Anemone Shrimp Eating Anemone

[_Mitch_]

On saturday (10/22/11) I purchased a White Spot Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) at a LFS. At the store they told me it was feeding fine and would do well in my tank. It was hosting a Maxi Mini Anemone at the store.

I brought it home and acclimated it slowly then released it onto the Anemone. The shrimp swam away and returned to the Anemone (a RBTA) about 15 minutes later and has been there for the entire time.

Yesterday I noticed that one of the Anemomes tentacles was missing but did not think much of it. I attempted to feed the shrimp yesterday but it refused to eat anything. Today I actually witnessed the shrimp eating one of the tentacles. There are 8 missing tentacles that I can see and the inside of the shrimp is bright red, which clearly shows it has been eating the Anemone.

I really have no clue what to do. I was able to shoo the shrimp away from the Anemone, and now I cannot find it. Does anyone know what is going on? From my research I have found no recorded cases of this happening. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[_Mitch_]

How come I see so many people viewing my threads, but nobody ever posts in them? Is this forum more about showing stuff off, or do people exchange advice like on other forums?

 

[skinpuppi]

People usually don't post unless they have "good" info to pass on. since this has never happened to my, I can only tell you what I would do if it were my tank.

I would put out a fish trap until I caught the shrimp and then get rid of it, put it in a tank with no anemone or put it in my fuge.

 

[OrionN]

I got the Sexy anemone shrimps (Thor amboinensis). They are doing great and does not bother my Magnifica, Haddoni or my Maxi Mini. Certainly my shrimp do not bother or eat the anemone. Sorry I can't help you here

 

[_Mitch_]

People usually don't post unless they have "good" info to pass on. since this has never happened to my, I can only tell you what I would do if it were my tank.

I would put out a fish trap until I caught the shrimp and then get rid of it, put it in a tank with no anemone or put it in my fuge.

Good to know. I moved the shrimp to some Ricordeas which it is hosting for now. I'm hoping it'll be fine there.

 

[bhotep]

yup, my new anemone shrimp did the same to my bubble tip. Off he went to a buddies tank!

 

[Channing]

This happens in the wild with shrimp that are natural symbionts of certain species of anemones. Keep trying to feed your shrimp, because food availability is a factor in shrimp eating anemones. We have a spotted cleaner shrimp with our corkscrew anemones and they do fine with them.

 

[miniwhinny]

My anemone shrimp does the same thing. He nom noms on his maxi's all the time - prefers them to other food !!!!

Funny thing is the maxi's don't seem to mind it. They don't close up or even look irritated when he grabs a tentacle. He's been with them for about 9 months, rotates which he's living in, and the nems are all very healthy and thriving. I'm wondering if there's something in the nem that he needs in his diet.

?