mated cleaner shrimp?

[yellowtail]

i just got a cleaner at my lfs yesterday and want to get another today. is it ok or will they fight and what are the chances of becoming a mated pair? do i need them relitively the same size?
ps i have a 40gallon reef

 

[nas19320]

I believe cleaner shrimp are hemaphrodites so getting a pair to mate won't be a problem.

 

[lovethesea]

yes, they are.
Next to clowns changing ---, the shrimp info was the next surprise for me in this hobby.

 

[billb]

I have found the more reading I've done, the more surprized I get...the hobby just seems to get better, as I become more educated..
I strapped on some Scuba gear years ago and it really woke me up to the UnderSea world and just what other people were missing...

 

[dburr]

I believe cleaner shrimp are hemaphrodites
Yes, and sometimes they will swap who will be the male/female.

 

[texag04]

My pair of cleaners are constantly caring eggs. I dont know the last time they didnt.

 

[yellowtail]

thanks guys but my question is that i have a medium size cleaner and i dont know what --- it is. my question is is if i get another shrimp will it mate or do i need to get a mated pair? also does the size have to be relatively the same?

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by YellowTail
and i dont know what --- it is.
Hermaphrodite = is both sexes
If you get another Cleaner of the same specie they will mate.

 

[yellowtail]

does it have to be the same size?

 

[yellowtail]

what about do anything extra to do to make them find eachother. if they have little shrimp(

) i have heard it is hard to raise them is that true or is there a chance?

 

[neoreef]

If you put 2 acclimated cleaner shrimp in the tank, they will find each other.
I put my new little one at the far end of the tank from where my bigger one hangs out, and by morning, they were best buds, and hang out together. They are always both carrying eggs. No worries about relative size, introducing the new one, nothing. They are a lot of fun to watch.!