Cherry shrimp a bit tough?

[Brengun]

Been watching my little senegal bichir stalk and catch cherry shrimp tonight but he doesn't swallow them whole, he chews and chews and chews. Are cherry shrimp a bit tough and need tenderising or something?

 

[Cholly]

It's the exoskeleton. Thin as it is, it's still a carapace.

 

[we4wieners]

Mine does the same thing with the carapace on krill.

 

[Brengun]

I will have to watch closely and see if he spits that bit out or just mushes it up so it passes thru his digestive system. I suppose once he's a bit bigger it won't matter.