Cleaner shrimp question

[Chicken_Eye]

I have one cleaner shrimp in my 55 and I am just wondering how many could/should I keep in the same tank?
And what should I stay away from as far as fish and other critters that might eat them.

[Ed]

In my experience, having a pair of cleaners works well. Always found they are 'out' and visible more when there is more than one. Basically any fish that dines primarily on crustaceans could be a threat. I personally would not put a grouper, lion fish, eel, or one of the more aggresive trigger fish with a cleaner shrimp. Best advice I can offer is to thoroughly research any fish you wish to purchase beforehand. HTH.

BTW, Welcome to MAAST! ;)

[gcantu]

I currently have two in my 58g and they are doing fine. They love to clean my Hippo tang and Coral Beauty. They sometimes have a three some with each fish. It's cool to watch them do that thing they do.

[Bug_Power]

I've got 2 skunks, 2 fire, 4 peppermint and a banded shrimp in my tank. They all seem to do well in the 180.
Also watch out for wrasses... My lunar ate my fire shrimp and one skunk. I had to put him in the sump so I could take him to the LFS to trade....that night he got sucked into the pump. GRRRRRR....$90 down the drain.

[Chicken_Eye]

I have heard that the coral banded shrimp can be a little agressive. Is there much truth in this or is it a hit and miss kinda thing

[Jeff]

more agresive fish that usually eat shrimp can usually be added after the shrimp and they shouldn't bother them as long as the fish are well fed. i have a marine betta which is a grouper, in my big tank and he has never bothered the skunkshrimp (3) at all. check out don-n-sa post about ick from two or three weeks ago, he has some cleanersalong with somevery aggresive fish (eel, trigger, puffer, etc.).

[Chicken_Eye]

I got one more question. I am wanting to add an emerald crab should I worry about it harming my Cleaner

[duc]

I got one more question. I am wanting to add an emerald crab should I worry about it harming my Cleaner
No the crab will not bother the shrimp and even if he wanted to the shrimp are freaky fast.
Clif

[alton]

It won't harm your cleaner but it may harm your coral line algae and SPS

[Chicken_Eye]

Thanks guys I dont have a whole lot of coraline yet. I got one crab shortly after I set up the tank and he was fine for about 1 month then one day DEAD and I have no clue as to why at first I thought it was just a molt but nope that little sucker was dead and stunk BAD.

[Ram_Puppy]

Josh, one of the things we unfortunately have to deal with in the reef hobby is something just up and dieing for no apparent reason. from what you described to me, your tank is setup well. If anything, I bet he starved.

[Chicken_Eye]

That is kinda what I was thinking but not real sure