And then there were shrimp!

[dpotts]

So I added 1 cleaner shrimp and 3 pepperment shrimp to my 29g biocube tonight. Since I have no fish in there yet I went ahead and bought some frozen food for them. I was planning on feeding 1/4 of a cube 3 times a week ( as suggested by the LFS) but not sure how to go about it! Do you just thaw it a little and then just throw it in or do you have to hand feed them? I really don't want to be sticking my hand in there but will if I have too!!

[texasfootball21]

I've always just gotten a plastic cup or any other small dish (make sure it is clean, no soap residue!), dipped it in the tank and filled it full of water, then put the frozen food in there, let it thaw for a while, and when all thawed out, just dump the solution back into the tank. I often add garlic to the mix when it is thawing. I don't believe you would have to hand feed them, I've had both of the shrimp you mentioned, and they've never had a problem catching their own meals. You may want to add a few hermit crabs and snails to bulk up your clean up crew. If you have a decent clean up crew, anything that isn't consumed by your shrimp (or eventually shrimp) will be devoured by the crew.

Good luck!

[jrsatx20]

I cut mine with a knife with no problems

[dpotts]

I didn't think to mention it but I do have 13 snails and 15 hermit crabs! If all goes well over the next few weeks I'll start to add a few small fish and soft corals! The LFS that I go too are GREAT! They are walking me through this step by step.

[texasfootball21]

Then you are probably fine just dropping in the thawed food, your hermits and snails will clean up the remains.

[SABOB]

I rinse my frozen food with RODI water to help remove phosphates before dumping into tank.Your shrimp,snails and hermits will love you.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Which LFS are you going to, Dpotts?

[dpotts]

I'm going to River City Aquatics, here in Austin. They have been great. I have visited most of the stores here in Austin and no one compares to them. Everyone that I have dealt with has been pleasant and very helpful! Love them!!

Deanna Potts

[jroescher]

My cleaner shrimp would crawl all over my hand at feeding time. Hard to stand if for long because it would tickle so bad. And if I didn't have food, they would just pick at the skin.