Talk to me about shrimp.

[MargieInAZ]

Hi everyone,
I have a 55gal reef tank. So far I have two ocellaris clown fish, five turbo snails, 10 small hermit crabs, and any hitchhikers I got with my ~60lbs of live rock.
Right now, I plan on stocking it with some more hermit crabs, nassarius, nerite and astrea snails, and a couple of emerald crabs (this clean-up crew was recommended to me by a LFS)
For fish, I plan on adding a pair of Kaudern's Cardinals, a Watchman Goby, a Melanurus Wrasse, and a Coral Beauty (but that may change).
So far for corals I have a Frogspawn and a Torch coral. I'm planning on adding a few mushrooms also, after that, I'm not sure.

Anyway, I'm also thinking about adding a few shrimp. I've been reading up on them, but am kind of confused on what would get along with what, etc.
I'd like them both for their looks, but also for cleaning benefits.
I'm thinking of a couple of peppermint, a cleaner or two and a few fire shrimp.
How does that sound? And how will they interact with each other?
Thanks for any input/advice.
Oh, and I have a protein skimmer, two Korilina #2 powerheads and a u/v sterilizer.
My parameters have been good so far, and I've been doing water changes very regularly.

Thanks in advance,
-Margie

 

[SWINGRRRR]

I have 2 Peppys, 1 Fire, and 1 skunk cleaner. No problems interacting at all. I have my kids convinced that the Fire is the baby to the Peppeies.

 

[sassafrass]

The peppermint and the fire shrimp you will see only rarely in my experience, the skunk or (cleaner) are more out and about from what I have seen . On a side note I wouldn't get more than 3 nassarius snails for that size tank , and if you can avoid it no emerald crabs ,they are omnivores and as such will eat anything they can get in their claws. It is really good that you are on RC asking questions , I personally make it a rule to question any advice given to me by someone who stands to make a profit on that advice.

 

[sps1-2-b]

I have a fire, a cleaner, and a few peppermint shrimps with no problems at all.

 

[Denbf58]

I have 3 peppermint 2 cleaner &1 banded coral all get along fine the peppermint you will hardly ever see

 

[shuguley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13324011#post13324011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sassafrass
The peppermint and the fire shrimp you will see only rarely in my experience, the skunk or (cleaner) are more out and about from what I have seen . On a side note I wouldn't get more than 3 nassarius snails for that size tank , and if you can avoid it no emerald crabs ,they are omnivores and as such will eat anything they can get in their claws. It is really good that you are on RC asking questions , I personally make it a rule to question any advice given to me by someone who stands to make a profit on that advice.

I have a fire and skunk shrimp, they both hang out together constantly and I see one just as much as I see the other, in fact, durring feeding the fire shrimp is all over the tank while the skunk tends to hang under his rock. Also, the fire shrimp will clean my hand when it's in the aquarium, but the skunk won't come anywhere near me.

Why only 3 Nassarius snails? I currently have 7 in my 55 and want more, they only grow to 1/2 inch.

I have one emerald crab and may get one more. I've read several people on this site remark that emerald crabs behave just fine as long as they are well fed, maybe supplelemt their diet with algae wafers or something.

 

[jtma508]

I have 2 cleaners, 2 fire, a pistol and 4 peppermints in my 90gal. They all get along just fine and are faty and happy. The cleaners tend to be more social and stay out front. The fires a bit less so and the peppermints are like ghosts in the tank. Except at night when they prowl.

 

[jbc123]

I thought Nassarius is what you should have the most of. They are small, the dig in the sand a lot more than other snails and they eat everything, from poop to algae.

 

[chimmike]

Get more nassarius.

Cleaners are fun to watch. I want a sexy shrimp too because they just look soo cool. Might want to check those out.

my peppermint (which was eaten by my flame cardinal) was a ghost. Watch those cardinals, I've heard from a few sources that they might gobble up your shrimp. (which is why the flame cardinal is chillin in my fuge until i can give him away)