Cleaner Shrimp? How long before tankmates allow it to clean them

[pasphotography]

How long does it take before tankmates allow a Skunk Cleaner Shrimp to clean them?? I have one that was cleaning every fish in the tank at the LFS and wants to clean the fish but they think he wants to attack them or something...
thanks,
Paul

 

[greenwolf52]

some fish just dont get cleaned by the shrimp. Others are all about it, such as the tangs. They are skiddish at first and sometimes the shrimp is a little rough with the cleaning but eventually they should come around. Their health wont be affected if the shrimp doesnt always clean them.

 

[pasphotography]

Thanks, Do Butterflies allow cleaning ever?

 

[anonome]

My larger fish allow the cleaner to "come aboard", but I have found the smaller fish stay clear. I have a sailfin tang, hippo tang, scribbled rabbitfish, heniochus butterfly, and even the lawnmower blenny that allows the cleaner shrimp to clean them. The neons, diamond goby, cinnamon clown, and the coral beauty stay clear. I put the shrimp in the tank just about 1 month ago, and it took the fish maybe 2 wks to feel comfortable for this to happen. I have 2 fire shrimp that have never really cleaned anyone...they have been in the tank over a year. He definately has been worth the money, even thinking about getting another, the poor guy is really busy all day!! The fish stand in line for attention.

 

[pasphotography]

well of course after asking it happens... I saw my cleaner shrimp start to clean my long nose butterly briefly last night. I guess the g/f saw it do it again today as well for a second. How cool is that. Only been in the tank a week or so.
thanks,
Paul

 

[anonome]

That's great, once it has started the other fish learn very quickly. Good luck.

 

[scsinet]

Sometimes the symbiosis just doesn't occur in captivity. I've also found that more newly introduced cleaners tend to do more cleaning... after they get older they just tend to sit around waiting for handouts.
Sounds like it worked out for you though.
Be warned... don't consider them a preventative measure for parasites... they may help, but they won't stop an ich outbreak in most cases.

 

[mattp098]

I introduced my cleaner shrimp into the tank after the fish had already been in there for months. As soon as I let the shrimp out of the bag my emperor angel and heniochus butterfly went up to him and wanted to be cleaned. Those two still get cleaned by him every now and then... the butterfly more so.

 

[pasphotography]

thanks for the comments, every little bit helps from more experienced people.
Since the topic of ick was brought up Ive never had to deal with it in a saltwater tank. Is there a thread here that gives the proper methods and ways to clear it up so if it does arrise I have a clue about it. Or anyone have a good personal method?
thanks,
Paul

 

[scsinet]

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Deal with an ich outbreak in a display system once and you'll be sorry you ever got into the hobby until you get rid of it. It's a horrible experience.
The best thing to do to deal with ****** (ich) is to quarantine new arrivals and use hyposalinity or copper (be sure you know what you are doing on the latter) in your quarantine tank to eradicate it off new arrivals before introducing them into your main system.