Hi everyone... let's start by saying that I bought an Ecosphere because I thought it was an amazing thing, I had been looking at these for over two years.
As soon as I received it I started looking for more info... and this is how I found this website..
Unnecessary to say that I feel guilty now after reading a bit around... but I guess it is too late for that.
This is my 3rd day with my Sphere... I have a small one with 4 shrimpies.
I looked at it this morning and to my surprise a see a "shell"... a shrimpy-ghost floating in there... for a moment I thought one of them was already dead... but all 4 are still swimming around... so what is this transparent-ghosty-fullbody shell with legs and everything? It looks like a full shrimp, but empty.... I really don't know how else to describe it but it's a little freaky..
Hope you can help.
THANK YOU!
Ecosphere - questions & help
Moderator: Mustafa
Re: Ecosphere - questions & help
I'm answering by own question... I had to google it and could not find anything at first because I had no idea of what to look for... it's called "molting".. they change skin to grow.... amazing...
in only 3 days I am learning so much about these little creatures....
in only 3 days I am learning so much about these little creatures....
Re: Ecosphere - questions & help
Yes - your shrimp molted. The term for a molted exoskeleton is "exuviae". It shouldn't last for long - your shrimp will eat it.
Re: Ecosphere - questions & help
Don't feel too guilty. I was looking at EcoSpheres too and that's how I learned about these shrimp. If it gets more people into the hobby, the shrimp population ultimately benefits.
I've seen YouTube videos that show you how to free your EcoSphere shrimp and put them into a more suitable container that allows you to feed them.
You already have the shrimp and they're in cycled water. A $6 fishbowl from Walmart, a gallon of distilled water from the grocery store, 1/4 cup of Instant Ocean salt, and some rock decorations from... well, anywhere, would look great and still make a good desktop home for them.
I've used lava rock from Lowes/Home Depot in tanks. It's the kind sold for gas grills. It can be stacked or crushed and used as substrate. It gives them plenty of space to hide. It's safe, but give it a good rinse. There's lots of surface area for beneficial bacteria growth. It's cheap at $5 for 7 pounds of rock. If you were really adventurous you could use a fish-safe silicone caulk and glue the rocks into a tower for them to swim around and hide in.
I've seen YouTube videos that show you how to free your EcoSphere shrimp and put them into a more suitable container that allows you to feed them.
You already have the shrimp and they're in cycled water. A $6 fishbowl from Walmart, a gallon of distilled water from the grocery store, 1/4 cup of Instant Ocean salt, and some rock decorations from... well, anywhere, would look great and still make a good desktop home for them.
I've used lava rock from Lowes/Home Depot in tanks. It's the kind sold for gas grills. It can be stacked or crushed and used as substrate. It gives them plenty of space to hide. It's safe, but give it a good rinse. There's lots of surface area for beneficial bacteria growth. It's cheap at $5 for 7 pounds of rock. If you were really adventurous you could use a fish-safe silicone caulk and glue the rocks into a tower for them to swim around and hide in.