Do puesdochromis eat peppermint shrimp?

[Weboh]

Yesterday, I got a peppermint shrimp to help my aptasia problem. After I introduced him to my tank, I saw my puesdochromis chase him around. I assumed he just didn't want the shrimp hiding in his spot in the rockwork (though he doesn't seem to bother the cleaner shrimp). Last night, I saw what looked like shrimp remains lying on the ground, and the puesdochromis was picking at it.

Now the stuff he was picking at is gone and I can't find the shrimp anywhere. I know peppermint shrimp like to hide, and I know shrimp shed their skeleton every now and then. Is it possible the shrimp just happened to shed his skeleton right after he was introduced and he's just hiding? Or do you think he's done for and I should get another one?

On a related note, is it normal for a properly acclimated feather duster to drop its crown the day after being introduced? Or does that sound like the work of a peppermint shrimp (yes, a real, aptasia eating one; the guy at my LFS made sure)? Neither shrimp seems to be eating the crown.

Thanks for all you're help with everything so far, guys. You've made this a lot easier.

 

[AlSimmons]

IMO the Pseudochromis probably killed the shrimp, but going into hiding right off the bat and shedding is not uncommon either. If you haven't already you might want to fish out the remains. You should be able to tell right away whether it's a molt or a dead body once you touch it. As far as the feather duster goes I don't really have much experience with these, but the link below might help.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/8/inverts

 

[nereefpat]

What kind of pseudochromis/dottyback?

 

[Weboh]

What kind of pseudochromis/dottyback?

Neon. Pseudochromis aldabraensis.

 

[nereefpat]

I guess I wouldn't be too surprised either, especially if the neon is near full-size (3-4")...Aggressive little buggers.

 

[Fiver]

I have no experience with the neon. I wouldn't be surprised if it did kill the shrimp, but for whatever it's worth, I'll say that although my orchid dottyback chases creatures around (other fish, shrimp, etc.), it has never killed anything that I know of.

Many other things could have killed your shrimp. My brittle star quietly stalked my last peppermint shrimp and killed it at night.

 

[Weboh]

I guess I wouldn't be too surprised either, especially if the neon is near full-size (3-4")...Aggressive little buggers.

Yeah, he's about 4 inches long.

I have no experience with the neon. I wouldn't be surprised if it did kill the shrimp, but for whatever it's worth, I'll say that although my orchid dottyback chases creatures around (other fish, shrimp, etc.), it has never killed anything that I know of.

He does have fun bullying my goby. I've never seen him actually try to take a bite out of anyone though. I do feed them frozen shrimp occasionally though, so maybe he just developed a taste for them?

Do you think this will be a continual problem if I try to put a peppermint shrimp in here, or do you think he was only vulnerable because he was newly introduced? I guess I could always introduce some live feeder shrimp along with the next one...

 

[zooman72]

Yeah, he's about 4 inches long.

He does have fun bullying my goby. I've never seen him actually try to take a bite out of anyone though. I do feed them frozen shrimp occasionally though, so maybe he just developed a taste for them?

Do you think this will be a continual problem if I try to put a peppermint shrimp in here, or do you think he was only vulnerable because he was newly introduced? I guess I could always introduce some live feeder shrimp along with the next one...

Well, that species is known for its aggression once established and mature, and they are also known to attack, kill, and consume various shrimps (as are other pseudochromis species), as well as bristleworms (not sure if that is an issue or not). Chances are it will continue this behavior, so you might have to accept a shrimpless aquarium... :uhoh2:

Gorgeous fish though - tempted to try one of the ORA captive-bred ones in the future, as has been mentioned that they are a tad bit less aggressive.

 

[Weboh]

Well, that species is known for its aggression once established and mature, and they are also known to attack, kill, and consume various shrimps (as are other pseudochromis species), as well as bristleworms (not sure if that is an issue or not). Chances are it will continue this behavior, so you might have to accept a shrimpless aquarium... :uhoh2:

Gorgeous fish though - tempted to try one of the ORA captive-bred ones in the future, as has been mentioned that they are a tad bit less aggressive.

If that's the case, how can I combat my aptasia problem? I've been nuking every one I see with vinegar, but more just keep on popping up. Looking closely, I can see probably a dozen now and I see this as a battle I can't win with chemicals--hence my wanting to just get something that eats it. As I understand it, in a tank this size, really the only option I have is peppermint shrimp.

 

[alton]

I added a neon once and after a couple days I noticed my cleaner shrimp was dead. Added another and the next day he died. When adding a third I noticed after an hour he was missing an eye, and then I saw it the neon came up and plucked his other eye out. Never ate it, never even took a bite or pecked on it just plucked the eyes. Took him back to the LFS. These guys are not nice like their cousins

 

[zooman72]

If that's the case, how can I combat my aptasia problem? I've been nuking every one I see with vinegar, but more just keep on popping up. Looking closely, I can see probably a dozen now and I see this as a battle I can't win with chemicals--hence my wanting to just get something that eats it. As I understand it, in a tank this size, really the only option I have is peppermint shrimp.

I too have used peppermint shrimp in smaller tanks to rid them of aiptasia, but that will not be an option here obviously now. Other than hand treatment with chemicals (which is much easier in smaller tanks), your only other option may be aiptasia-eating nudibranchs, if you can find them.

You might also want to try something other than vinegar, but I don't have any concoctions to recommend as I haven't used any of them myself...

 

[AlSimmons]

If that's the case, how can I combat my aptasia problem? I've been nuking every one I see with vinegar, but more just keep on popping up. Looking closely, I can see probably a dozen now and I see this as a battle I can't win with chemicals--hence my wanting to just get something that eats it. As I understand it, in a tank this size, really the only option I have is peppermint shrimp.

If the rocks that the Aiptasia are on can be easily removed you could just burn them off with a cigarette lighter. This only takes a few seconds to do. The rock will get a little scorched, but this usually rubs right off with a little water. Another option is to smother them with some epoxy. This usually only works if the Aiptasia is anchored in a crack or a hole though. It's amazing how these things can wiggle their way out of a tight space. Good luck!