How Many Peppermint Shrimp?

[steelchromis]

I have a 29 gallon Mixed Fish/Invert soon to be reef tank, I was wondering, how many peppermint shrimp should I get? I already have one and I like how he is and so I am considering to get a few more.
Livestock List:
2 Percula Clowns
2 Red Firefish
1 Cleaner Shrimp
1 Peppermint Shrimp
Adequate Cleanup Crew
15 lbs. of Fiji LR.

 

[leboeuf]

get another peppermint and a cleaner. This way two pairs will constantly mate providing a nutrition snack each month. both have complimentry characteristics to give your inhabitants.

 

[steelchromis]

Ok, but would create a conflict between both species of shrimp?

 

[bdhough]

I don't think so. I've seen people keep 5 shrimp in certain "small" tanks. In the least get another peppermint shrimp. They are much more communal than the cleaners.

 

[steelchromis]

Cool, I think I will go with at least a pair of pep-o-mints, maybe a another cleaner.

 

[bang guy]

I agree, at least get one more of each.

 

[steelchromis]

BTW, how can I tell male from females in shrimp species? Or do I just have to get lucky on getting a pair?

 

[dima96]

just get one of each the will become a maited pair. shrimp will change ---.

 

[balashark21]

do scarlet cleaner shrimp require spot feeding?

 

[slofish]

Im one of those who keep 4 shrimp in a 26. Ive got 3 peps and a cleaner. Used to be 4 pepps but one got taken out by one of my x-fish.
Bala, im not sure what you mean by "spot-feeding", but if your asking if they need to be fed separately, the dont. My cleaner will grab anything floating around when i feed my fish. I just feed my fish a tiny bit more. Its pretty aggressive towards my peppermints when its feeding time.

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by SteelChromis
BTW, how can I tell male from females in shrimp species?
All cleaner shrimps (Lysmata sp.) are hermaphrodites.

 

[balashark21]

thinkin about gettin a scarlet cleaner for my 30 gallon.

 

[steelchromis]

Ok that's good.

 

[jonthefb]

simultaneous hermaphrodites at that!
heheh good luck
jon

 

[fishman830]

im getting 2 cleaners for my 125, in teh big 20+ 2 package on swf.com

 

[steelchromis]

Yay! I finally got another pep shrimp and am adding him as I speak.

 

[steelchromis]

I am going to get another cleaner and my first coral piece next week when my LFS has their anniversary.