cleaner shrimp and clam

[shinny]

I just got an order of 3 clams. I acclimated them and put them in the tank and they looked great. I woke up in the morning and my cleaner shrimp was picking at one of the clams. I put a cage around the clams made out of egg crate. The clam is retracted into its shell and is opened very wide. I was wondering if there is a way to keep the cleaner away from the clam without having the cage. Has anyone had an experience like this? Can a cleaner get used to the clam and not bother it? Thanks.

 

[Snprhed]

Not in my experience. You can try feeding the shrimp but I have never seen that actually work. I think you might have to decide which one you like best.

 

[mbbuna]

if the clam is sick or not the healthiest in any way the shrimp will be one of the first to know

 

[BrentH]

i have four cleaner shrimp with my clam and have never had a problem i have had the clam for 3 months

 

[hogpark7430]

I have had CS and Clams for years with no problems

 

[glxtrix]

perhaps the cs is catchin the drift of a sick clam hope everything works out for you.

 

[Johnsteph10]

ditto - a cleaner will not mess with healthy clams.

 

[Snprhed]

I don't agree, I've had healthy clams that a cleaner just wouldn't quite pestering.

 

[dominga]

Cleaner shrimps detect damage tissue, maybe will look in good condition, but they can easily sense when the tissue of clams or any coral is in bad condition.Hence the name cleaner shrimp.
Shrimps are good animals to have, they will alert you when something is going wrong, so you can take care of the problem before it gets worse.
Good luck.