question about skunk cleaners

[Itz Irish]

i want to put a skunk cleaner shrimp,possibly a pair, in my 30. (none of my fish are aggressive towards inverts). i am only nervous about the shrimp surviving, any good tips on how to acclimate them, keep them alive?

 

[alprazo]

It all depends what you have in your tank. In general, they are left alone. If you have a tank with fish the devour everything that hits the surface, you will have trouble. Established wrasse, tuskfish, triggers and grouper may find them a great meal.

IMO there is only one way to find out and it may cost you $20.

 

[FerrariStradale]

I tried to introduce one into my FOWLR with three triggers and other fish... (My clown trigger is very nice compared to most)

About 5 minutes later my Picasso trigger had a rather expensive lunch. I Wouldn't try again.

Drip acclimation is the best for them though. Good Luck

 

[ivgonmad]

I would try a cleaner wrasse at night or a cleaner gobies at night

 

[eros]

maybe try some cheap shrimp first and see if they make it. I added my coral banded shrimp and had no problems with my lionfish trying to eat him. I would also like a cleaner shrimp or 2 but first I'm gonna try something cheaper and see how they treat it.

 

[Mariner]

The main thing is to go very slow with the initial acclimation. IME, skunk cleaners are VERY sensitive to changes in salinity. Use drip acclimation or changing a tablespoon of water every five minutes for an hour or two.
Once they're established, they're very hardy, and if you don't have any big aggressive shrimp-eating fish, you shouldn't have any problems. If they can't find parasites to pick off your fish, they'll eat anything.
HTH,
Mariner

 

[Itz Irish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13362360#post13362360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mariner
The main thing is to go very slow with the initial acclimation. IME, skunk cleaners are VERY sensitive to changes in salinity. Use drip acclimation or changing a tablespoon of water every five minutes for an hour or two.
Once they're established, they're very hardy, and if you don't have any big aggressive shrimp-eating fish, you shouldn't have any problems. If they can't find parasites to pick off your fish, they'll eat anything.
HTH,
Mariner

thanks mariner that was exactly what i was looking for..whats the best method for drip acclimation?

 

[GreatReefs]

You should buy a specimen container and hang it in the tank. Put the shrimp inside of the container for a few days so the fish get used to it's scent. They generally won't bother it if the shrimp has acclimated and the fish don't smell it as food.