Cleaner Shrimp Compatability

pmanzi · 12-30-2005, 08:18 PM

I have a Coral Banded Shrimp and wanted to get 1 or 2 Pacific Scarlet Cleaners but heard that the Coral Banded may attack them. Is this really a threat it has not shown any interest in any of my other inverts.

rickzter · 12-30-2005, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmanzi

I have a Coral Banded Shrimp and wanted to get 1 or 2 Pacific Scarlet Cleaners but heard that the Coral Banded may attack them. Is this really a threat it has not shown any interest in any of my other inverts.

Ohhh my. Eversince I got my coral banded, I have been observing him. Now that little guy is NOT SHY! There have been times where I place my hand in there to move a frag, and he has the audacity to come and pinch my hand! :mad: I have also seen the little bastard pinch the hell out of my mandarin. Other than that, he pretty much keeps to himself. He is always looking for food and is not afraid of anything. Based on his attitude, I really think he is going to pick on other shrimps I might introduce. What I have also noticed is that he does not stick to one place, he is everywhere, like he owns the place.

So yes, expect him to maybe pick on them. If you have a big tank with lots of LR, you should have no problem then.

Bruce · 12-30-2005, 10:08 PM

yes i would be very wary to add any more shrimp...im not sure if a group would be better of just give him a bigger meal lol...they are definatly not shy like rickzter said...but i dont know if they are killers...sorry

Anyone have any expirence with mixing shrimps?

SAW39 · 12-31-2005, 12:02 AM

Yes, I have some experience.
I see the same behavior that Rickzter described in my large banded coral shrimp. However, I have two very small cleaner (Peppermint) shrimp who also live in my 45 gal tank. They stay away from him -- hiding in crevaces that the BCH can't get into. The BCH is agressive, but has slow reflexes. As long as there are a half-dozen boltholes available, and unless he catches someone unaware, I think you'll be fine. I'm planning to eventually add one more cleaner shrimp (Scarlet) to the tank. I'll let all of you know if I have a problem.

By the way, this same question came up a year ago in the post
coral banded shrimp vs. cleaner shrimp
The discussion had a different take on the issue -- some good examples of what can go wrong -- but was divided on the answer.

rickzter · 12-31-2005, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmanzi

I have a Coral Banded Shrimp and wanted to get 1 or 2 Pacific Scarlet Cleaners but heard that the Coral Banded may attack them. Is this really a threat it has not shown any interest in any of my other inverts.

The only thing I can also add is maybe try getting bigger shrimps, maybe he'll be intimidated, although I doubt it.

When you turn on your moonlights, peep at your tank and watch your BCS explore the tank, he seems to absolutely love the dark.

Big Wally B · 12-31-2005, 05:20 AM

Ricktzer hit it. I have a blood red, several peppermints and a coral banded in my 90. They seem to get along (about 2 years now). The blood red is larger than the others. The CB is sometimes aggressive but not terribly so. He does have quite a reach but just seems to pick and prod.

pmanzi · 12-31-2005, 07:22 AM

Thanks, I do not think I will risk things at this point and just stay away from the CS.
SAW39 if you do add some CS to your tank please let me know how it goes. I also had a peppermint for a short time that the BCS left alone but then again he liked to live in my overflow box and kept getting washed down into the sump. A few of thoose trips seemed to do him in.

SAW39 · 01-01-2006, 08:53 PM

Will do, pmanzi. I was thinking about getting him in February, after getting a few business trips out of the way (my wife gets nervious taking care of the tank if I have something new living in it).