
in tiny containers in the fridge, one for each day. That way nothing can
be overfed by kindly fishsitters. I usually feed the fish twice a day but
only allow fishsitters to feed them once a day.

Cheerio
miskairal

Thanks Michael,
It's now 3 days after I first posted and when I got home this arvo she
was looking great.

She has moulted twice before since I got her and I never noticed those
spots/growths the other times. I'm starting to realize you never stop
discovering when you have a salt water setup.


Michael Lawford wrote:
I would say she is fine then. If she is moulting and carrying on - just let
her be! Why not get her a partner?

~m


"miskairal" mehiding@Oz wrote in message
u...

I noticed it first yesterday and today they look a little worse although
it's very hard to see (even with my glasses on). The spots are only on her
antennae things and are irregular in size and placement. Some look raised
and one antennae (is that what they're called?) is shorter than the others,
half the length. She was fine the day before but hasn't raced out for a
feed since the first few days I had her back a month or so ago. I put it
down to the fact there is more food going into the tank as I also got more
fish the same day, and therefore there would be more for her to scavenge
while not being watched. I observed her this evening having a bit of a grab
for the coral beauty which is normal behaviour and is very half hearted.

Now the other thing that happened today. First thing this morning I found
a dead crab in the tank that I never knew was there (live rock
hitchhiker). It was very small, maybe a cm across the body and it was red.
I really wish I'd seen this little cutie alive. I'm not 100% sure this
wasn't a shell and not the whole crab but I'm a bit icky when it comes to
dead things. (I asked hubby to take a look but he was busy making his
latest "great" batch of home brew). I know it didn't smell and it's legs
fell off if touched which is what made me wonder if it was shell only.

Could these two things be related? Disease? Punchup?
Tank is 700 litres and live rock went in in October, first 2 fish in
November and next 3 fish, leather coral and shrimp in December. I did a
108 litre water change today (ran out of R/O water). Coral is looking
better than ever and all fish are in fine health. All the other living
things in the tank look fine. Ca is still reading very high at 600 but I
am sending a water sample to the petshop next week for testing. pH is 8.4
and SG is 1.0225/1.023. I was really slack and didn't retest the Ammonia,
Nitrites, Nitrates and Phosphates which were all 0 last week.

I've just been down and checked the tank in the dark and the shrimp is out
and about. I think I am more concerned that she is
In the dark is the only time I get to see a tube worm that is about 5cm
across but I don't do it too often as it scares the fish to have a small
torch light around.

I'm going away for 2 days but have someone coming to check on the fishand
more importantly that he equipment is all running. I may not get to read
your replies until I get back so don't think you are wasting your
"breath". Just out of interest, I put the fish food in medicine
containers, the sort that are long and labelled for each day of the week,
7 compartments. One medicine container for each tank. The "real" food is
in tiny containers in the fridge, one for each day. That way nothing can
be overfed by kindly fishsitters. I usually feed the fish twice a day but
only allow fishsitters to feed them once a day.

Cheerio
miskairal

Miskairal wrote:

Now the other thing that happened today. First thing this morning I
found a dead crab in the tank that I never knew was there (live rock
hitchhiker). It was very small, maybe a cm across the body and it was
red. I really wish I'd seen this little cutie alive. I'm not 100% sure
this wasn't a shell and not the whole crab but I'm a bit icky when it
comes to dead things. (I asked hubby to take a look but he was busy
making his latest "great" batch of home brew). I know it didn't smell
and it's legs fell off if touched which is what made me wonder if it
was
shell only.

Hi Miskairal,

That sounds like it was a molted shell rather than a crab corpse. When
a crab molts it pretty much takes off its old shell like a suit of
clothes and then goes into hiding while its new shell hardens.

Every year at the Marine Center where I volunteer we get reports of
huge numbers of "dead" crabs showing up on one or another of our local
beaches. What these people are actually seeing are crab molts that
have been concentrated by the vagaries of the weather and currents
onto a particular beach. I've seen this myself many times and the
shells are almost invariably empty.

All crustaceans go through the same process but with crabs the result
is more striking because their comparatively heavy shells result in
the molt looking essentially identical to the live animal. FWIW:
Barnacles, being crustaceans, also molt their inner shell (but not the
CaCO3 house that they live in) and their molts are one of the most
alien looking things you'd ever want to see. Barnacle shells are very
thin so you virtually never see the molts in nature because they are
quickly destroyed by wind and wave. OTOH: If you have barnacles in
your aquarium you may be able to find them occasionally. If you do,
take a look at it under about 10X magnification - it doesn't look like
it originated on Earth!

What happens is that the crab pumps excess water out of its tissues
such that the 'meat' shrinks a bit. Then it pops its carapace open
like a trap door and climbs out. More often than not the carapace
closes again after the crab exits and you are left with an empty
duplicate of a live crab.

Developmentally yours,

Alex

So I can get my hopes up that the little red crab is alive and well in
my tank even though I may never see it? Yay! I'm not normally icky about
dead things but I've had a couple of bad experiences lately with dead
animals and their smell and last year while pulling a kid out of a goat
it's little leg came off in my hand which really ended my ability to be
comfortable round dead things (I didn't know until that point that the
kid must have been dead for days). I also had one of those big golden
freshwater snails die in my tank - I was sus b/c it hadn't moved for a
while and when I picked it out all the fleshy part plopped into the new
water I had ready for a water change and the smell was horrendous.

Thanks for that info about crabs. I really haven't got round to learning
much about them yet.

Tidepool Geek wrote:
Miskairal wrote:

Now the other thing that happened today. First thing this morning I
found a dead crab in the tank that I never knew was there (live rock
hitchhiker). It was very small, maybe a cm across the body and it was
red. I really wish I'd seen this little cutie alive. I'm not 100% sure
this wasn't a shell and not the whole crab but I'm a bit icky when it
comes to dead things. (I asked hubby to take a look but he was busy
making his latest "great" batch of home brew). I know it didn't smell
and it's legs fell off if touched which is what made me wonder if it
was
shell only.

Hi Miskairal,

That sounds like it was a molted shell rather than a crab corpse. When
a crab molts it pretty much takes off its old shell like a suit of
clothes and then goes into hiding while its new shell hardens.

Every year at the Marine Center where I volunteer we get reports of
huge numbers of "dead" crabs showing up on one or another of our local
beaches. What these people are actually seeing are crab molts that
have been concentrated by the vagaries of the weather and currents
onto a particular beach. I've seen this myself many times and the
shells are almost invariably empty.

All crustaceans go through the same process but with crabs the result
is more striking because their comparatively heavy shells result in
the molt looking essentially identical to the live animal. FWIW:
Barnacles, being crustaceans, also molt their inner shell (but not the
CaCO3 house that they live in) and their molts are one of the most
alien looking things you'd ever want to see. Barnacle shells are very
thin so you virtually never see the molts in nature because they are
quickly destroyed by wind and wave. OTOH: If you have barnacles in
your aquarium you may be able to find them occasionally. If you do,
take a look at it under about 10X magnification - it doesn't look like
it originated on Earth!

What happens is that the crab pumps excess water out of its tissues
such that the 'meat' shrinks a bit. Then it pops its carapace open
like a trap door and climbs out. More often than not the carapace
closes again after the crab exits and you are left with an empty
duplicate of a live crab.

Developmentally yours,

Alex