Cleaner Shrimp

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by Wrassman, Mar 14, 2003.

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  1. Wrassman

    Wrassman Peppermint Shrimp

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2003
    Messages:
    448
    Location:
    Stockbridge, GA,Georgia
    I just love my cleaner shrimp. His name is Doc, and I've had him about 2 yrs now. He is the hardest working critter in my tank. He set up shop when I put him in the tank, and except for the day after a molt (when he is vulnerable), he works every single day. The fish know where to go to get Doc to give them the "once over" or even the "twice over." If they remain there long enough, Doc will go inside their mouths and gills. He is the most thorough little critter I've ever seen. The longest I've ever kept one was 4 yrs, and I gave that one away, so I'm hoping to have Doc around for awhile longer. Perhaps 6, maybe 8 yrs or so. Wouldn't that be great??

    Here's his picture:
    [​IMG]
     
    Wrassman, Mar 14, 2003
    Wrassman, Mar 14, 2003
    #1

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  2. CheckMateKingll

    CheckMateKingll Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2003
    Messages:
    200
    Location:
    SouthEast, FL,Florida
    Nice Pic. Wrassman,,
    Could you send Doc. to my house? [smiley=help.gif]
     
    CheckMateKingll, Mar 14, 2003
    CheckMateKingll, Mar 14, 2003
    #2
  3. stevem650

    stevem650 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2003
    Messages:
    35
    Location:
    southeast, FL,Florida
    Wrassman...Do any of your wrasse pick on your cleaner shrimp? My yellow wrasse is getting big and I am affraid to add another shrimp to my tank. I do have a large blood shrimp which my wrasse doesn't seem to bother. I would like to add another shrimp and wondering which one would be compatable with my wrasse.
     
    stevem650, Mar 15, 2003
    stevem650, Mar 15, 2003
    #3
  4. Wrassman

    Wrassman Peppermint Shrimp

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2003
    Messages:
    448
    Location:
    Stockbridge, GA,Georgia
    Hey SteveM,

    Most of the reef-safe wrasses will leave Lysmata sp. shrimp alone. Even my ornery Checkerboard (Fido) won't bother Doc. I think that they respect them because they are cleaners.

    Now, Peppermints are another story. My Peppermint stays hidden most of the time during the day, when the Checkerboard is awake. Fido has been known to "harrass" the Peppermint from time to time. But, they seem to have worked out a solution involving the Peppermint being more active at night.

    I am going to move the Checkerboard in a week or so, anyway. So the shrimps will be very happy. [smiley=iloveyou.gif]

    [glow=white, 2, 300]I hope this answered your question.[/glow] [smiley=cool4.gif]
     
    Wrassman, Mar 16, 2003
    Wrassman, Mar 16, 2003
    #4
  5. stevem650

    stevem650 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2003
    Messages:
    35
    Location:
    southeast, FL,Florida
    Wrass...You always tell it the way it is. Thanks for the info.
     
    stevem650, Mar 16, 2003
    stevem650, Mar 16, 2003
    #5
  6. karlas

    karlas Fire Goby

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2002
    Messages:
    1,327
    Location:
    berwick, PA,Pennsylvania
    the only fish that really likes to get cleaned is my lawnmower he follows the shrim around and if they dont take to him he throws himself under the shrimp then they start cleanin him. my tang doesnt even bother but the shrimp will reach out and try to grab the chromises they only stick around for so long then swim off. the clowns go for a cleanin once in a while though
     
    karlas, Mar 16, 2003
    karlas, Mar 16, 2003
    #6