Peppermint shrimp attacking new LTA

[Dizzle63]

Any experience? Any suggestions?

 

[bpkenn]

about 30 minutes after i put my first LTA in my tank, one of my peppermint shrimp decided it was time to gorge. From what I researched it's not uncommon. Peppermint shrimp eat anemones. They probably prefer the small ones like aiptasia, but they are opportunistic feeders. I've seen my peppermints steal food from fish, crabs, corals, etc.

 

[bgraves]

I had the same prob. they finally left it alone until feeding time. thats the only time my shrimp come out. I try not to feed them so they will eat the aptasia. not sure if they are even eating that

 

[nanoreefkeepa]

That happened with mine it will stop eventually. Now my shrimp only comes out to eat.

 

[dalston]

I wouldn't think it is attacking the LTA but instead eating some dead flesh or other organism's. Mine used to steal food from inside the the mouth of the anemone

 

[bpkenn]

I clearly saw my peppermint snipping off healthy, inflated tentacles and eating them. Peppermint shrimp eat anemones.

 

[dalston]

well if it's clearly cutting off tenticles... :idea: remove the shrimp

 

[bpkenn]

good idea, maybe i should go do that...

 

[Toddrtrex]

I have noticed that they will do that to newly introduced anemones, seems that the sting/stickiness isn't as strong with the anemones are first introduced. If you can remove the pep temporally can see if it will be okay once the LTA settles in.

 

[Dizzle63]

The peppermints finally left it alone. I also solved the problem of it getting blown around the tank. I ended up taking egg crate and making a "cage" out of it by vertically placing walls around it in the sand so it will stay put. It is now settleing in nicely.