What size live shrimp will adult H. Erectus eat?

[AquaticEngineer]

Getting my new system ready and was curious what size live food adult H. Erectus can take?

I have access to an unlimited supply of live saltwater shrimp that actively breed year round and will stand temps into the upper 60's and low 70's. I'll be keeping the tank in the mid to high 60's so I can keep some native pipefish as well.

Anyways, the shrimp range from 1/2" to 1" with most being right in the middle about 3/4".

Think that's an adequately sized live food for them?

 

[amazo]

way too big they have tiny mouths

 

[ann83]

That size food should be fine for adults. The larger size may be difficult for juvies though.

 

[WallysWorld]

That size food should be fine for adults. The larger size may be difficult for juvies though.

Agree.
My rule is no bigger than their head. However if there is smaller food around they will usually eat that first. Also if the shrimp you are feeding have a unihorn break it on the big ones. I have a video somewhere of my northern h. Erectus attacking a nice size (about 1 inch) local shrimp. Then again I have a mud shrimp the same size that alive after almost a year. Maybe I feed my guys too much? ;-)

Good luck!

 

[AquaticEngineer]

Agree.
My rule is no bigger than their head. However if there is smaller food around they will usually eat that first. Also if the shrimp you are feeding have a unihorn break it on the big ones. I have a video somewhere of my northern h. Erectus attacking a nice size (about 1 inch) local shrimp. Then again I have a mud shrimp the same size that alive after almost a year. Maybe I feed my guys too much? ;-)

Good luck!

Thanks for the input

The stand for my seahorse/pipefish tank will be done this weekend so I may be hitting you up for some babies soon .

 

[DanU]

They will sometimes eat them bigger than you think. If they are hungry enough and all you have the is the larger ones, give it a go. I have seen them snick apart shrimp and eat them in pieces. Erectus can be real buggers when it comes to food. I have also seen them develop an appetite for hermit crabs and literally snick them out of the shell. Have said all that, ideally, you want appropriate sized shrimp when possible, so it takes less work for them to eat.

Dan

 

[novahobbies]

I have also seen adult horses take on shrimp as big as medium-sized peppermint shrimp. My H. erectus usually go for smaller fare, though, probably in the 1/2 inch range.

 

[WallysWorld]

Here's what happens when you put shrimp in with H. Erectus, they are like a pack of wolves ;-)

http://s841.photobucket.com/albums/zz337/walnats/?action=view&current=VIDEO0036.mp4

 

[mtc1966]

very cool thanks for posting.

 

[timinnl]

Anything under 3/4 of an inch is fair game. Anything over an inch might live a few days in my tank before the H. reidi worked out a system/method to snap them in half.

Tim

 

[AquaticEngineer]

Here's what happens when you put shrimp in with H. Erectus, they are like a pack of wolves ;-)

http://s841.photobucket.com/albums/zz337/walnats/?action=view&current=VIDEO0036.mp4

That is awesome Thanks for the vid, I feel pretty comfortable with my live food supply after seeing that