Exoskeleton?

[Jmck]

I had a thought, and thinking of dead fish in my tank, what should I do when my shrimps and so forth shed? should I just leave it in the tank, or will it cause my nitrates to go up?

Also, I have pictures at home (im at uni atm) but I think i found a baby snail! my turbo snails must be getting busy. It was tiny, just a little bit bigger than a pin head!

also my sea cucumbers are good at scaring the shit out of me, they were partly wedged under a rock and looked dead, even when I took them out from there! but they were moving a few minutes after... phew.. but is that normal for them?

Thanks
Josh

 

[Smitty]

You can leave the exoskeleton in there, it won't raise the trates...something will eat it...
That's a good sign to see baby snails, that means they are happy...there's more of them in there...
Yeah, that's kinda normal from a cucumber, they're known for getting into various craters, nooks and crannys.

 

[Bifferwine]

+1 Smitty. The molts won't harm your tank.

 

[Jmck]

haha good, didnt think they would but thought I should double check!

and thats ok that the cucumbers get a bit stuck? should i leave them at all times? or help them move out of that spot if they look stuck?

It was a shock to see that little snail! but im happy things are going well :D gonna have to search for me i think

 

[BL1]

Your cucumber wasn't stuck, they just move really slowly, you'd be amazed at the spaces they can fit in.
read this article about them: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/invert.htm
it goes a little bit into their behaviors, reactions to stress/predators

 

[Jmck]

ohhh ok fair enough, ive seen how they move but he hadnt moved for a full day, and when I moved him, was limp and rolling around in the current and then 2 minutes later, started eating!

 

[BL1]

I've got two in my tank, and the smaller one NEVER moves but, he's eating and I'll see him :pooh: once in a while

 

[Jmck]

hahaha alright, ill just leave them alone then :P thanks

 

[yote]

+1 Everybody.:D

 

[Sharkie]

cucumbers are one of my most favorite things but i'm so nervous about getting one :p

don't worry about them ever getting stuck, its like a one in a bazillion chance its stuck... if you try to take it out it'll prolly spit his guts out at ya and ya don't really want that.. uber sticky and gross lol.

 

[Jmck]

haha, so far, ive picked them up a few times and no gut spitting :P mine are quite trained. but they arent very special looking, just a couple of black turds! :P