Fire Shrimp Worth It??

[LoneStar]

I've been looking at those pretty sweet looking fire shrimp at the fish stores recently. I've heard they are good cleaners. Is it worth the high price tag? I'm looking for functionality and good looks for my 18 gallon tank.

[Reef69]

I've been looking at those pretty sweet looking fire shrimp at the fish stores recently. I've heard they are good cleaners. Is it worth the high price tag? I'm looking for functionality and good looks for my 18 gallon tank.

Fire shrimp arent "pretty sweet looking"..These are 8) 8) 8)


JK, IMO..you are better of with a regular cleaner shrimp..

[LoneStar]

good deal

[ansonluna]

My fire shrimp does clean, but the fish have to set up an appointment and there is usually a two day wait, if they can even find him >_< . bought a reg cleaner shrimp with a heck of alot more personality and carries around a sign saying "will clean fish for food" :lol . thats just been my experience.

[demodiki]

I dunno, my fire shrimp is always out running around. Especially at feeding time! He practically competes with my fish for the food! I suppose the amount of character you get with your shrimp varies greatly, as with all livestock. In our case, he's a very cool addition that we can see virtually all the time.

[Thunderkat]

Do you raise starfish to feed that shrimp?

[Reef69]

I'd go with a regular cleaner shrimp, they do have more personality, they will even clean your hand if you stick it in..lol


Do you raise starfish to feed that shrimp?

No, i just buy them..althought i could, but i dont have an extra tank..

[ansonluna]

I do a cleaning show for all my guests (who don't have SW tanks). You stick your hand in the tanks near the cleaner shrimp and he tries to pull skin off....it's always great entertainment for the guests.

[Reef69]

Although not good for the tank..

I went to the Houston Downtown Aquarium the other day, they have like this little tank where people can stick their hands in for the shrimp and other critters to clean, but as soon as they see a hand they hide, i would too if a 9 year old with buggers on his hand wanted to touch me..lol

[jaded]

if putting your hand in the tank is bad for the tank I got problems... I can’t keep my hands out of there

My cleaner is a pretty competent manicurist... I get a nail cleaning at least once a week

[Thunderkat]

I do a cleaning show for all my guests (who don't have SW tanks). You stick your hand in the tanks near the cleaner shrimp and he tries to pull skin off....it's always great entertainment for the guests.

I used to do that with my tank when I was in Hawaii until I found out those little shrimp are really really strong and can pull off a piece. Needless to say my friends laughed at me when that happened.

[djmc7300]

i have a fire shrimp for a while, like about 1 1/2 yrs and he's doing great. he doesn't clean very well, like cleaner shrimps, but has a big appetite. he molts pretty frequently and seems to be quite happy. i also have golden coral banded shrimp, but he stays small for some reason. and i have my favorite pairs of harlequin shrimps. they so cute.!!

[jaded]

I gotta get some harlequin shrimp... they are just to nice looking... time to do more research :)

[Reef69]

Not trying to hijack the thread..!

Yeah they are, but their feeding habits are weird. They only eat starfish, any type and size, they eat the whole thing, not like the myth says that they only eat the little tubes. So you need a species thank only IMO. Ive seen them eat urchins aswell. They are nice but a bit expensive, so make sure the tank is very well established, perfect calcium levels. I also add Iodine to help with the molting.

ok, back to topic...lol