Cleaner Shrimp Question!!!

[jhueb12]

What does everyone do to keep their cleaner shrimp happy??? What do you find is the best food for them??? My shrimp's antenna are becoming brown and i dont know why. Just got me a lil freaked!! <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[mr.bubble]

R your shrimp in pairs? what is the water perimaters? I feed them nothing! and he has molted 5 times in the last 2 months! But what they will eat is fish paracites, plancton(spelling?), and leftover fish food. They need fairly good water quality to live long in the aquarium...but what do i know, IM A NEWBIE!

 

[stupid_naso]

I have never heard a cleaner shrimp's antennae turning brown, diatom bloom? I don't know but my cleaner shrimp is lonely right now. Have a fish for him to clean, and he'll be happy. Since I don't have any fish right now, I hand-feed him two pieces of flakes per day . Other than that if you keep your water parameters right, he'll be fine. Watch the temperature, one time my heater boiled my cleaner shrimp, he died so I got a new one.
Keep in mind that molting is not always a good thing. Shrimp or crabs often molt because they are stressed. Often when they are shipped, you'll receive them and noticed that they molted, it's because of stress. Other times however, they molt to grow back their antennae, after being attacked by mean fishes.
I hope that helps, probably the other might be able to help you with the brown antennae .
stupid_naso

 

[uncle fester]

I've had that happen quite often just prior to the shrimp molting. Make sure you check your iodide (iodine?) levels. Crustacea need it to molt properly. For the record, my cleaner shrimp molts almost monthly! I'm beginning to wonder if they MAY molt in order to "clean" their exoskeleton (like some leather corals will shed a mucus coat to rid themselves of algae etc).

 

[maryc137]

I feed mine at least once a week a little piece of cocktail shrimp. They love it and will take it right out of my hand. They also get left over fish food the other days.

 

[sandy]

Do they need a buddy? I have one. Simon da Shrimp. He seems to crave my attention and hand feeding.

 

[jhueb12]

Thanks for the info everyone, I gotta check my iodine levels, prolly low, cuz everything else is ideal. Those lil things are just so funny to have and I just wanna keep it healthy!

 

[richard rendos]

I do not do anything specifically for my shrimp. My cleaners always get red or brown whiskers the day or two days before shedding. Great scavengers.

 

[lu]

Mine eat everyday, just like the fish. They love frozen brine shrimp and flake food. My purple lobster and brittle star eat that stuff too. I love breakfast time around the tank...so much fun!
(they eat at 7:00 am when the lights go on)