cleaner shrimp and BTA

[debbiedebs]

Anyone know about cleaner shrimps and their possible relationship with anemones? I have 2 BTA anemones of diff colors and the shrimp loves to get on it and clean or eat or something. Should I be weary? In all my history, this is the first I've seen this.

 

[stykthyn]

sounds normal, BTA's have a mild sting so many animals can come in contact and not suffer too badly.

 

[dantodd]

you should be weary. Shrimp can steal food from your anemone and have even been known to dig right into their mouths doing damage. Keep an eye on the shrimp and keep them well fed.

 

[IslandCrow]

Yeah, that's pretty much my cleaner shrimp's relationship with my anemone and any of the corals I spot feed. . .he's a no good thief! Fortunately, my clown keeps the cleaner away from the anemone. The only thing I ever really worry about is the shrimp actually pulling food out of the anemone's mouth and possibly damaging it. Of course, my clown does that as well, so I always feed the rest of the tank just before I feed my anemone to keep everyone else busy while the anemone is left alone to eat his meal.

 

[boggins]

I do the same thing as IslandCrow - I feed the rest of the tank, and then feed my 2 BTA's.... I feed the fish and 3 shrimp (2 cleaners and a fire) a blended up mix of misc frozen cubes, and after most of this has been eaten, then I feed the 2 BTA's a chunk of thawed shrimp or squid.

I usually will even slice off a thin, small section of the shrimp or squid - which has been thoroughly thawed in the tank water - and give it to the shrimp to "keep 'em busy"........ If I do not, they will aggressively go into the BTA's after the food - even diving fully into their mouths and stealing.

 

[MyMonkey]

Same here. I have one HUGE cleaner shrimp. Bigger than either of my clowns. He is fairly aggressive too. It will steal food from anything I feed, brain, anemone etc. I cut the top off of a 2 liter bottle and I feed the anemone then place this above the anemone keeping the clowns and shrimp away for a bit. Works fairly well.

 

[NCreefwannabe]

I watched my cousins cleaner shrimp go to steal food from his rbta.... He got what he deserved, the rbta mistook him for dinner. Needless to say, no more cleaner shrimp.