How Do I Remove Wretched Shrimps From My Tank?

I thought I would save myself some work dispatching aiptasia and bought 4 peppermint shrimp. I had heard that in some unusual cases they might go after soft corals. The LFS assured me they were mostly reef safe.

Unfortunately, my very healthy acans started to go missing some chunks almost immediately. The shrimp have only been in the tank for a few days, and they went right to work.

I like my acans more that I don't like controlling aiptasia. But I have a 100 gallon tank with a lot of crevices for them to hide. And they did not go for the inverted plastic bottle top trick. I want to get them out before they destroy my acans. Please help!

 

Are they small enough you could try to siphon them out with some 1/2" or so tubing?

 

Yeah, I think that could work. They are still very small. Getting close to them will be tough though.

 

If you get a good siphon going you may not have to get too close before it would be too late for them to get away. If they hide in a bolt hole with no exit then they are caught there too.

 

an empty bottle with some food inside. try it after lights out

 

If you can manipulate them into an area away from corals and other inverts, squirt them with a turkey baster full of RO/DI freshwater. It doesn't kill, but it will stun them plenty long enough to net them out without chasing.

And remember- your friendly LFS is in business to make money. Unfortunately, far too many take that more seriously than proper maintenance or pet care.

 

I dont think its your shrimp that is the issue. Per other posts, I think water quality is the issue.

 

+1

 

have you actually witnessed the shrimp eating the acans?

 

Well, no actual witnessing of the shrimp doing damage. My water quality pranksters are in the right range and the damage to the acans happened overnight - and happened to coincide with the day the shrimp were put in.

I'm not around at night. The tank is at my office, so it would be hard to catch them in the act.