Cleaner and CB Shrimp acting/looking weird

marty

marty

Member
Both my cleaner and coral banded shrimp have lost most of their antenea (sp??). What used to be long antenea are now probably not even an inch long.
The cleaner shrimp used to be very active during the day (i.e out and about). Now he hides under a rock during the day and I saw him out and about when the lights are off.
The coral banded used to perch under a rock 24-7 occassionally coming out to grab food, etc.. About the same time the cleaner shrimp started hiding during the day, he moved to a place I could not find him. When the lights were off, I finally saw him behind a rock in the middle of the tank moving around.
So.... why did they lost their antenea and why are they acting so different? Any thoughts?
Thanks!
 
marty

marty

Member
Probably not a fish (at least I wouldn't think so). I have a blue regal tang, a sailfin tang, and a clownfish. Inverts include a choco chip star, bunch of blue leg crabs, and several snails.
It's an 80 gallon tank with about 100lbs of live rock (several hiding places, etc..) The tangs have been in there along time (a year or so). The shrimps were added 6 months ago or so.
I haven't done anything different in a long time (since I added the inverts). Normal water changes, test water periodically - always zero/normal.
Thanks!
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Tangs are notorious for nipping Shrimp Antenna when they are stressed.
I'll redirect the question to the Tangs... is there anything stressing the Tangs?
 
logen32

logen32

Member
The sam happened to me my cleaner shrimp yoused to be very active and i noticed that he keppt on hiding in on corner and didn't move from there. After a week or two i foound him dead. I hope that your outcome will differ from mine
 
marty

marty

Member
I haven't heard any clicking noises. I have had the live rock for quite a while (longer than the tangs). I did have two cleaner shrimp and couldn't find one couple months ago, which I thought was a little odd, but thought with all the scavengers it was probably eaten quickly. Also lost a small clown fish (again thought was odd, but ...)
Could a mantis be responsible for both of those loses?
Also, could it be stressing my tangs? Not sure why my tangs would be stressed at this point. They get fed almost daily (mixture of flakes, frozen brine, and seaweed selects).
Thanks to both for the help so far!
 
marty

marty

Member
So everyone thinks there is a mantis shrimp in my tank? And this is causing my tangs to pick the antenea of the shrimps?
Except for the antenea being very short, wouldn't I see some changes in my tangs? fading color? different swim patterns? Different sleep habits (i.e. where they hide at night)?
I listened last night, but didn't hear anything (I know, only one night). Tried using a flashlight with red lense. My cleaner was very active, saw the coral banded shrimp too, but didn't pay much attention last night to it (appeared to be fine). Will I be able to see a mantis this way?
Just want to get as much advise as possible before spending $$$ on anything to get the mantis.
Thanks!
 
marty

marty

Member
Still looking for input and advise. No real change in behavior. Tested water again tonight and all is good (normal/zero) as expected. Will try to listen/view again tonight, but doubtful I will hear/see anything unusual.
Thanks!
 
partanml

partanml

New Member
Hello,
From my experience I would believe it is your shrimp not getting along with each other.
My first two shrimp inhabitants in my tank were a CB and a Cleaner. I put them in together into my 75. Within 2 hours they were at war (guess who won). Well I watched them fight and the first thing the CB did was clip the antenae from the cleaner. He then died the next day.
That was several months ago. Later I replaced the two losses with 2 Fire Shrimp I bought together from my LFS. They got along great! Always hanging around each other, Sleeping in the same area, etc. Then one day not too long ago my gf came home with a Surprise... A 3rd Fire Shrimp she picked up from the LFS. Low and behold after having this new shrimp in the tank not more than a few hours he had already clipped every antenae and a leg from the smaller of the two previous inhabitants. I have since moved and reconfigured the rockwork and now all 3 shrimp stay away from each other and the newest one will actively chase away the others. From time to time I also see one or the other with a short antenae or a leg missing. But to my surprise.. As long as they keep eating, which they always have, after they molt they have new legs and long antenaes again...
My experience with Shrimp. Anyone think I should remove the rogue 3rd Fire Shrimp?
Brent
 
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