Cyst or start of molt?

[rashr]

I have a cleaner shrimp (Skunk) and he has a bump like a cyst about midway on his abdomen. Just about in the middle of his legs on his left side. He has recently molted but this concerns me....he seems to be enjoying the tank so instead of being a pessimist I thought "maybe he is molting" but now I am not too sure.....any idea? Water parameters look great so I am at a loss as to what the bump/cyst looking thing is.

[amcarrig]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/rs/index.php

Scroll down until you see the pictures of the shrimp carrying a parasitic isopod. Is that what your shrimp has?

[rashr]

That's it!!!!

Not that this is good news, but at least I now know what is going on.....thanks for your help!

[amcarrig]

It's not exactly bad news either. It seems that the shrimp can live quite a while with the parasite so don't count it out yet