Cleaner Shrimp

adams

adams

Member
I just purchased 2 cleaner shrimp yesterday from pets at home and she advised I turn off the light for 24 hours. I have done that and they were very active.
Now that the light is on for an 8 hour period, the shrimp tend to hide behind the rock in the shade? Is this normal for now until they get used to their surroundings?
thanks,
 
jackri

jackri

Active Member
Depends on the shrimp. I had one cleaner that was always out and about and would come to your hand. The next one hides all the time. I personally wouldn't shut lights off for 24 hours after acclimating a shrimp though.
 
adams

adams

Member
Thats what I thought, that 24 hours was too long, but listen to the "pros" right
hopefully they come out a little as they get used to it.
 
jackri

jackri

Active Member
I don't think it's harmful to keep the lights off... I just don't see any benefit for doing it either though.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by AdamS
http:///forum/post/3217829
Apparently it calms them down from transit? haha

LOL...I have heard that when adding new livestock that it is best to add with the lights off....BUT...IMO a normal "lights off" period...you know ....like overnight would be just fine
My cleaner comes running out in the a.m. when I feed....I give her a piece of scallop every morning
with tongs
She also has a "shop" set up in a certain cave and hangs out there most of the day....at night she roams all over the tank
 
adams

adams

Member
Ahh well, they must just prefer it when its dark, I mean your right they come racing out for food haha!
 
firefightremtp

firefightremtp

Member
my brothers cleaner shrimp is crazy and always out, mine is afraid of his own shadow, I guess it completely depends on the individual shrimp...

~grace
 
garick

garick

Member
I have one cleaner and one peppermint. They both clean for me :) the peppermint does just like the cleaner only with less skill.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by AdamS
http:///forum/post/3217822
I just purchased 2 cleaner shrimp yesterday from pets at home and she advised I turn off the light for 24 hours. I have done that and they were very active.
Now that the light is on for an 8 hour period, the shrimp tend to hide behind the rock in the shade? Is this normal for now until they get used to their surroundings?
thanks,

What species of Cleaner Shrimp? A lot of the species are nocturnal.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I also want to mention that all species of Cleaner Shrimp are territorial. As a result they become stressed when removed from "their" rock. When Shrimp are stressed they often molt prematurely. They will usually try to find a place to hide for a couple days after they molt.
 
A

abeandlulu

Guest
I have one in my 265 gallon and he hides all the time. I see him mostly at night, and very little in the day. I also have one in my 90 gallon and he is always out,and if i stick my hand in the tank he jumps on my hand and starts to clean it.
 
adams

adams

Member
mm they both just sitting in the shade behind the rocks haha, the do take a peep over the rocks but then quickly jump back.. ahh well! They must be territorial over that spot!
oh and by the way, how do you tell the difference between Gender, will one change ect?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by AdamS
http:///forum/post/3218318
mm they both just sitting in the shade behind the rocks haha, the do take a peep over the rocks but then quickly jump back.. ahh well! They must be territorial over that spot!
oh and by the way, how do you tell the difference between Gender, will one change ect?
Cleaner Shrimp do not have a gender.
 
ricericebaby

ricericebaby

Member
ya i think it has to do with each shrimp. at first mine was shy, now hes out and about all the time, especially during feeding time! he has is own little cave that he hangs upside down all day and comes out to play every once in a while, a very weird shrimp lol
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by AdamS
http:///forum/post/3218318
mm they both just sitting in the shade behind the rocks haha, the do take a peep over the rocks but then quickly jump back.. ahh well! They must be territorial over that spot!
oh and by the way, how do you tell the difference between Gender, will one change ect?
Are both Cleaner Shrimp the same species?
 
hallzy

hallzy

Member
Mine is almost ALWAYS out. And he doesnt really have one specific spot, hes very active and gets all over the tank. How big is yours? It might have something to do with its size. I bought mine already a pretty big size.
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
Mine hides most of the time. Except when I come into the room, then he comes out and begins tapping the rock and stroking his antenna. Its like his little "Feed me dance".
As soon as I put my hand in the tank he charges it looking for food. Hes really cool about getting hand fed.
Some critters are weird.
My dad has a damsel that likes to be pet. He will come to the surface and sit there in the corner waiting to be stroked along his back fin.
 
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