CB shrimp...how big?

[jbird69]

Ive had a coral banded shrimp for about a year. He has grown quite large. If he spread his pinchers fully he'd be at least 4-5" his antenae span is 1 foot...no joke. He also molts at least once a month.

I am torn between considering him a threat and being pleased with the way he constantly forages the reef. He hasnt done any harm to my livestock, tho he makes quick work of dead or dying livestock. I consider this a benefit as I know he cleans up anything dead that I couldnt find.

How big can they get and do you consider them reef safe.

Jay

[runningstix]

Mine is huge as well, molts every 12 days like clockwork. I would say pinchers apart is 6"+ easy! However mine may be homocided in the near future due to interceptor and not being able to catch the thing. I would say mine has been reef safe for the 18+/- months Ive had mine.

[fasteddie99]

I had one and I agree, they grow fast. I kept him for about 4 months and took him back to the LFS because he was a terror. He ate all of my blue legged hermits, killed 2 big feather dusters, and who know what else he's done that I may not have caught him eating. I think they are the coolest looking shrimp but I understand its a 50/50 chance of getting one that is completely safe, it sounds like you have. I caught mine lunging at my royal damsel (the king of the tank) several times. I now have 2 cleaner shrimp, there alot of fun.

Glad to see you have a good guy, I'm interested to hear from others just how big they do get.

[jbird69]

The craziest theing about my CBS is he will play cleaner shrimp for my hippo. He uses his smaller pincers very gently...wierd.

Jay