coral banded shrimp

Question
I have had a pair of coral banded shrimp for 6 weeks. both seem fine and eat well. one molted 3 days ago then just died. the other just molted today. all tests of the water are within tolernce.  all the fish seem healthy. 1 sailfin tang,2 yellow tail damsels and 1 royal gramma. just don't know why it died?

Answer
Hi Gary,

Sorry to hear of your loss.

The Banded Coral Shrimp life expectancy is approximately 3 to 4 years, perhaps it was just its time.

This species of marine life in the Stenopodidae family is still wild-caught, typically in Indonesia or the Caribbeans versus being raised in captivity from an aquaculture facility, therefore it would be almost impossible for the collectors to know the age of the animal before selling it to the various distribution channels.

Also while molting, the Banded Coral Shrimp will often need 1-2 days, before its new exoskeleton hardens; during this time it's vulnerable to predation from large fish, and often times large carnivorous fish or Eels can pick at it, causing the death of it.

Regards,
David - Editor All Experts
Director - Orange County Reef Aquatics http://www.ocreef.com