Skunk Shrimp stealing food from my nem??

[AzaZeL]

I just got a GBTA about a week ago. Everytime I try to feed the anemone, the [profanity]cleaner shrimp attacks the anemone to try and get the silverside out of its mouth. Tonight, the anemone had just about the whole piece in its mouth but had not closed it's mouth around the silverside. The skunk shrimp is doing everything it can to pry the silverside out of the anemone. Is this normal?

 

[AzaZeL]

In the time that it took me to write the above, the shrimp had pryed the food out of the anemone's mouth and had it on the other side of the tank..... This shrimp could end up as dinner.

 

[bbehring]

Hum, funny, this issue just came up in the So Cal reef forum. I've had this isssue with my cleaner shrimp also. I feed my enemone 1x/wk and when I do, I feed the shrimps and fish first, on the heavy side on this day, then while the shrimps are eating, I slip the silverside in. I also babysit with my tongs and shew the shrimps away until the food is swallowed. Takes time I know, but seems to work for me.

 

[Toddrtrex]

My anemones are too sticky and eat too fast for my cleaner shrimps to steal, but to be on the safe side I also feed the shrimp first.

 

[Teen Aquarist]

Chase the shrimp away with your hand untill the anemone is done eating.

 

[Eklikewhoa]

My skunk cleaner does that as well....

I feed him first and then feed my nems.

 

[Apercula]

Mine too, I feed him a chunk of silverside before I feed my nem so hes occupied while the nem eats.

 

[carlosngloria]

I drop the food in and let my Maroons do the rest.

 

[AzaZeL]

Thanks for the advice. The general consensus seems to be to feed the tank before feeding the nem so I'll try that. Unfortunately mine is not that sticky yet and it eats a bit slow. I'm assuming this is because it is still acclimating itself to the tank. I fed it successfully this morning but had to put the net in the tank to keep the shrimp away. Thanks again for all of the advice.

 

[Tofumushrooman]

Yes feed that shrimpy before the nem. The nice ting about keeping carpets is they are so sticky i dont have that problem once something touches the Nem it isnt going anywhere unless its my clowns. But with BTA i actually just keep my algae class scraper stick next to it to deter the skunk cleaners and a peppermint shrimp.

Joe

 

[Eklikewhoa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12217280#post12217280 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carlosngloria
I drop the food in and let my Maroons do the rest.

I have 9 nems in my tank and 2 onyx clowns.....the shrimp steals the food regardless if the clowns feed or not.

 

[carlosngloria]

well i guess i may be lucky then.

 

[joe1584]

feed the tank then feed the anemone thats how it works for me