Neon Goby vs Cleaner Shrimp

DrBoxedWine · 05/12/2014, 09:32 AM

During my planning and research for my first and upcoming 75g reef tank, I had given up on adding a Flamehawk, as I'm intrigued by the idea of these "cleaing stations" that cleaner shrimp set up (I hear some people's flames don't eat shrimp, but these people also seem to be on the relatively newer side with their tanks, I never see someone who says "my flame and shrimp have been fine for 5 years"... Sounds like it's just a matter of time.) Then during some browsing last night, I came across Neon Gobies, and some people say they do the same thing. I absolutely love flame hawks. They're actually the fish that initially got me interested in switching my FW to saltwater. Their personality is great, I remember coming home from the fish store that evening and telling my soon-to-be wife "now THAT is a fish you name!" (I don't really name my cichlids). I hear cleaner wrasses often die and don't adapt to aquarium life, so I'm not going to go that route.

So, do neon gobies give the same interesting display and perform the same task as cleaner shrimp?

Also, do all cleaner shrimp perform this routine? I'd be disappointed if I didn't add a flame hawk and then the cleaner shrimp didn't even do what i was hoping to see.

DrBoxedWine · 05/12/2014, 03:40 PM

bump! Anyone out there with experience in this?

das75 · 05/12/2014, 03:56 PM

I've had 2 neon gobies in the tank for about a couple of months, they only come out at feeding time then back in the rocks. Didn't get them for a cleaning station but for looks and bit of a bust considering how much they hide.

Had a cleaner shrimp before, only seen on the fish a few times but would always go after my hand when in the tank. Least they stay in view but you might be disappointed if you're only getting for the cleaning activities.

snorvich · 05/12/2014, 05:45 PM

they are nice fish, but relatively short lived. Neither neon gobies or cleaner shrimp have value at preventing or eliminating parasites (at least not the kind you would encounter in aquaria).

devimik · 05/12/2014, 08:13 PM

Never had Neon Gobies, but have had cleaner shrimp. The only fish that would let it "clean" was my Lawnmower Blenny. No other fish would allow it to get near. As Steve said above, neither provide any cleaning that is of any real value other than something interesting to watch.

DrBoxedWine · 05/12/2014, 08:37 PM

Thanks everyone. Does anyone have any thoughts as to who puts on more of a cleaning show?

das75 · 05/12/2014, 09:06 PM

my experience, neither

Spork3245 · 05/12/2014, 09:29 PM

I've owned two neon cleaner gobies so far, while they are short lived each one has had the biggest personality in the tank and is virtually always out. They also actively clean my other fish, I see it happen daily. My first one died after a lifespan of about a year (which, unfortunately is about average), I bought my next about a week later as the first was my favorite fish, by far. I honestly think that I will always keep cleaner gobies in my tank now.
I'm willing to bet that the poster who claimed that their cleaner gobies are always hiding has two males, two females or an unmated pair - which, like with most fish, is a no-no. Either keep one at a time or a mated pair, two of the same sex will *not* tolerate each other.

coverdog · 05/13/2014, 06:39 AM

My skunk cleaner shrimp cleans my tang and bi-color blennie. I saw him briefly clean a clown also once. He'll get right on the tang and ride him while cleaning. I only catch him doing this occasionally, so it's not a everyday thing to see. He tries to clean all the fish but they don't cooperate, at least while I'm watching.

das75 · 05/13/2014, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spork3245

I'm willing to bet that the poster who claimed that their cleaner gobies are always hiding has two males, two females or an unmated pair - which, like with most fish, is a no-no. Either keep one at a time or a mated pair, two of the same sex will *not* tolerate each other.

they're a mated pair

Nina51 · 05/13/2014, 12:05 PM

i have a skunk cleaner and about the only thing he's good for is scavenging. he *has* a cleaning station but rarely do i see any fish go near it.

i also have 2 long nose hawkfish in the same tank (75g). neither has ever paid attention to the shrimp.

i think flame hawks are more prone to go after bigger shrimp like cleaners. how about just forgetting the shrimp all together and go ahead and getting your flame hawk? hawkfish have SOOOO much personality!!!

jerseygurl · 05/13/2014, 02:48 PM

I love cleaner shrimp, total 100% entertainment to watch. I've had three in my tank forever, Larry, Moe, and Curley. One has a little tunnel cleaning station that the fish swim through for a regular cleaning.

DrBoxedWine · 05/14/2014, 01:39 PM

Thanks everyone. Still not sure what i'm going to do! I might have to go check out a few cleaner shrimp in person, and maybe see what the Mrs. thinks and if she has a preference. I'm thinking at this point i might add a few larger shrimp and then add a small flamehawk down the road. If he eats them, that'd be a bummer, but i might just give it a shot. Then i can try both. Hopefully the flamehawk doesn't scare them in to hiding all the time.

jerseygurl · 05/14/2014, 01:57 PM

I guarantee you the Ms. will love a cleaner shrimp. IMO you can't really appreciate how cool they are in the LFS, but once you get them in your tank they are tons of fun to watch.

DrBoxedWine · 05/14/2014, 02:24 PM

Thanks jerseygurl. It seems like they're hit or miss with some people loving them and others feeling they don't do much for them. Things to consider....

