shrimp

[funkpolice]

Hello,
I've been inspired by this months photo contest to stock a few shrimp in my tank. I haven't decided which kind to get, and I'm looking for some suggestions. I have a 55 gal tank with brown/white xenias, torch, octobubble, zoas, and a leather, about 10 sm hermits, 10 astreas, 5 turbos, and a sally lightfoot crab. I kind of like the sexy shrimps, but I'm not sure about compatability issues. thanks in advance.
bill

[funkpolice]

I think I've decided on two cleaner shrimp. I'll probably pick them up tomarrow after work. Is there anything I need to know about the acclimation of shrimp? I'm guessing the same as for corals and snails.
bill

[funkpolice]

?

[Dentoid]

The cleaner shrimps are great. Two is a good number for a 55. They're more extroverted than most shrimps and tend to hang out in the open advertising their services.

Peppermints and Fire shrimps hide and are rarely ever seen.

Sexy shrimp are great, but should be reserved for smaller tanks or tanks with fish that won't eat them, they are a smaller species.

[rlcline76]

The only thing I like about peppermint shrimp is that they are functional...in the sense that if you have aiptasia, you might not have to worry as much. But mine also attack feather dusters and anthelia polyps (the later doesn't sadden me as much). I like the skunk cleaners, never heard of them wreaking complete havoc.

[BEELZEBOB]

Originally Posted by funkpolice

I think I've decided on two cleaner shrimp. I'll probably pick them up tomarrow after work. Is there anything I need to know about the acclimation of shrimp? I'm guessing the same as for corals and snails.
bill

i double the acclimation time for all inverts ('cept hermits)


I.E.

Bane the mantis, 4hr drip acclimation.

Kyle, the cleaner shrimp and paul the peppermint, 3hrs.

[funkpolice]

Well, I picked up two cleaner shrimp last week. I only acclicmated them for about 45 min. Since I put them in the tank, I can only find one of them, and that one is always hiding. I hope they are both alive still, but I can't be sure.
bill

[BengBear]

I apply drops of tank water into cleaner shrimp container for about 1 to 2 hours and it survive. Also tried doing the same but for only about slightly longer than 45min on the 2 smaller shrimps and they survive but 1 pass out a day later, don't know why.
Anyway, the 2 surviving shrimps used to hide but come out into the open in the night, when dark. Tried using a torch to search for them in the morning, when it is still dark or shortly after dark at night. I used to find them moving around looking for foods.

[funkpolice]

Hi
I'm pretty sure only one of the cleaner shrimp made it. I don't think 45 min was a long enough acclimation. The one that is still alive is always out now. He gets in on the feeding when I feed the fish. He picks at my hands when I put them in the tank. I think he/she is a great addition to the tank. I might buy another when I get back from Hawaii.
bill

[BEELZEBOB]

yea, thats why i suggested MORE THAN 3 HRS

shrimps are real sensitive.

its all good though.

live and learn

[framerguy]

Long acclimation is the norm for inverts. Shrimp, seastars, slugs, etc cannot tolerate sudden changes in water parameters. Three hours is good advice from Bob. Some inverts should even go longer.

[BengBear]

Yes, agree. Shrimp need long acclimatization time.
What about Nassarius Snails or any snails, do they require long acclimatization time, say 2 hours or more? Appreciate your advise.

[BengBear]

Just recall about acclimatizing Scarlet hermit crabs. Did it for about 2 hours and they survive very well. Only problem or observation is that, these guys, 2 of them, vacate their shells and did not appear to jump into any empty shells (mixture of Nassarius and others empty shells). Any advise will help.

Note: My 1 year old 50gallon tank is bare bottom, no sands, but home to many live rocks. Fishes are 4" (approx.) emperor angel, 2" heraldi angel, 2" Koran, 2 common clowns, 1 1/2" fire clown, dottyback, 3" domini tang, 2" regal tang, and 1 cleaner wrasse (abandon by reefer). Corals - anamone, some button mushrooms and 2 shrimps (1 and about 1 1/2" size).

[CMG]

Originally Posted by funkpolice

Well, I picked up two cleaner shrimp last week. I only acclicmated them for about 45 min. Since I put them in the tank, I can only find one of them, and that one is always hiding. I hope they are both alive still, but I can't be sure.
bill

This is why I love having a 40g tank, everyone says go big but I can find everyone quickly when I do my head count everyday...jeeez spoken like a true Marine huh? Head counts..what a dork!