Shrimp molting, Seattle WA

Pier Peer event in Seattle, WA, People for Puget Sound

Shrimp Embarrassed by Sudden Molt in Public

We trekked out to Elliott Bay Marina as we do on dark and sometimes stormy nights last night. From all appearances, it looked like it would be a bust the water was really cloudy because of all the stormwater from recent rains. A small contingent of dedicated biologists and everyday citizens joined us for an evening of capturing unsuspecting polychaetes, fish and tunicates.




As we began to pack up our submersible lights and field guides, we took one last scoop with our net, and pulled up a beautiful forage fish. Already in the bucket was a rhinoceros shrimp that seemed quite peaceful and content. The shrimp had been in the bucket for about 20 minutes and we feared we had harmed it by capturing it.




Mandy dutifully recorded our newly captured forage fish to identify later (still unknown!)when the unthinkable happened. Right there, in our bucket, the shrimp pulled its head and tentacles out of its shell! We didnt notice since we were focused on the forage fish, until it suddenly, and with a jolt, it removed its tail from the shell as well! The shrimps shell lay discarded like dirty laundry as it seemed to come back to life. Thats why it was so sluggish and probably why we caught it so easily it was molting! Thrilled to not have harmed the shrimp AND see nature in action, we continued packing up our gear, smiling and joyfully retelling the experience to each other as we walked off the pier.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Shrimp
• molt
• people for puget sound

[jamiew7]

I think I'm the one that sounds like a muppet . . .

[mandyudub]

Yeah.... You are.:)

[magelaugh123]

lol awsome