Tang VS Cleaner Shrimp-Tropical Fish-3reef Forums

rashr · 09-28-2007, 05:50 AM

I have a Purple Tang that has been in my tank almost 2 years now and a cleaner shrimp that has been in there almost 2.5 years. Well for the last month or so I noticed the cleaner shrimp's feeler (antennae) was shorter for some reason....well last night I found out why! The Purple Tang is nipping at them! What the heck for? Any ideas....all the fish get fed flake, mysis and pro reef mixture soaked in Selcon so I wouldn't think it was a deficiency of any sort and the shrimp can't be vying for "foraging" space which is the only reason I have heard why Tangs may become some what aggressive.....any ideas?

crappyballer · 09-28-2007, 06:07 AM

my yellow tang loves to screw with my cleaner shrimp. always give him an antennae cut. but once the antennae get a certain length the tang will stop nipping and wait for the shrimp to molt.

rashr · 09-28-2007, 06:30 AM

Again......Why? This seems soooo odd! I have never heard of this before and it is just blowing me away......Does your shrimp ever get frigged out over the clippings? Mine doesn't like it but seems ok one the clippings are done.....

crappyballer · 09-28-2007, 06:35 AM

who knows the animal world is full of mystery's. i think it is because my cleaner used to be a little over zealous while cleaning/trying to clean. cause when i first introduced them they were the best of friends. the shrimp would ride the tang around the tank cleaning it. then all of a sudden the tang wouldn't let the shrimp get near him and every time the shrimp gets to close he just nips a little bit of antennae off and the shrimp retreats.

amcarrig · 09-28-2007, 06:36 AM

It might be because of something as simple as boredom on the tang's part too

BaxterS80 · 09-28-2007, 08:16 AM

My Cleaner, when he sets up shot, loves to clean my Hippo Tang but if the cleaner doesnt want to be bothered he lets the Tang know it. LOL

rashr · 09-28-2007, 08:49 AM

Thanks to you all for your help and suggestions......Thinking back on their history I believe you are correct. The Tang got a slight case of the ick and the shrimp was his best bud, but after the ick was gone, the shrimp continued to host and the Tang looked as if it started irritating him......so maybe this is payback! Or maybe yet the instigator is the shrimp and not the Tang. Thanks again!

Tangster · 09-28-2007, 10:51 AM

Better the P/tang took to the shrimp I had a 5 inch one that took to clams ! Tang gone (:

rashr · 09-28-2007, 10:57 AM

I have heard of that......and it kind of scares me a little because I am looking at getting a clam or two and then I have read where some tangs have got a little too curious about the clam and the clam shut on them either killing them or seriously hurting them. Since I didn't know that this Tang would mess with the shrimp.....do they normally mess with clams..... I would hate for the Tang to become a clam sandwich.....

Tangster · 09-28-2007, 11:12 AM

I have never seen a clam large enough in an aquarium to catch and hold a fish.. Now we have a pair of percs that live in the clam.. And when I say in In the clam I mean in the clam they go in swim around and peek through its inlet siphon opening (: We have proof (: