Cleaner Shrimp

Got a new Cleaner shrimp a few days ago hes been hiding ever since, i have seen him at night wondering around and in the morning he's hiding again. Even when I feed the tank there is no sign of him. I have never seen one do this all the other shrimp i've had have always gone crazy when ever I feed the tank and if hiding they would come out right away, Im hoping hes not sick Or maybe he just needs a few more days? Any ideas?

 

They can be secretive IME , it varies from shrimp to shrimp, I have had extroverts and introverts - some out and about on day 1 and some that hang to the back of rock work so you only see the feelers for a period until they feel secure

Might be just about to molt (shed its skin in as it grows) so they do hide a lot before and after this process


Steve

 

Oh, that reminds me... I found his moult in the bag when I got him, Don't they usualy hide after that until their new outer layer hardens a bit? Could be it?

 

You have found what I believe to be the reason it is hiding, well done

Steve

 

;D Thanks for your help, I was just a bit worried, I lost my cleaner shrimp pair due to a low ph issue a while back I since got it under control but im still paranoid



Thanks Again.

 

Shrimp will act this way when they drop their shells. They hide because their new shell hasn't hardened and are very vulnerable to being eaten. It takes about 1 day for it to harden, depending on the iodine level in your tank. If you are worried about your pH level, test it when you can, then test your alk (KH/dKH) levels since that is your pH buffering guage.