Which to keep

nwnugget · 10/04/2012, 12:45 PM

I have two peppermint shrimp in my tank. They have been in there since I set it up. They crawl on my hand when I have maintenance to do or coral to move. They eat well and I imagine they do their part to keep me aiptasia free and eat any excess food.

However, last night I was very excited to get a two-head frag of golden torch coral. It will be my first truly flowing piece. The color is just awesome and I am very excited about this coral. I acclimated it while I was watching a movie and was all ready to plant it on my rocks. I picked out a nice secure location and stuck the base of the coral into my rocks. Snug. Very proud of myself I was drying my hands and admiring the new coral. Along comes Mr. Peppermint.

The shrimp proceeds to start SHREDDING the torch. He ripped about three arms clean out and started eating them before I could get my hands in the tank to shoo him away. I saved the coral by placing it in a piece of clear plasticware with small holes in it for water circulation.

The question is: keep the shrimp because they do an amazing job of aquarium clean-up, are active, have been in the system for a long time, and my girlfriend loves them, or get rid of the shrimp so I can have this beautiful piece of torch coral.

Short version: two peppermint shrimp versus one torch coral. Which stays?

Led Bizkit · 10/04/2012, 12:50 PM

Torch!!! lol

I would trade the Peps in for Cleaner shrimp

nwnugget · 10/04/2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Led Bizkit

Torch!!! lol

I would trade the Peps in for Cleaner shrimp

I really do like the torch frag. Awesome color. I was thinking sexy shrimp. But the ones I have seen are so tiny.

chrisfont23 · 10/04/2012, 02:46 PM

Torch corals are awesome! I love mine and how it flows in the gentle breeze.

Zappo · 10/04/2012, 03:19 PM

Lose the shrimp. Aiptasia can easily be controlled with kalk paste or aiptasia-x if it ever turns up. Until you get the shrimp out, you can use a clean cup or bowl to protect the coral.

staindsoul · 10/04/2012, 05:29 PM

I had one start ripping Xenia apart. I'd go with the torch.

Sidenote: Warning, don't leave your shrimp trap unattended very long if you are going to get rid of it and you have fish. Don't ask me how I know. I'm still not talking about it.

nwnugget · 10/04/2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisfont23

Torch corals are awesome! I love mine and how it flows in the gentle breeze.

Wow man, your corals arms look super long. Very nice.

nwnugget · 10/04/2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zappo

Lose the shrimp. Aiptasia can easily be controlled with kalk paste or aiptasia-x if it ever turns up. Until you get the shrimp out, you can use a clean cup or bowl to protect the coral.

Aiptasia-x works well in my experience. The infestation got to a point that I couldn't reach some of the critters to dose them.

The torch is currently living comfortably in a clear plastic bowl with small holes in it floating and anchored in the tank. Safe until I remove the shrimp.

10/04/2012, 12:45 PM	#1
nwnugget Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: FL Posts: 54	Which to keep I have two peppermint shrimp in my tank. They have been in there since I set it up. They crawl on my hand when I have maintenance to do or coral to move. They eat well and I imagine they do their part to keep me aiptasia free and eat any excess food. However, last night I was very excited to get a two-head frag of golden torch coral. It will be my first truly flowing piece. The color is just awesome and I am very excited about this coral. I acclimated it while I was watching a movie and was all ready to plant it on my rocks. I picked out a nice secure location and stuck the base of the coral into my rocks. Snug. Very proud of myself I was drying my hands and admiring the new coral. Along comes Mr. Peppermint. The shrimp proceeds to start SHREDDING the torch. He ripped about three arms clean out and started eating them before I could get my hands in the tank to shoo him away. I saved the coral by placing it in a piece of clear plasticware with small holes in it for water circulation. The question is: keep the shrimp because they do an amazing job of aquarium clean-up, are active, have been in the system for a long time, and my girlfriend loves them, or get rid of the shrimp so I can have this beautiful piece of torch coral. Short version: two peppermint shrimp versus one torch coral. Which stays?

10/04/2012, 05:29 PM	#6
staindsoul Calvin for President Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: R'VA Posts: 509	I had one start ripping Xenia apart. I'd go with the torch. Sidenote: Warning, don't leave your shrimp trap unattended very long if you are going to get rid of it and you have fish. Don't ask me how I know. I'm still not talking about it. __________________ Mitchell-60g, 2-A150W 10ks, 2-Hydor 425s, 1-240, 20gL sump/refugium “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm” – Winston Churchill

10/04/2012, 12:50 PM	#2
Led Bizkit Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 124	Torch!!! lol I would trade the Peps in for Cleaner shrimp

10/04/2012, 02:46 PM	#4
chrisfont23 Reef Monster Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,343	Torch corals are awesome! I love mine and how it flows in the gentle breeze.

10/04/2012, 03:19 PM	#5
Zappo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnetonka, MN Posts: 582	Lose the shrimp. Aiptasia can easily be controlled with kalk paste or aiptasia-x if it ever turns up. Until you get the shrimp out, you can use a clean cup or bowl to protect the coral.