Information about Skunk Shrimp

Hello, new to this stuff. I'm starting up a 20 gallon tank. already been cycling for about 2 weeks and is about ready to put in my clean up crew. I was very interested in buying a Skunk Cleaner Shrimp because I have heard many good things about this. Please help me with some information or any facts that may help me.

thanks again.

 

I personally would wait a lot longer than 2 weeks to add a shrimp. More like a few months after your tank is done cycling just to make sure everything is somewhat stabilized. Hermits and snails should be fine to add in right after the tank is done cycling.

~Will.

 

+1 on iLLwiLL for me, Id wait until tank is more mature becuase these are relatively sensitive invert species - 3 months would be minimum I would suggest, JMHO

http://www.3reef.com/forums/inverts/species-profile-cleaner-shrimp-58615.html
packleader has already provided an article to this site on the cleaner shrimp

my own experiences have been very good, they are amusing, entertaining and have plenty of personality
they can and do rob target fed corals of the food you put in for said corals but this adds to their appeal and makes feeding time more fun for me anyway

Steve

 

First, welcome to 3reef. Lots of good info here.

Second, I agree with the other. Wait a couple of months before adding the shrimp.

 

not only wait, but shrimp are really sensitive to instability in the water. If you, for example, don't have ATO (automatic top off) of your evaporated fresh water, in a 20g tank, you'll get some fairly big SG swings. This can take out a skunk cleaner.


While they are cleaners - don't really think of them as your clean up crew... they're more ornamental than cleaner IME.