Curling of the body - what's this behaviour about?

[Finley]

What does it mean when shrimp (e.g. my CRS) curl their tails right under themselves, so that their whole body forms a tight 'U' shape?

Thanks,

Finley

[Neonshrimp]

Most of the time it means that they are cleaning their swimlets. It can also just be a way of stretching/loosening their shell.

[geo]

I agree with Neonshrimp in that It makes sense from a biological perspective that their "curling" is probably related to keeping their exoskeleton limber and flexible.

Peace, Geo

[HellRaizer]

my RCS usualy start doing this a while before they molt, its just to loosen up the old skin and move it from the new one.. if you are lucky you might catch one doing this and then the next moment see it pop out leaving an empty milky colored skin behind

[Neonshrimp]

One of our members recently posted a video clips of shrimp molting

[HellRaizer]

yes, that was those you-tube video clips of a CRS molting.. definately some way cool clips, its something most of us hardly ever see! personally ive only seen this once, and by accident realy since i was feeding the shrimp and one that was doing these curling movements cought my eye and the next moment it popped right out of its 'skin'

[Shaun]

I think they are also doing this to clean themselves. Watch their back legs, they reach around and wipe all over. It reminds me of a fly.
Shaun

[aberfitch]

I have noticed mine doing the same this last week. This behavior is new to me too!! Observing them closely it seems they are cleaning. I also checked their private hiding area and there are about 6 molted shells. So it must be some are cleaning themselves and the others are streaching to molt.