Petshrimp.com Discussion Forum

One of my bamboo shrimp appears to have brown hair algae growing on her shell. She is brightly colored and actively filter feeding and shows no indication of sickness. However, it sure is odd and alarming to see what looks like algae growing on her back.

Anyone ever see this before?

That is odd and I have not seen it before . To think about it, I guess it could happen if there is brown algae growning elsewhere in the tank why not on the shrimp

I'll try to get a photo later today if possible. I'm not too incredibly alarmed because she appears so healthy and is actively feeding, but it sure is odd.

Do you have a lot of light in your tank? If so cut back.

Good point badflash. This particular aquarium is my most brightly lit planted aquarium with bright compact fluorescent lighting. The shrimp in there seem to like to climb nearly to the surface for feeding, so they would get a LOT of light.

Today I noticed that this shrimp had molted and left behind an algae covered exoskeleton. The shrimp still looks and behaves as would be expected of a healthy filter shrimp.

You might wat to try my trick with the elite mini filter to get them to feed in a lower spot. I love these little filters. They are very easy to clean when they clog up, and they can be used to add air too.

Today I noticed that this shrimp had molted and left behind an algae covered exoskeleton.

That sounds neat!

...and they can be used to add air too.

I will try one for this reason

Never seen that before either. Maybe put some amanos or cherry in the tank. They may just piggy back off the bamboo and help clean it.

crazie.eddie wrote:Never seen that before either. Maybe put some amanos or cherry in the tank. They may just piggy back off the bamboo and help clean it.

I think that might make things worse. Amanos and Cherries are not big string algae eaters, and bamboos don't like to be touched. I kept bamboos and amanos together and I think this stressed out the bamboos.

Hi everyone, I am so excited to finally get to post on your forum( I have been trying to join since the 23rd but, I couldn't get a contact code). I found your site while looking for information, about what was wrong with my Asian filter shrimp. I was amazed to find a post with my exact same concern, and all these people who love their shrimp as much as I love Mr. Shrimpy! My shrimp also had a brown algae- like growth on his back, and I was very worried even though he was nicely colored and eating normally. My shrimp molted a few days after that, and left a shell that was covered in algae. I was very relieved until I noticed that part of his carapace seemed detached as described in a July posting titled molt/disease. I was very worried and tested everything. I found that my nitrate was elevated, and immediately corrected . Mr. Shrimpy is still eating and a nice tomato red, the deformity is no longer a piece of his side ,it looks just like a piece of shell is loose. The skin underneath is white. I am still very worried, but hopeful. Other people have mentioned that bright lighting might be the problem. I changed my hood light from incandescent to florescent about a month ago, so this might have contributed. I went and got him a stone cave and a large piece of driftwood to hide under. I know he still might not make it, but I am hopeful. Tonight I added what I think is a female shrimp to the tank(Ms. Shrimpy). She was in a tank with a large black ghost knife fish, and I thought I had better rescue her before she molted. Thanks for all the info!!

Hello and welcome ! It is good to see that you care as much as you do about your shrimp. Mr. Shrimpy sounds like he is behaving as usual and is feeding well, both good signs. I would keep the water clean and see if he heals with each additional molt. Please keep us informed.

Hi Neonshrimp, thanks for the greeting I will definitely keep you posted!

Welcome. Just keep the water quality good and the shrimp should be OK on the next molt. The red coloration means he's happy.

badflash wrote:

crazie.eddie wrote:Never seen that before either. Maybe put some amanos or cherry in the tank. They may just piggy back off the bamboo and help clean it.

I think that might make things worse. Amanos and Cherries are not big string algae eaters, and bamboos don't like to be touched. I kept bamboos and amanos together and I think this stressed out the bamboos.

I keep my "bamboos" in with my RCS, and mine don't seem to mind the ocassional RCS picking stuff off of them.

It looks like some shrimp have different behaviors/personality