Coral Banded Shrimp

[Foody]

I bought a small Coral Banded Shrimp from a LFS today. He was perfect when I bought him. When I got him home to place him in his new home I noticed that he was missing one of his pincer claws, the right, smaller one. At first I was going to call the LFS and complain but then I found the pincer in the bag with the water that he came in.

Is he ok? Will he regenerate this pincer? Also, I have a 6" Deresa clam in my tank. Is he at risk? I asked the LFS what to feed him (I recently read in a previous thread that a well-fed CBS was less likely to be aggressive and predatory) and was told that he was basically a cleaner or scavenger. Thoughts? What to feed? How often to feed?

Thank you and blessings. BTW, someone in Rochester's Craigslist is selling a beautiful 75gal tank with cherry stand for $180. Looked like a steal. If I had room for it I would LOVE to have it.

 

[magdelan]

Yes, his pincer will grow back. It is fairly common for this to happen when they get stressed out.

Also, with regard to your clam, the shrimp will leave it alone unless the clam already has an issue, ie, pinched mantle. CBS are like any other scavenger... opportunists.

 

[emm0909]

Everything will grow back. I have moved CBS several times and can't tell you how often I'm too rough on them and they drop both claws. I have often seen them molt shortly after being introduced to a new home so expect that.

I wouldn't bother feeding him if you've got fish that your feeding. Scavengers are in the tank to scavenge the extra food that the fish and coral miss.

 

[BuffaloReef]

After reading this thread I wouldn't trust a Coral Banded Shrimp with small children! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2194290

As for the appendage, it'll grow back. Shrimp, crabs, lobsters etcetera can regenerate lost limbs. It's a very cool ability. They only grow when molting though, so you'll see it grow in waves. You'll also find the old shells around and think your shrimp died the first couple times.

I think your clam will be fine. If you have other, smaller shrimp or small fish that it can grab they might disappear. You're always taking a chance introducing anything with claws.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I wouldn't trust small children with my coral banded shrimp!

Even though they look menacing those shrimps are wimps

 

[Foody]

Cool

Cool

Today I noted an exoskeleton floating around the tank so I went looking for my CBS. Sure enough, there he was in all of his glory, 2 pincers intact. How cool is that?!? I'm befuddled as to how simply molting allows him to have a brand new, 2 inch long pincer. Where was it before he molted? This is exactly why I love this hobby. I am absolutely fascinated by all of GOD's creatures and their little idiosyncrasies.

 

[BuffaloReef]

They "grow" between molts. One of the reasons it's fun to get a juvenile. It's like they double in size overnight.