Choosing Shrimp Question

hardimanm · 06/19/2009, 07:15 AM

Currently i have a 42 gallon hex aquarium. I am building up my cleaning crew and now want shrimp. I really like the look of the coral banded shrimp but have been told they are not the most efficient cleaners. I have been told to go with the peppermint or the skunk cleaner.

My first question is which ones should i get. the peppermint or the skunk or both or go with the CB shrimp

Next question is some info out there says the coral banded shrimp will get along with other species of shrimp and other info says it will aggressively go after any other shrimp. So which is it?

Thanks in advance
Michael

snorvich · 06/19/2009, 07:40 AM

I would never put a coral banded shrimp in my reef tanks. They will go after other shrimp and some small fish. If you introduce a peppermint shrimp, be SURE it is a peppermint not an imitation. In any case, miniature hermit crabs will be better for a cleanup crew than shrimps.

THE ROOK · 06/19/2009, 07:42 AM

Skarlet Skunk Cleaner shrimp. Very active & brightly colored.

johnike · 06/19/2009, 07:47 AM

A pair of Harlequins are beautiful, got two in my 180.

billdogg · 06/19/2009, 07:53 AM

I agree with snorvich about the CBS. They can be a problem if you want other shrimp or have smaller fish. As far as clean up crew shrimp, there are those who use peppermint shrimp for aiptasia control, and skunk cleaners can help with on-fish parasite control sometimes, (I have 2 in with Hannibal, my ~4' undulated moray who spend all day crawling all over him picking at this n that) I much prefer various snails and small hermits to help keep the sandbed stirred. Even something like a Diamond Goby, (if you don't mind the occasional sandstorm) can help.

snorvich · 06/19/2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnike
A pair of Harlequins are beautiful, got two in my 180.

Gorgeous but require starfish for feeding as they are obligate feeders.

snorvich · 06/19/2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by THE ROOK
Skarlet Skunk Cleaner shrimp. Very active & brightly colored.

They are indeed pretty and useful. Keep in mind that cleaner shrimps do NOT eat parasites. That is a myth. They are, however, great at finding uneaten food.

Juruense · 06/19/2009, 08:16 AM

I bought a coral banded shrimp and I seriously regret it. WAY too aggressive...

sebrofjr · 06/19/2009, 08:50 AM

yup, I got rid of my CBS about 3 months after having it. He was an absolute pr1ck. I caught him nipping at my clowns while they were sleeping. They had to hide up near the top to not get picked on.

Superstretch18 · 06/19/2009, 09:33 AM

Just a little advice on whatever shrimp you select; pick the smallest specimens that you can find.

Shrimp have a short lifespan, usually only a couple of years. You can fairly reliably gauge their age by their size. It's not 100%accurate, but you can be sure that a large shrimp that most places will charge a premium for, is close to the end of it's natural life.

cwbhawk · 06/19/2009, 10:32 AM

I would choose a skunk cleaner, very fun to watch, and much more colorful then the peppermint.

Korrine · 06/19/2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by snorvich
They are indeed pretty and useful. Keep in mind that cleaner shrimps do NOT eat parasites. That is a myth. They are, however, great at finding uneaten food.

Then why are they frequently seen cleaning fish? Are they just picking off dead scales?

Thanks

IslandCrow · 06/19/2009, 01:36 PM

Actually, cleaner shrimp do eat some parasites. From what I understand it's simply unlikely that they eat certain parasites, like that associated with marine ich. In other words, getting a cleaner shrimp to cure your fish of ich is probably a useless gesture.

Tylt33 · 06/19/2009, 01:51 PM

CBS are too aggressive. I had a pair of skunk cleaners eat smaller peppermint shrimp. A manager at a LFS shared he had the same experience with his. I also watched them try and get my pistol shrimp... they're fine on their own, but shouldn't be mixed with other shrimp imo.

dudley moray · 06/19/2009, 01:53 PM

pistol shrimp they are useful for stirring sand bed and the commensal relationship with watchmen goby is fun to watch

iFisch · 06/19/2009, 02:16 PM

Can a peppermint and skunk cleaner co-exist in a 14g tank?

