serial killer

[Dtking]

hey all, I have a question.... what would cause my shrimp to kill every crab i buy?! I have gone through 4 crabs, all of them have been murdered by my pepermint shrimp. Did I buy a mutant or are they really all that mean/territorial? I havent heard of this happening before, but I did ask my buddy about it, and he just thinks it is a mutant! but, i am going to my LFS here in about 10 minutes to find out more, if anyone has any input please let me know!

Thanks,
Dustin

 

[djc1026]

I would make sure that it is indeed a peppermint shrimp. The most common shrimp it is confused with is a camelback, but I've never read of this behavior among them either.

Dave

 

[MyMonkey]

Hmmm... My Cleaner shrimp was very agressive for the last month before he died. He was a MONSTER at about 3 inches plus. Not sure why though. Although, he would get that way if I did not feed him periodically. I would give him his own little mysis or silverside once a week or so. Kept him happy.

 

[Dtking]

i went to the lfs, she traded me a new shrimp for the MUTANT, she did not know why he was doing that, but she said she has seen it, but it was very rare!! but i did get 3 more crabs and the new shrimp isnt quite use to the environment, so he hasnt came out alot... but he did go for a few laps around the tank before he settled down.

thanks for the input thus far!!

 

[Dtking]

I am having the worst luck ever with this..... the new shrimp that i just bought has died....

 

[keckles]

Assuming it was a true peppermint shrimp, I don't think it killed your crabs. Even if it was the most aggressive peppermint shrimp on Earth, the chance of it piercing through the exoskeleton of every crab you have purchased to mortally wound it is basically impossible. Lysmata can be aggressive with feedings, but never have I heard or seen (or believe it even physically possible) for one to kill a crab.

Please take this as kindly as possible, but you are new at this and your tank is under three weeks old. I think the shrimp was a misunderstood scapegoat. It sounds more like something is off in your tank, especially with the death of the new shrimp. I would pursue a water test as soon as possible. I think you will find the answer you're looking for.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

I was thinking similarly. Even if it actually killed it, it would really need to struggle with it. Also, a recently molted crab may also be easily consumed. Another thing to consider is whether or not it was a Lysmata (Peppermint). It might have accidently been a Camel Shrimp (AKA Camelback Shrimp; Hingebeak Shrimp). These are known to be aggressive and be non reef safe.

 

[Dtking]

no, if you look at my thread that was tittled "death 6 ft under" i posted a thred in there and it told the whole story, i saw it first hand, i saw him kill one of my crabs... but that is beside the point... i have been testing my water on a weekly basis, all my levels are good... i even had leighanne at "Aquariums" test my water 2 times before i even bought anything for the tank...
but, you may be on something... everytime i do a water change, my salt level does go up or down, now it stays within the area that i am suppose to be in... and i am referring to the laymens terms that you sent me travis... but no, i have not perfected my water changes at all. I am just going to forget about my 10 gal and start my 44 gal, it will be less painfull in the long run, what do you think travis?

thanks for the replys,
Dustin

 

[Dtking]

sorry if that last thread sounded rude... i didnt mean it to be, i just got off of work and i am just frusterated with my tank situation

 

[scott0615]

Have you double checked your salinity with a refractometer? Swing arm hydrometers are notoriously inaccurate and crustaceans don't acclimate well to big swings in salinity.

 

[Dtking]

yes, i get my water checked for free at my LFS