Mystery Wrasse eat shrimp & fish!

[jetboatjoe]

I have a mystery wrasse about 2.5" that I believe is the culprate of the 3 large missing cleaner shrimp, & the latest is a missing cleaner wrasse! Feed myhis/brine every other day, & nori in between. Eats both. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[LukFox]

Eating shrimp is normal and they're known for being aggressive towards other fish, particularly other wrasses, so yes, this is all normal. It's interesting that it went after large cleaners while it is still small, but I'm not really surprised. You should try feeding more frequently, but that's not going to help with aggression all that much. It may have saved the shrimp for a while, though.

 

[jetboatjoe]

The last one he ate was as big as him! He also ate that morning! From what I've read, they are always hungry!!

 

[LukFox]

Well they usually always pick around the rocks, but I can see it getting desperate if it only eats every other day. It could easily be killing the shrimp and then all the other fish dig in with it. Don't expect it to eat the whole thing.

 

[GoingPostal]

Basic research on this fish should have told you they eat shrimp. It's not surprising at all. However you said they were missing, did you see him going after them? I can't see it eating an entire large cleaner at that size.

 

[jetboatjoe]

So you feed every day? They get nori on opposite day. No I didn't catch him in the act, never had one go missing before. I new it was a 50/50 chance he would eat the shrimp. I'm more concerned that the cleaner wrasse I put in tank today is already missing!!! Was 2.5", but thinner than mystery! Ever had that problem?

 

[wickedfish]

So you feed every day? They get nori on opposite day. No I didn't catch him in the act, never had one go missing before. I new it was a 50/50 chance he would eat the shrimp. I'm more concerned that the cleaner wrasse I put in tank today is already missing!!! Was 2.5", but thinner than mystery! Ever had that problem?

Nope, it didnt eat the cleaner. im 100 percent sure about that. I have a pair that i received when it was 2 inches an 1 in a half. now there 3 inches and 2 in a half i would say. But te shrrimp yes. Do your research. I have a thread on my mystery wrasse somewhere on hhere. i Have never had a problem ith them. I hve them in there with a a tusk and p.tang and 3 cleaners.

 

[sanchoy]

wrasse will be wrasse.

 

[WuHT]

perhaps the shrimp died on its own and the wrasse decided not to waste the body.

Either that or it didnt molt properly or something

 

[jetboatjoe]

Wickedfish, I'm not buying that. Never had one go missing before. Maybe yours haven't eaten shrimp. I think some may not go after them, & some do..Two of the shrimp have been in my tank over 1.5, molted on regular bases. The last one I put in was as big as him, next morning I couldn't find him or any parts, & mystery had a large belly! I think some may not go after them, & some do. I'm fine with the fact about he's eaten the shrimp, but still can't find the cleaner wrasse I put in tank yesterday! Concernd he ate him too! Anyone heard of that?

 

[GoingPostal]

If you just added the cleaner he very well might be hiding, they sometimes take a day or two to come out. Or it could have died.

 

[LukFox]

As I was saying before, mystery wrasses are known for beating up on other fish, especially other wrasses. I think it's quite possible it killed the cleaner wrasse, and just because it killed it does not mean it killed the cleaner for food. The cleaner may be somewhere rotting in your rocks or eaten by your clean up crew.

 

[wickedfish]

Wickedfish, I'm not buying that. Never had one go missing before. Maybe yours haven't eaten shrimp. I think some may not go after them, & some do..Two of the shrimp have been in my tank over 1.5, molted on regular bases. The last one I put in was as big as him, next morning I couldn't find him or any parts, & mystery had a large belly! I think some may not go after them, & some do. I'm fine with the fact about he's eaten the shrimp, but still can't find the cleaner wrasse I put in tank yesterday! Concernd he ate him too! Anyone heard of that?

oh, my bad jetboatjoe. Im just talking about my expiernce and knowledge. I know for a fact they will go for the shrimp sooner or later. Thats just nature and there instincts and a risk you take. Even, if there not bothering them now and seem like buddy's. Maybe, later on as they grow bigger. I was talking about the cleaner's you have and lost. Either way. the longest i have ever kept a cleaner wrasse was a month. I just throw them in there here and there to do as much cleaning as possible, they belong in the ocean. I get a good deal on them because the owner know's its hard to maintian them. How big is your mystery wrasse. Maybe the cleaner wrasse died and laying down there the mystery was picking at it. Do you a good cleaning crew in your tank that maybe went to work.

 

[wickedfish]

As I was saying before, mystery wrasses are known for beating up on other fish, especially other wrasses. I think it's quite possible it killed the cleaner wrasse, and just because it killed it does not mean it killed the cleaner for food. The cleaner may be somewhere rotting in your rocks or eaten by your clean up crew.

Agreed. Either way cleaner wrasses are extremely hard to keep in any tank.

 

[jetboatjoe]

Thanks for they reply's, much appreciated . The cleaner wrasse appeared this afternoon! Must be on different schedule! lol. I know the cleaners don't last, but since I don't have any cleaner shrimp, like putting one in from time to time to clean the fish!

 

[Rands88]

I caught my 5.5" mystery wrasse eating my 2 fairly large cleaner shrimp. It leaves my coral banded shrimp alone. It also leaves my 6-line alone as well. Both are in a 90 gallon tank.

I also have a 9" Lunar wrasse in a 180 with a powder brown (around 6-7"). The tang pesters the hell outta the wrasse. Kinda surprised me. Both the larger wrasses eat a ton. I feed both pellet and freeze dried shrimp to both wrasses.

 

[Blitzburggirl]

Yeah... I have a huge mystery wrasse.. and guess what? He eats shrimp like a fat man at a buffet.

I can't keep shrimp (peps or cleaners) and I have tried to find/but the biggest ones possible. One cleaner has survived, but it never comes out during the day, and can only be found with flashlight at night. He's had 4 molts in as many months, so he's eating good.. but it's sad that the coolest thing about cleaner shrimp (how out and about and friendly they are) can't happen.

Anyway.... Your mystery is still small... believe me- the bigger it gets the more effective it gets at eating shrimp LOL As far as the cleaner wrasse... I bet he's cuc food... they don't last long for the most part, in the vast majority of tanks

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for they reply's, much appreciated . The cleaner wrasse appeared this afternoon! Must be on different schedule! lol. I know the cleaners don't last, but since I don't have any cleaner shrimp, like putting one in from time to time to clean the fish!

Just FYI, cleaner wrasses and cleaner shrimp do not eat parasites. Cleaner wrasses, with inadequate clients, will harass existing fish. And additionally, not all fish will allow cleaning.

 

[EvilMel]

If they don't eat them then what is your theory as to what they do with the parasites?

 

[small alien]

I was talking about the cleaner's you have and lost. Either way. the longest i have ever kept a cleaner wrasse was a month. I just throw them in there here and there to do as much cleaning as possible, they belong in the ocean. I get a good deal on them because the owner know's its hard to maintian them.

I feel the need to point out these statements make no sense. Which is it? Do they belong in your tank dying as "cut flowers" or do they belong in the ocean? Your attitude about "just throw"ing them in there and that you "get a good deal on them" because they are difficult is appalling, IMO. And then to throw in there about them belonging in the ocean. :hmm5: You are hurting my brain with your nonsense.

Please don't buy any more cleaner wrasses.