Cleaner Shrimp Question
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=34763
Printed Date: September 23 2025 at 5:59am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Cleaner Shrimp Question
Posted By: vadryn
Subject: Cleaner Shrimp Question
Date Posted: August 17 2009 at 5:28pm
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I added a cleaner shrimp (skunk) to my tank about a week ago. I haven't seen him since. I'm being optimistic that he's tucked behind a rock somewhere. Just wondering about how long it should take for him to get comfortable with the tank and start coming out?
I have a ton of rock so it's not unreasonable to think he's kept himself out of sight. My peppermint shrimp hardly moves from his favorite nook. I'm not going to take my rockwork apart just to find him. Can I expect him to come out eventually?
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Replies:
Posted By: kdinkel
Date Posted: August 17 2009 at 5:44pm
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I have 2 in my tank (have had them about a yr.) I see one every time I feed, and the other every week or two. I see my peppermints at best every couple weeks, so I wouldn't count him out. ------------- 29 gallon reef |
Posted By: john hill
Date Posted: August 17 2009 at 5:58pm
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i used to see mine all the time now they have set up camp in back of the rock and all i ever get are glimbs of them ------------- out with the large and in with the nano |
Posted By: tropi_gal
Date Posted: August 17 2009 at 7:32pm
| My cleaner found a spot that is very visible . He is really easy to spot in my tank... if he had chosen just 4 inches moreon the same rock I would never see him. |
Posted By: Will Spencer
Date Posted: August 17 2009 at 11:30pm
| My cleaners hang out in the open all day long. However, I had a peppermint shrimp that I thought died when it went in the tank as I NEVER saw it again after adding it to the tank. 2 years later I changed around some furniture that gave me a previously unseen view of the back of some of my rockwork and there he was hanging out on the back of the rock. I still can't believe he was in there and I never saw him for 2 years. Talk about cryptic. |
Posted By: boadyboom
Date Posted: August 17 2009 at 11:35pm
I think my eel got to all my peppermint shrimp..... |
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: August 17 2009 at 11:57pm
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I had a peppermint shrimp live in an 2" overflow pvc for about 8 months--that was where I would add all my freshwater top off etc. Didn't look like there was enough room in it for anything, but he was alive and thriving.
------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 6:27pm
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From what I have seen they seem to hide a lot as individuals but are much more social as a group of two or more.
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: vadryn
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 10:36pm
Spoken like a true shrimp salesman. 
I would gladly get 1 - 2 more if it meant I would see them all the time. Can I keep 2 or 3 skunk cleaners in a 90g?
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Posted By: john hill
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 11:12pm
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i think you would be fine with more i had 3 in my 65 ------------- out with the large and in with the nano |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: August 19 2009 at 7:10am
Yes you can easily keep that many.
Mike ------------- |
vadryn wrote:Posted By: Will Spencer
Date Posted: August 19 2009 at 11:17am
| You could keep 10 or more in your 90. They are more fun to watch in larger numbers as well. |
Posted By: towny
Date Posted: August 20 2009 at 12:01pm
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I've had a blood red fire shrimp (also in the cleaner family) for several months and would typically only see him when I feed. I recently added a skunk cleaner that is out in the open most of the time. I now see my fire shrimp much more, so I think the social aspect really helped a lot. The skunk setup its territory right next to the fire shrimp's, but they get along great (might help that the skunk is bigger). ------------- 90 gal FOWLR (kind of) - still experimenting with certain corals and inverts! |
Posted By: bfessler
Date Posted: August 22 2009 at 8:50am
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My cleaner shrimp comes charging out to greet me every time I put my hand in the tank. Especially if there is food in it. ------------- Burt An equal opportunity reefer, I support all hobbyists and organizations involved in Marine Aquarium Keeping. [email protected] |
Posted By: jwoo
Date Posted: August 22 2009 at 11:33am
| My cleaner likes to hop on my arm or hand when it's in the tank. He either thinks I have food - or will start cleaning me. It's got to the point where sometimes I can't do what I'm trying to because he's jumping on me, on the rocks, on the scraper, on the turkey baster . . . you get the idea. He's by far one of the most entertaining things in my tank and is almost always out front. |
Posted By: ksarcury
Date Posted: August 22 2009 at 12:49pm
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We have a scarlet cleaner shrimp in our 12 g. nano. I taught my grandaughters (ages 8 and 10) that if they would put their fingers in the tank he would give them a manicure. Now that's what they think he is there for We share lots of giggles, and they get clean fingernails! I've named the shrimp "Madge", and I'm thinking of starting a new business. .
We have two very large scarlet cleaners in our 90 g., and they are very visible.
Kenna ------------- 90 gal. reef 12 g. nano w/acans 34 g. salano system |