Shrimp breaks in half??

[Rlumenator]

I have two skunk cleaners. Last week a 2 inch shrimp appeared out of nowhere on my overflow box. I went to net it out to my quar. tank to id- lest he disappear and be bad. When I netted him, he broke in half. I felt very bad. On examination he appeared to be a very pale, transparent, frail version of my skunk shrimp based on the markings. Tonight I was using the magnetic glass cleaner, and suddenly I saw a shrimp tail on the bottom- another of the same variety that I must have knocked into with the mag.- his other half of body was a few inches away. What are these, where did they suddenly come from (I mean like I LOOK at the tank daily), and why do they break apart. I have not added anyhting to the tank recently that could have housed them. Thank you.

 

[cjsrch]

uhhh possiable molting? or atleast an attempt. with out proper PH CA and iodine levels they will mostlikely die in the process. but if they succeeded maby you found there old "shell"

i was freeked out when mine did that then i looked closer to see there was no real "meat" in there. it was just a shell

 

[Rlumenator]

I will check- they are growing really fast- that would make me so happy if that was the answer!

 

[Rlumenator]

Thank you so much- i didn't kill anything, it is indeed a molt!!

 

[Mihai]

LOL. I also found two crabs when I was sure I only had one .

M.