shrimp question

[peircer]

Question: My saltwater tank just cylcled, so I'm off to buy shrimp tomorrow. Are there any shrimp compatability issues I should be aware of?

I'm definitely getting peppermint shrimp, I've got apistasia issues, and I've had them before and liked them. I also had a "cleaner" shrimp. I'm pretty sure it's a skunk shrimp. Again, neat shrimp really entertaining. Are there any problems keeping multiple types of shrimp or conspecific aggression problems? I had one of the cleaner shrimp and got a second smaller one later and the older bigger one attacked it. Is that normal? I don't know if the bigger one killed it, or if it croaked because I bought it from Petco... I'm also intererest in the coral banded shrimp too, but I don't want to have little shrimp wars going on too.

Do shrimp attack corals? I want to do soft ones. I've never kept coral before and want to now. I looked for a shrimp FAQ, but didn't really find one...

Thanks

 

[leeweber85]

I keep 2 skunk/cleaners. I added them at the same time so that might have made a difference... they are ALWAYS loaded with eggs which is good for fish/coral food. The shrimp you are talking about adding will be fine with any corals but they are thieves when it comes to feeding LPS and palys. I would recommend you hold off a little while before adding them just to make sure you can keep ahold on your parameters. I've heard they don't do well with high nitrates.

Lee

 

[leeweber85]

oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I wouldn't keep more than 2 cleaners together. People that breed them claim they are cannibals.

 

[Atticus]

Coral banded shrimp will kill all other shrimp in your tank.

 

[wesly2006]

Ive got one coral banded and one cleaner and have had no problem what so ever (knock on wood).

 

[thugmebaby]

I have 3 cleaners, 1 bloodshrimp, 1 camel, and 4 peppermint all with no issues

 

[tibbs2]

I would avoid camel shrimp. They may eat some coral.

 

[thugmebaby]

I know that tibbs2.... cant catch it

 

[phishcrazee]

I'd wait with the shrimp until your tank is a little more established and the parameteters are stable.

 

[Diablitaroja]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8682220#post8682220 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by leeweber85
oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I wouldn't keep more than 2 cleaners together. People that breed them claim they are cannibals.

Cleaners are cannibalistic, but I've had at least four at a time at some point over the past few years and I've never seen adults attack eachother. I think the "cannibal" tag comes from breeders because it's fairly common for very young cultures (of almost any shrimp) to be cannibalistic, and adults will most certainly pluck their newly-hatched young out of the water for a late night snack, but like I said, I've never seen adults attack eachother.
It sounds like you have good community-type shrimp picked out.

 

[highland135]

I had two cleaner shrimp also. I never had any problems with them damaging any corals or each other. I would guess shrimp are a lot like fish. If you keep them well fed they don't have to go after other food.