My peppermint is a somewhat large specimen. About 2.5" or so.

thedoctor06 · 06/19/2009, 02:51 PM

Those two species shouldn't have any issues together. The CBS are not very predictable. I had to banish mine to the sump not long after I got him due to his unruly behavior

romsoccer12 · 06/19/2009, 03:28 PM

cave shrimp look like coral bandes shrimp and they have a good personality or a blood fire shrimp

iFisch · 06/19/2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by romsoccer12
cave shrimp look like coral bandes shrimp and they have a good personality or a blood fire shrimp

I hear often that the blood red's are mostly nocturnal. From what I've heard, it may be days before you see your blood red, unlike the skunk which is a bit more friendly and hanging out during the day.

And yes, I'm well aware of molting. Mine just finished his molt a few days ago. Hadn't seen my peppermint in 3 days, and all of a sudden he's back!

Mine is semi-active during the day, and then munches on aptaisa during the night.

iFisch · 06/19/2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thedoctor06
Those two species shouldn't have any issues together. The CBS are not very predictable. I had to banish mine to the sump not long after I got him due to his unruly behavior

Can anyone else verify this? I wouldn't want to loose a shrimp, or both shrimp due to somewhat small space (14g).

However I've never heard of anyone having a problem with the two.

But, my peppermint is a large one. At LEAST 2.5" long. If I get a small skunk, there won't be any problems, correct?

Superstretch18 · 06/19/2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by iFisch
Hadn't seen my peppermint in 3 days, and all of a sudden he's back!

Mine is semi-active during the day, and then munches on aptaisa during the night.

I never see my peppermint shrimp, except on the off chance that I'm looking into the tank when the lights are out. He's the all time aiptasia eating champ though. He completely cleaned my tank; even the monster 4 incher that was starting to bother my bubbletip!

I can confirm that peps and skunks shouldn't have any issues together. Like anything else, there are sometimes exceptions, but usually they will both leave each other alone...

n00by · 06/19/2009, 05:48 PM

Blood shrimp are probably the most beautiful shrimp species out of them all. I've seen them at LFS's cleaning fish just like a cleaner shrimp but quickly scurry away when you come near the glass.

Does anyone have a Blood shrimp, Lysmata debelius, and see it cleaning fish/uneaten food?

iFisch · 06/19/2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Superstretch18
I never see my peppermint shrimp, except on the off chance that I'm looking into the tank when the lights are out. He's the all time aiptasia eating champ though. He completely cleaned my tank; even the monster 4 incher that was starting to bother my bubbletip!

I can confirm that peps and skunks shouldn't have any issues together. Like anything else, there are sometimes exceptions, but usually they will both leave each other alone...

I see mine regularly throughout the day. And he LOVES the pellet fish food I feed my fish.

As soon as the smell hits the water, he shoots out like a missile hunting down pellets on the sand bed. It's quite cool actually.

06/19/2009, 07:15 AM	#1
hardimanm Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Madison, Alabama Posts: 207	Choosing Shrimp Question Currently i have a 42 gallon hex aquarium. I am building up my cleaning crew and now want shrimp. I really like the look of the coral banded shrimp but have been told they are not the most efficient cleaners. I have been told to go with the peppermint or the skunk cleaner. My first question is which ones should i get. the peppermint or the skunk or both or go with the CB shrimp Next question is some info out there says the coral banded shrimp will get along with other species of shrimp and other info says it will aggressively go after any other shrimp. So which is it? Thanks in advance Michael

06/19/2009, 07:40 AM	#2
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	I would never put a coral banded shrimp in my reef tanks. They will go after other shrimp and some small fish. If you introduce a peppermint shrimp, be SURE it is a peppermint not an imitation. In any case, miniature hermit crabs will be better for a cleanup crew than shrimps. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

