How to Keep Shrimp from Eating LTA's food

[jorecacope]

We just got a LTA a few days ago and I can't seem to get him fed without the shrimp taking everything I give him. I stand there and shoo them away for 10-15 mins, but yesterday I came back after about half an hour and a cleaner shrimp was literally dancing around on the LTA and got the silverside out! Does it normally take the LTAs that long to eat, or should I be feeding him something else? I also tried feeding him mysis shrimp with a turkey baster, and lots of them stuck, but I still saw them on his tentacles and the shrimp going after them still half an hour later... I'm really not sure he's gotten any food in the few days we have had him so far and he doesn't really look very happy (some tentacles shriveling up, seeming to close up some in his base). My BTA is much smaller than he is and eats so much faster, and his anemone crab fends off anyone who tries to steal his food, so this is new to me and I don't want to starve the LTA!

 

[Swayze27]

Probably needs a little time to settle in before feeding it. They also require a very deep sand bed to settle 4+ inches if not more. I bought one without researching appropriately and mine never settled resulting in having to remove it. A healthy anemone will normally hold onto food no matter what is trying to take it away.

 

[humphreyhh]

I guard my lta when feeding. My clown dont care if the nem is eating but my cleanershrimp is always ready to take food from the nem. Anemones don't need much feeding though. Let it settle for a couple of weeks if it's a new one.

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[ponokareefer]

Get rid of the shrimp, LOL. This is one of the exact reasons I no longer carry shrimp. Along with taking food from anemones, they will steal it from corals.

 

[jorecacope]

Thank you all. He still hasn't found somewhere he wants to attach and spends most of his time all shriveled up looking. My clowns don't want anything to do with him, but the BTA's anemone crab has taken up residence in the LTA now. I'll try getting him to attach in a corner of the tank or something and not stress about him not eating until he's attached.

And I can't get rid of my shrimp! They're my favorite part of my tank. So social and fun

 

[lewsss]

One thing I learnt with shrimps is to give them a pellet each. keeps them entertained for 5 mins or so then top them back up lol