05/12/2014, 09:32 AM	#1
DrBoxedWine Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 899	Neon Goby vs Cleaner Shrimp During my planning and research for my first and upcoming 75g reef tank, I had given up on adding a Flamehawk, as I'm intrigued by the idea of these "cleaing stations" that cleaner shrimp set up (I hear some people's flames don't eat shrimp, but these people also seem to be on the relatively newer side with their tanks, I never see someone who says "my flame and shrimp have been fine for 5 years"... Sounds like it's just a matter of time.) Then during some browsing last night, I came across Neon Gobies, and some people say they do the same thing. I absolutely love flame hawks. They're actually the fish that initially got me interested in switching my FW to saltwater. Their personality is great, I remember coming home from the fish store that evening and telling my soon-to-be wife "now THAT is a fish you name!" (I don't really name my cichlids). I hear cleaner wrasses often die and don't adapt to aquarium life, so I'm not going to go that route. So, do neon gobies give the same interesting display and perform the same task as cleaner shrimp? Also, do all cleaner shrimp perform this routine? I'd be disappointed if I didn't add a flame hawk and then the cleaner shrimp didn't even do what i was hoping to see.

05/12/2014, 03:56 PM	#3
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	I've had 2 neon gobies in the tank for about a couple of months, they only come out at feeding time then back in the rocks. Didn't get them for a cleaning station but for looks and bit of a bust considering how much they hide. Had a cleaner shrimp before, only seen on the fish a few times but would always go after my hand when in the tank. Least they stay in view but you might be disappointed if you're only getting for the cleaning activities. __________________ . Current Tank Info: 145g Starfire display (mixed reef) w/75g basement sump & 20g refugium, Barracuda return, Dart w/OM 4way CL, AI Hydras and Director.

05/12/2014, 05:45 PM	#4
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	they are nice fish, but relatively short lived. Neither neon gobies or cleaner shrimp have value at preventing or eliminating parasites (at least not the kind you would encounter in aquaria). __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

05/12/2014, 08:13 PM	#5
devimik Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: KC, KS Posts: 637	Never had Neon Gobies, but have had cleaner shrimp. The only fish that would let it "clean" was my Lawnmower Blenny. No other fish would allow it to get near. As Steve said above, neither provide any cleaning that is of any real value other than something interesting to watch. __________________ Mike D Coral Beauty, Green Filefish, One Spot Foxface, Springeri Dottyback, 2 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Watchman Goby, Flame Hawkfish, Spotted Mandarin Current Tank Info: 90g Softie Reef, 150# live rock, 30g sump w/refugium, Tunze Osmolator 3155 ATO, Octopus NWB 150 Skimmer, Mag 950 return, Maxspect 120w Razor 10K LED light X2, BRS Phosphate Reactor; Apex Lite

05/12/2014, 09:06 PM	#7
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	my experience, neither __________________ . Current Tank Info: 145g Starfire display (mixed reef) w/75g basement sump & 20g refugium, Barracuda return, Dart w/OM 4way CL, AI Hydras and Director.

05/12/2014, 03:40 PM	#2
DrBoxedWine Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 899	bump! Anyone out there with experience in this?

05/12/2014, 08:37 PM	#6
DrBoxedWine Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 899	Thanks everyone. Does anyone have any thoughts as to who puts on more of a cleaning show?

05/12/2014, 09:29 PM	#8
Spork3245 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South Central New Jersey Posts: 1,088	I've owned two neon cleaner gobies so far, while they are short lived each one has had the biggest personality in the tank and is virtually always out. They also actively clean my other fish, I see it happen daily. My first one died after a lifespan of about a year (which, unfortunately is about average), I bought my next about a week later as the first was my favorite fish, by far. I honestly think that I will always keep cleaner gobies in my tank now. I'm willing to bet that the poster who claimed that their cleaner gobies are always hiding has two males, two females or an unmated pair - which, like with most fish, is a no-no. Either keep one at a time or a mated pair, two of the same sex will not tolerate each other.

05/13/2014, 06:39 AM	#9
coverdog Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SW Fl. Posts: 189	My skunk cleaner shrimp cleans my tang and bi-color blennie. I saw him briefly clean a clown also once. He'll get right on the tang and ride him while cleaning. I only catch him doing this occasionally, so it's not a everyday thing to see. He tries to clean all the fish but they don't cooperate, at least while I'm watching.

05/13/2014, 12:05 PM	#11
Nina51 biggliest cofveve champ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: 5th floor, Illinois, gewgaw expert Posts: 3,506	i have a skunk cleaner and about the only thing he's good for is scavenging. he has a cleaning station but rarely do i see any fish go near it. i also have 2 long nose hawkfish in the same tank (75g). neither has ever paid attention to the shrimp. i think flame hawks are more prone to go after bigger shrimp like cleaners. how about just forgetting the shrimp all together and go ahead and getting your flame hawk? hawkfish have SOOOO much personality!!! __________________ of all the things i've lost, i miss my gary the most. Never hold your farts in. They travel up your spine into your brain, and that is where crappy ideas come from. Current Tank Info: i gave my reef away and i feel like a bird out of a cage!!

05/13/2014, 02:48 PM	#12
jerseygurl Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 329	I love cleaner shrimp, total 100% entertainment to watch. I've had three in my tank forever, Larry, Moe, and Curley. One has a little tunnel cleaning station that the fish swim through for a regular cleaning.

05/14/2014, 01:39 PM	#13
DrBoxedWine Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 899	Thanks everyone. Still not sure what i'm going to do! I might have to go check out a few cleaner shrimp in person, and maybe see what the Mrs. thinks and if she has a preference. I'm thinking at this point i might add a few larger shrimp and then add a small flamehawk down the road. If he eats them, that'd be a bummer, but i might just give it a shot. Then i can try both. Hopefully the flamehawk doesn't scare them in to hiding all the time.

05/14/2014, 01:57 PM	#14
jerseygurl Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 329	I guarantee you the Ms. will love a cleaner shrimp. IMO you can't really appreciate how cool they are in the LFS, but once you get them in your tank they are tons of fun to watch.

05/14/2014, 02:24 PM	#15
DrBoxedWine Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 899	Thanks jerseygurl. It seems like they're hit or miss with some people loving them and others feeling they don't do much for them. Things to consider....