Is it normal for coraline to grow on my shrimp??

[djbacon]

My cleaner shrimp molted last about a week and a half ago. I have really good coraline algae growth throughout my tank. Just noticed today that my cleaner is also covered in red spots. Is this normal? his behavior is a-ok. Im 90% sure this is coraline - just want to be sure.

 

[BEELZEBOB]

same on mine...



never seems to bug him i guess

 

[naperenterprise]

Hermit Crabs get growth on there shell.
I'd say this is normal.

 

[djbacon]

yeah, not worried about the hermits, mine even have vermitid snails on their shells My critters have critters, i guess its kinda like fleas on my cat :dryer:

 

[Frankie]

I am not so sure that is coralline on the cleaner shrimp. I see what your talking about though on the wiskers. Strange, I have not seen that before.

 

[vdituri]

I've had it on mine too.
I just figured diatoms. If it is coralline it will be gone on the next shed.

 

[djbacon]

I'll keep ya posted, pretty sure it is and will be gone. Just didnt think it would grow on the shell of a shrimp.

 

[Dentoid]

I have seen this on my cleaner shrimp as well. I always thought it was cyano since it grows so fast. Coraline doesn't grow that fast to be there a week after a shed, IMO. Typcially, when I have seen it on my shrimp, he cleans his antennae incessantly until it's gone.

 

[djbacon]

I dont have cyano anywhere else in my tank....I did for the the 2nd -3rd month like crazy, but now my sand is sparkling clean. The shrimp does not seem to notice or mind the coloring at all. Up close it aslo has that hard, coraline kinda feel. not slimy at all. Ill take a closer look at his next molt under a loupe.

 

[Dentoid]

I don't have any cyano either, but I know it's lurking, just waiting for the right conditions. I really don't know what it is, but I haven't seen it in a long time.

 

[djbacon]

yep, shrimp molted, looks good as new - :angel1: