Green stuff on shrimp

[dxq_canada]

I have a neocardina that seems to have algae growing / attached to it's pleopods (swimming legs).

I have noticed this over the past month. It does not appear to be growing.
I have not seen this particular one molting yet.
It almost appears that the swimming legs have been dyed green.

The shrimp does not seem to notice.

None of the other shrimp appear to have it.

Any guesses to what it is ?? :huh:

[GunmetalBlue]

Hi Dxq, although I'm not really sure, it could very well be algae. That's never happened to my Cherries that I've noticed, however, when my Bamboo shrimp molt, I notice a light film of algae on their exoskeleton. You can even seen the clean line where there is no algae, right where the head part of the carapace and the tail meet. That's where the exoskeleton "pops" open when they start their molt:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/ZeroCatgravity/Shrimp%20-%20Bamboo%20Pics/12DSCN8936CroppedLight400W.jpg

As far as I know, my Bamboos are doing well and the possible explanation for the film of algae on their exoskeleton may be that a filter shrimp do not have the "picking" type little claws to scrub themselves clean with, unlike many of the other species.

So, it could be that for some reason, your shrimp is unable to free itself from the algae? Does it seem to have all its arms and legs? You might just have to wait and see if it can eventually molt and can possibly rid itself of the green stuff. :undecided

-GB

[Walter]

Yup I think it is just algae as well, properly will be gone when it moults. :)