shrimps picking on anemone

[fishyness]

Both the cleaner and the peppermint pick on my new anemone. They go over it like they are looking for food. The poor thing curled up completely last nite. Should I move it?

 

[kraze3]

It may be that they are looking for food. You can try to move it if you like but they will probably find it.

 

[Toddrtrex]

That seems to happen when a new (( stressed )) anemone is added to a tank. Moving it (( within the tank )) won't help, and could cause more stress. The best bet is to put something over the anemone to keep them out --- while still allowing for flow and light.

 

[drparker]

I wouldn't move it. They will move if they want. feed the shrimps a little extra goodies just for them. The anemones in both my tanks curl up and pull back for the night after lights out, they been in the same spots for over a year now.

 

[IslandCrow]

I ended up getting rid of my cleaner shrimp for just that reason. I couldn't keep him from stealing food from my anemone or corals. Other than missing a meal, it didn't seem to bother the anemone, though (i.e. it never curled up). Now, anemones will sometimes curl up and/or deflate to purge waste. It may have just been coincidence that the shrimp was walking over it just before that. If this is happening every time your shrimp is walking around on the anemone, I'd definitely get rid of one of the two. It's best not to move the anemone, though, especially if it's something like a bubble tip that you would have to remove from the rock.

Oh, and good luck catching that shrimp if you decide to take it out. Mine would climb all over me any time I put my hand on the water, but I swear the day I decided to catch him and take him out, he knew. It took me 3 days to catch the stupid thing.

By the way, what species of anemone do you have?

 

[fishyness]

I'm having a very difficult time identifying it. It's bright yellow with just a bit of purple on the tip. I was told at the LFS its a common one and didn't require bright light.

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14704815#post14704815 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishyness
I'm having a very difficult time identifying it. It's bright yellow with just a bit of purple on the tip. I was told at the LFS its a common one and didn't require bright light.

Can you get a picture?

But, it sure sounds like a dyed Sebae, ( H. crispa ). A normal one will require bright light. Hate to say it, but I have yet to hear of a dyed one recovering. I would consider finding a new LFS if they are selling those.

 

[fishyness]

I was a little suspicious because of the color, but the LFS guy is a member of our reef club and I can't believe he would have something like that.