Hi everybody,
I have always had skunk cleaners with no problems, but my latest pair I am starting to worry about...
I got a pair for my reef tank a few months back, and I am finding lately (last few days) that one of them (or maybe it's both alternating? I can't tell the diff between the 2) is always picking at my clams.
Caught him picking at my newest derasa clam about a week ago. I thought my clam was toast because he wasn't opening properly, and the shrimp sensed it and was just taking advantage - but after he left that clam (to find greener pastures apparently), the derasa is back to normal.
Now he's picking at my crocea clam that I've had for over 2 years. The crocea is open at one end, mantle extended well; but at his other end, where the clam was picking, his mantle seems withdrawn. Today is the second day that he looks like this, although the shrimp isn't bothering him anymore.
I've also noticed my maxima has a bit of mantle that seems withdrawn (3rd day looking like this). Haven't seen the shrimp bothering this one, but it seems he must have.
I tried to catch the little buggers to evict them into my FOWLR tank, but damn they're fast! And know to take cover in the rocks!
Are they doing real damage to my clams? Or am I just panicking over nothing?
I will continue to try and evict them, but just thought I'd ask what you guys think. Maybe this is just natural behavior and nothing to worrry about, but I've never seen it with my previous cleaners!
Thanks for any input.
I have always had skunk cleaners with no problems, but my latest pair I am starting to worry about...
I got a pair for my reef tank a few months back, and I am finding lately (last few days) that one of them (or maybe it's both alternating? I can't tell the diff between the 2) is always picking at my clams.
Caught him picking at my newest derasa clam about a week ago. I thought my clam was toast because he wasn't opening properly, and the shrimp sensed it and was just taking advantage - but after he left that clam (to find greener pastures apparently), the derasa is back to normal.
Now he's picking at my crocea clam that I've had for over 2 years. The crocea is open at one end, mantle extended well; but at his other end, where the clam was picking, his mantle seems withdrawn. Today is the second day that he looks like this, although the shrimp isn't bothering him anymore.
I've also noticed my maxima has a bit of mantle that seems withdrawn (3rd day looking like this). Haven't seen the shrimp bothering this one, but it seems he must have.
I tried to catch the little buggers to evict them into my FOWLR tank, but damn they're fast! And know to take cover in the rocks!
Are they doing real damage to my clams? Or am I just panicking over nothing?
I will continue to try and evict them, but just thought I'd ask what you guys think. Maybe this is just natural behavior and nothing to worrry about, but I've never seen it with my previous cleaners!
Thanks for any input.