06/19/2009, 07:53 AM	#5
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I agree with snorvich about the CBS. They can be a problem if you want other shrimp or have smaller fish. As far as clean up crew shrimp, there are those who use peppermint shrimp for aiptasia control, and skunk cleaners can help with on-fish parasite control sometimes, (I have 2 in with Hannibal, my ~4' undulated moray who spend all day crawling all over him picking at this n that) I much prefer various snails and small hermits to help keep the sandbed stirred. Even something like a Diamond Goby, (if you don't mind the occasional sandstorm) can help. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

06/19/2009, 09:33 AM	#10
Superstretch18 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 571	Just a little advice on whatever shrimp you select; pick the smallest specimens that you can find. Shrimp have a short lifespan, usually only a couple of years. You can fairly reliably gauge their age by their size. It's not 100%accurate, but you can be sure that a large shrimp that most places will charge a premium for, is close to the end of it's natural life. __________________ -Shaun- ...like making a pen that works in space. Yes, you spent $1 billion NASA and got it to work, good job. But totally impractical when the Russians spent a few cents and simply used pencils... Current Tank Info: TBD

06/19/2009, 10:32 AM	#11
cwbhawk Junior at Iowa State Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa Posts: 148	I would choose a skunk cleaner, very fun to watch, and much more colorful then the peppermint. __________________ I am a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change this image I must first change myself. Fish are friends not food. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tank that I move back and forth from school with me!

06/19/2009, 07:42 AM	#3
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	Skarlet Skunk Cleaner shrimp. Very active & brightly colored.

06/19/2009, 07:47 AM	#4
johnike Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bureau County Illinois Posts: 5,406	A pair of Harlequins are beautiful, got two in my 180.

06/19/2009, 08:16 AM	#8
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	I bought a coral banded shrimp and I seriously regret it. WAY too aggressive...

06/19/2009, 08:50 AM	#9
sebrofjr Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Moncton, NB, Canada Posts: 228	yup, I got rid of my CBS about 3 months after having it. He was an absolute pr1ck. I caught him nipping at my clowns while they were sleeping. They had to hide up near the top to not get picked on.

06/19/2009, 01:36 PM	#13
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	Actually, cleaner shrimp do eat some parasites. From what I understand it's simply unlikely that they eat certain parasites, like that associated with marine ich. In other words, getting a cleaner shrimp to cure your fish of ich is probably a useless gesture. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

06/19/2009, 01:51 PM	#14
Tylt33 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chico, California Posts: 1,755	CBS are too aggressive. I had a pair of skunk cleaners eat smaller peppermint shrimp. A manager at a LFS shared he had the same experience with his. I also watched them try and get my pistol shrimp... they're fine on their own, but shouldn't be mixed with other shrimp imo.

06/19/2009, 01:53 PM	#15
dudley moray sisternofuselessknowledge Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: orillia ontario Posts: 795	pistol shrimp they are useful for stirring sand bed and the commensal relationship with watchmen goby is fun to watch __________________ We urge hobbyists to develop a good 'BS' detector that will allow you to question information presented to you without any experimental evidence to support it. chris Current Tank Info: 90 gal south pacific biotope 40 gal sump/fuge ,65 gal rebuilding

06/19/2009, 02:16 PM	#16
iFisch Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FL Posts: 3,068	Can a peppermint and skunk cleaner co-exist in a 14g tank? My peppermint is a somewhat large specimen. About 2.5" or so.

06/19/2009, 02:51 PM	#17
thedoctor06 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 188	Those two species shouldn't have any issues together. The CBS are not very predictable. I had to banish mine to the sump not long after I got him due to his unruly behavior

06/19/2009, 03:28 PM	#18
romsoccer12 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ohio Posts: 2,625	cave shrimp look like coral bandes shrimp and they have a good personality or a blood fire shrimp __________________ Colin R Current Tank Info: 3rd tank working fine!(29gal oceanic biocube) 5-6months old

06/19/2009, 05:48 PM	#22
n00by Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal Posts: 347	Blood shrimp are probably the most beautiful shrimp species out of them all. I've seen them at LFS's cleaning fish just like a cleaner shrimp but quickly scurry away when you come near the glass. Does anyone have a Blood shrimp, Lysmata debelius, and see it cleaning fish/uneaten food?