lysmata picking on crocea

[fishdoc11]

Hey Everyone,
I purchased a crocea a couple of days ago and noticed last night that my scarlet cleaner was picking at him after the lights went out(I gave him a piece of shrimp to keep him occupied for the moment). I have had a deresa in the tank for several months with no problems but had several clams die slowly over a period of about 6 weeks in the past. I had written the earlier clam deaths off to one of my lfs's acclimation procedures. Now it seems I might have another possibility. Do any of you keep scarlet cleaners with clams? I also have a peppermint in the tank and was wondering if he could be trusted also. The shrimp have been in the tank about 2 yrs. Removing them will not be a problem, I can just put them in my 55.
thanks, Chris

 

[Reefcherie]

I have multiple peppermint shrimp, standard cleaner shrimp and scarlet shrimp in a tank with clams and have never had a problem. When you say "picking at" the clam at night, can you be more specific? Is it picking at the mantle, possibly going after some of the mucus that is often associated with clams, picking at the shell or what? Have you seen this happen multiple times or just that one time?

Cheri

 

[fishdoc11]

He positioned himself on top of the clam and was picking at the actual mantle causing the clam to retract. I could'nt tell if he was picking at mucus or the mantle itself. I have made a point to hand feed both shrimp every other day or so since and I have'nt seen the scarlet touch him again. It seemed to me more like a behavior that would damage the clam from stress than from actual physical damage. Kind of like how something will sometimes pick at a clam repeatedly and cause it to stay retracted therefore stressing the animal. He looks fine though so I'll just wait and see. It's good to hear of someone else keeping the two without problems.
thanks, Chris

 

[sreefs]

I had to remove my peppermint shrimp from the tank I have clams in. They would not leave my one crocea alone. They picked at the mantel constantly.

 

[fishdoc11]

I thought this thread was dead! Thanks for your reply sreefs. The scarlet hasn't bothered either clam for a while but I still keep a close eye on him.
Chris

 

[Mkman]

Hey, I have Julian Sprungs book "Invertebrates" - A quick reference Guide and it states that they are HARMFUL to small tricadnid clams. If your clam is small, the cleaner may be harmful to it.

 

[fishdoc11]

Thanks,
I have that book also.
Chris