cleaner shrimp unnoticed

[gio28]

i was just wondering if it is normal for fish to ignore a cleaner shrimp before they realize what they can benefit from them...i added one to my tank a few days ago and it is out and about trying really hard to clean my fish when they swim by but my fish just pass right by it.

 

[Tangalong]

Usually takes them a few days to "get in the swing of things" and set up a cleaning station in a good place and "do the dance" that fish recognize as "come and get cleaned". Just give it some time. They have to learn too. At least this has been my experience with them. I've even had one cleaner show another cleaner "how to". lol. They are just about the neatest things in the tank. Have fun.

 

[gio28]

my shrimp tries to jump on the fish because he is desperate now lol. But he isnt attracting them at all...so he needs to figure that out himself. and is mysis shrimp and leftover flake food from feeding fine for him to eat?

 

[snorvich]

Some fish, such as clown fish, do not like being cleaned and will not allow this to happen. By the way, cleaners don't control parasites, that is a myth.

 

[gio28]

oh i have a clown but he dosent like it i think cause the shrimp goes near is precious anemone that he is really protective of lol. will chromis like to be cleaned..i have 3 of them and a blenny

 

[snorvich]

It has been a long time since I had chromis, but my recollection is that they don't like to be cleaned by shrimp. I also don't think that Blennys like to be cleaned. Butterfly and angelfish definitely do.

 

[EllieSuz]

My Starry Blenny is the only fish in the tank that submits to cleaning. The shrimp actually rocks the Blenny's body he uses so much force. It's most entertaining to watch it clean inside the Blenny's mouth.