Coral banded shrimp...

I've lost 2 small clowns (percula and a maroon) within the last 2-3 weeks with nary a hint of what happened to them. They were both about an inch in length. I can't fathom what happened as i've not found a body. Could the CBS be catching them at night, eating what he can and then the clean up crew disposing of what's left before i find anything? I'd think i'd find a skeleton at least. Or could they be running into my BTA at night? My main question here is if CBS' would do such a thing. I've read posts about some CBS' being aggressive and suspected him after I found him chowing on the remains of my antler hermit I immediately checked water param's and they're all ok w/salinity 1.024.

 

Yes, Coral Banded Shrimp are able to do this. This combined with the fact that the Clowns are very small in size and not as able to handle the stress and other factors from the collection, shipping and handling processes as larger individuals would be!

 

I don't htink that they would have done this. I've had MANY. I've found them eating fish but I know that they have never killed one. Even when they have the chance. I do know that they are big pushovers. They threten with their claws all the times but my fish even the small ones have come to realise what cowards they really are. When thretened my fish now push up against the shrimp (Not in that I want a cleaning way) just to show him they aren't afraid.

 

i beg to differ, i had mine stock my fish at night and tried to attack them, saw it with my own eyes, saw him ripped apart my snail, hermit, and a anemone crab. that should conclude my seeing

 

Why would a weak shrimp kill a fish when it has the ability to catch various other things such as bristleworms, detritus, etc? Maybe if the fish or snails are already dead, but not alive.......

 

tinnghe's post is not the first one i've seen people posting about their CBS' 'attacking' their other fauna as I stated in my original post. I don't really need him and am thinking i'm going to take him back for credit. Between the hermits, bristleworms, emerald crabs, serpent star, copepods and a cleaner shrimp I think he's probably overkill anyway.

 

They seem to become more aggresive when hungry

HI,
Thats what I have noticed as I back off on feeding myosis and other frozen foods mine will stalk fish at night when they are sleeping.
I saw one follow a large clarki all over the rock he would move the shrimp would approach and pinch.
They are very good theives too, I had one that would steal from a sea horse that had killed a shrimp he would wait till the shrimp was stunned and grab and run, the sea horse was slow and docile
So in the ocean anyone can become a predator, be it shrimp, crab, fish.
Some are more obvious other's are sneak attacks.
Doug