Can't Keep More Than One Peppermint Shrimp

[Pigpen17]

So, as it said, I can't seem to have more than one Peppermint Shrimp in my 56gallon tank. I have added three, at different times, to help handle some nuisance Glass Anemone. I found one dead, and the other is missing for quite a while. I fear the worst. So do they kill each other? or is it someone else?

Livestock:

• Midas Blenny
• 2 Vanderbilt Chromis
• Red Elongated Dottyback <- Was found at the scene of the crime eating the shrimps body.
• Black Barred Circus Goby
• Skunk Cleaner Shrimp <- Main Suspect
• Porcelain Crab
• Serpent Star
• 1 Peppermint Shrimp <-hmmmmmmm

 

[Grkgod36]

Hm idk, I have two of them , and a skunk cleaners and a blood red shrimp in my 90 and they are model citizens , with skunk being the more active and social .

 

[dana_ag]

Dottybacks can be very aggressive, but peppermint shrimp are also quite delicate and sensitive to changes in salinity, so try to ensure as much stability in the water quality and salinity as possible. Hope that helps.

 

[Pigpen17]

Dottybacks can be very aggressive, but peppermint shrimp are also quite delicate and sensitive to changes in salinity, so try to ensure as much stability in the water quality and salinity as possible. Hope that helps.

Thanks,

I feel like my water quality is good. Every time I test, I'm within 0.001. I don't have an ATO yet, but I do top off about every other day. No ammonia and almost undetectable Nitrates. My ALK drops like crazy sometimes. Not sure why that is. I try to keep it around 9. I test every Saturday and I'm always around 8.5 or 9+ and I add buffer when needed, but then all of a sudden I'll be down to 7 out of the blue.

The Red Elongated Dottyback is supposedly a more peaceful Dotty, and so far that has been true. It bullied my Chromis when I added them, but after a day, they are best buds. I have never seen it bully a shrimp either, but you never know.

 

[izza1125]

I have 4 in my 65 Gallon. During the day they usually hang out behind the rockwork. Sometimes they won't even come out for feeding. But they are active as hell when the lights go out. Check your tank in the middle of the night.

 

[Pigpen17]

I have 4 in my 65 Gallon. During the day they usually hang out behind the rockwork. Sometimes they won't even come out for feeding. But they are active as hell when the lights go out. Check your tank in the middle of the night.

I'll try that. I know at least one is dead. I want to replace it, but not if they are just going to keep getting killed.

 

[uncleL]

I would add an ATO to your tank along with adding a little kalkwasser to your Reservoir. Oh and yes my crazy shrimp were killing each other Coral band I had two now only one

 

[uncleL]

I have a coral banded shrimp and a skunk cleaner shrimp all my tanks

 

[tzylak]

I got 3 of them. Soon only one was left.
One does a fine job on eating the aiptasia.
Sometimes I don't see him for a week, but he is there.
I don't think that he feels lonely with no more of his own.
At night he is all over the reef.

 

[Pigpen17]

Well, maybe Ill try again. I'll look around after lights out and see if I can find the second one. If not, I'll buy two more. So far they have not made a dent in my Glass Anemone population, but these little anemones are insane to get rid of.

I still suspect the Skunk Cleaner Shrimp. It seems the most annoyed with them. Maybe there is too much bottom feeding competition.

 

[Pigpen17]

I did find the second shrimp. Figures. I don't see it for weeks, and then as soon as I post here, he comes right out! So maybe we are just talking about 1 dead shrimp. It happens. Or maybe these two are male/female? and the male didn't want any other males in the tank? The two survivors sure are buddy/buddy. They've been living in the same cave.
Regardless, I will replace the one I lost.


Thanks for the help everyone. Death to nuisance glass anemone!