cleaner shrimp?

[fishguy83]

I recently got two clownfish and a small cleaner shrimp.
Lately, I have noticed the shrimp will sometimes come out and the clown fish will swim near it- and the shrimp comes out and tries to clean them. He is successful most of the time, and the clowns do not let him too near - but enough to clean them for a couple of seconds.
I know this is what shrimp do - but it isn't a problem is it? It doesn't mean that the clowns NEED this because they have something on them ? ich? or whatever?

 

[trigger11]

My guess is it wouldnt be a cause for concern. Did you QT the clowns before placing them in the DT? I would be more concerned if the clowns were going to the shrimp a lot. In your case it just sounds like the shrimp is trying to do his job and the clowns arent too happy with it. Mine are the same way.

 

[reefstar22]

It's completely natural. - Parasites sometimes are not deadly to the fish, and the shrimp will eat them. - Sometimes they are deadly and the fish eat them.
Its apart of the life cycle.
- Remember fish are animals, God gave them an immune system for a reason. - They are able to help themselves as long as you provide them with a natural environment. - Obviously they were not made to live in a jar, persay like we are placing them in. - But thats why water conditions and current are so important to the animals we keep.
Keep it natural, and they'll take care of themselves!

 

[fishguy83]

no they did not go in QT - have heard arguments for both sides, they were the 2nd and 3rd fish in the tank (i know that doesn't matter, just saying, this isn't a huge estrablished tank)..
I don't see any ich either - I just wondered, especially since the clowns did seem to let the shrimp clean -- i don't think like someone said, the clowns are seeking them out - it is usually the shrimp finding the clowns, but they let him (like when I see it, the shrimp makes contact with each fish once or twice, and they don't swim far away from the shrimp)