shrimp question
- Thread starter bahhareef
- Start date
cherubfish pair
New member
Skunk cleaners are the best cleaners, but are poor scavengers. Mine always ate fish food. I haven't owned any of the others, but the blood shrimp is best looking. JMO
BCreefmaker
New member
a herd of sexy shrimp 
waterfaller1
New member
I don't know who told you peppermints are "helpful" in a small tank. They will sometimes eat aiptasia, but not always. To me they are more trouble than they are worth. They kill any and all feather dusters, coco worms, rip the food out of the mouths of LPS corals...sometimes to the death of the coral.
I just recently caught my biggest one, and have been trying to get out the smaller one...and this is in my 90 gal.
I just recently caught my biggest one, and have been trying to get out the smaller one...and this is in my 90 gal.
kathainbowen
New member
.... are you sure you had a peppermint? There are several species of so-called "peppermint" shrimp, and not all of them behave the same. In fact, some of them are completely NOT reef safe and will behave like the one you had. To make matters worse, they all look quite alike.
Personally, I've never had an issue with a peppermint.... until he and my skunk cleaner got into a territory dispute over the best little cave in the tank. The skunk eventually ATE the peppermint. It was most fascinating the watch, but I could also feel my check card groaning at the thougths of replacing it. Thankfully, I've been aiptasia free for four months now, so I'm just going to add when I see the need to fill.
I would have to agree with either a herd of sexy shrimp or a fire cleaner shrimp. The fire (aka blood) cleaner shrimp have a bold color and really pop, especially in a small tank. That, and the skunks are so common. Everyone has seen and/or had skunk cleaners. A fire cleaner would be pretty unique and really sharp.
There is, however, one small downfall to the fire cleaner shrimp. They can be a bit more reclusive than the skunk cleaner. At least, they seem to prefer setting up their cleaning stations in rock holes and underhangs, while skunks seem to prefer being a bit more out in view about it (although, admittedly, this varies from specimen to specimen). To combat this, make your aquascaping rather loose and open, providing several shady overhangs for him to perch in plain sight where he can also feel secure.
Personally, I've never had an issue with a peppermint.... until he and my skunk cleaner got into a territory dispute over the best little cave in the tank. The skunk eventually ATE the peppermint. It was most fascinating the watch, but I could also feel my check card groaning at the thougths of replacing it. Thankfully, I've been aiptasia free for four months now, so I'm just going to add when I see the need to fill.
I would have to agree with either a herd of sexy shrimp or a fire cleaner shrimp. The fire (aka blood) cleaner shrimp have a bold color and really pop, especially in a small tank. That, and the skunks are so common. Everyone has seen and/or had skunk cleaners. A fire cleaner would be pretty unique and really sharp.
There is, however, one small downfall to the fire cleaner shrimp. They can be a bit more reclusive than the skunk cleaner. At least, they seem to prefer setting up their cleaning stations in rock holes and underhangs, while skunks seem to prefer being a bit more out in view about it (although, admittedly, this varies from specimen to specimen). To combat this, make your aquascaping rather loose and open, providing several shady overhangs for him to perch in plain sight where he can also feel secure.
cherubfish pair
New member
No one brought this up, but how are the peppermints at cleaning?
ILoveLlamas
New member
I have a skunk cleaner in my 12 pod, and I must say it is quite a pain. It walks on top of all my corals, latches on to my hand. I rarely see my duster open during the day. I am considering getting rid of it.
BCreefmaker
New member
my cleaner/ peppermint are so brave, they steal food right from my anemone when hes trying to eat it, so i could them easily damaging my corals.. i have to play defence when they are feeding making shure the shrimp stay away.
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