is my blood shrimp in danger?

[teena]

I just put a orange shouldertang in my tank & it bothers my shrimp all the time.

 

[TippyToeX]

It certainly sounds like it's in trouble. Is the tang picking/biting at it?

 

[teena]

well hes not realy biting he just stays right up on him. like he dont want him 2 go anywhere. the shrimp looks like hes scratching his back & the tangs liking it.

 

[TippyToeX]

Ahhh.. the shrimp is cleaning him. That's a great thing. The Tang is just begging for it is all.

 

[teena]

Thats funny, I didnt think i would get u back. u got back with me lastnight. & i all ready loged off. but Im glad I did. whats going 2 happing 2 him my tank is only a 55g?

 

[TippyToeX]

You mean what is going to happen to the shrimp in a 55g? Not sure what the concern might be. If he is just cleaning the tang there should be no problems.

 

[teena]

no, the tang I just got him & they say he needs at least a 125g to grow.

 

[TippyToeX]

At the very least a 125 would be needed. They are large animals when fully grown. Have a look at fishbase.org for more info on the full size of yours.

If he were to stay in the 55g his growth would stunt and his life will be cut off prematurely. Not a nice way to die IMHO.

 

[teena]

but they didnt tell me when I got him, he needed a big tank, will he die?

 

[TippyToeX]

Most LFS don't bother to inform the person who is there to buy the livestock. They leave it up to you to be well educated and know to research the animal before you buy it. That's not a bad thing too. There are so many books out there to have so that you know what you are getting into before you buy the fish or coral.

Like I said above, if you keep the tang in there to the point that his growth is stunted and he is not given the room he needs it will cause his death.

 

[teena]

do u think they would trade it 4 something elese? Ive just had him a week.

 

[TippyToeX]

I'm sure if you explain to them that you had no idea the tang would get that large and want to be sure he goes to a more appropriate tank they would be understanding. At least I hope they would be. No harm in asking!

 

[teena]

thanks, Ill try that. if I had a ? about that purple stuff I have on the back of my glass, should i start a new thread?

 

[TippyToeX]

Sure, a new thread would be a good idea.

 

[teena]

ok thanks.