Cleaner shrimp question?

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by keifer905, Jul 30, 2012.

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  1. keifer905

    keifer905 Peppermint Shrimp

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    I bought 3 cleaner shrimp the other day for my 75, and two have been hanging out under a rock. The problem is, the third just sits by himself on the opposite side of the tank. Will they find each other or should I move him to them?
    Also, how long does it usually take for them to start cleaning fish? I know it isnt usually right away
    Thanks
     
    keifer905, Jul 30, 2012
    keifer905, Jul 30, 2012
    #1

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  2. Greg@LionfishLair

    Greg@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    What species of shrimp do you have? Some are more likely to clean fish than others. Why is it important that the third shrimp hang out with the other two? It could be a space problem, or the two may be paired-up, or the critter simply may like it there.
     
    Greg@LionfishLair, Jul 30, 2012
    Greg@LionfishLair, Jul 30, 2012
    #2
  3. Toallhisdoom

    Toallhisdoom Dragon Wrasse

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    Toallhisdoom, Jul 30, 2012
    Toallhisdoom, Jul 30, 2012
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  4. Toallhisdoom

    Toallhisdoom Dragon Wrasse

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    some times the shrimp wont clean the fish, it just depends on the shrimp. and they wont always hang out together, mine usually do their own thing. I have 2 peppermints and 1 cleaner.
     
    Toallhisdoom, Jul 30, 2012
    Toallhisdoom, Jul 30, 2012
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  5. keifer905

    keifer905 Peppermint Shrimp

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    Yeah they are scarletsThanks guys
     
    keifer905, Jul 30, 2012
    keifer905, Jul 30, 2012
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  6. Greg@LionfishLair

    Greg@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    If the shrimp do start grooming your fish, they may be a bit overzealous for certain species, so keep an eye out for that. Basically, they want to clean the fish so badly, they stress them out. This usually happens with super passive species such as SH.
     
    Greg@LionfishLair, Jul 31, 2012
    Greg@LionfishLair, Jul 31, 2012
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  7. CharlotteReefer

    CharlotteReefer Coral Banded Shrimp

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    My cleaner started in on my Coral Beauty pretty much right away, so I think it depends on the species of fish as well. Some fish have no clue what a cleaner shrimp is. The cleaner actually doesnt stress my fish out but he did clean an eye so good that its no longer there on the CB.
     
    CharlotteReefer, Jul 31, 2012
    CharlotteReefer, Jul 31, 2012
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  8. pink4miss

    pink4miss Panda Puffer

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    +1 on it depends on the species, i have 2 cleaners and my 3 anthias are the only ones that seem to go to them and that the cleaners clean.

    as far as the question should i move the other cleaner shrimp. no, dont move it .
     
    pink4miss, Jul 31, 2012
    pink4miss, Jul 31, 2012
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  9. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

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    I agree, it will depend on the fish species. And from what I have found your pair will stay together and I think the third might generally do its own thing.

    ...What?
     
    Seano Hermano, Jul 31, 2012
    Seano Hermano, Jul 31, 2012
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  10. CharlotteReefer

    CharlotteReefer Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Yea, my coral beauty has only one eye....but still goes to the cleaner. I bought him with 2 eyes and the shrimp was all over it one day and the next time I looked, the eye was gone.
     
    CharlotteReefer, Jul 31, 2012
    CharlotteReefer, Jul 31, 2012
    #10