Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

[Flipturn88]

How do they fare in tanks? Do they need iodine to molt or any other special requirements? Also, will they eat parasites (such as ich) off of fish? That could be helpful in the future if there is a problem. Thanks in advance.

~Kayla

[squid]

Kayla:

Highly recommend a cleaner shrimp. Skunk cleaners are (IMO) the best. Your fish will love you for adding it.

I never added iodine and mine molts every 5 weeks or so.

[MontanaRocknReefer]

I second what Lise has stated!! Great to watch the relationship between fish and invert!

[Flipturn88]

Good! Are they pretty hardy, or can they be sensitive to swings in salinity, temp, etc? I'm a newbie so I'm tryining to keep everything as healthy as possible at the moment. Thanks

~Kayla

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Kayla writes: Are they pretty hardy, or can they be sensitive to swings in salinity, temp, etc?

Yes Kayla they are quite hardy and don't think they are really sensitive to swings in salinity, temp, etc but like any tank you want to keep everything as stable as possible for the good health of your critters.

[valexia]

most of mine (four between two tanks) molt frequently, i have found if my maintenance scheduled water changes arent done they will moult with curly wiskers...so i now make sure the changes get done when they need to be.
I love ours, they come over when you clean algae, they scurry after flake foods and tidbits...and my yellow tang lays down for them to clean him sometimes. They are very fun to watch. Mine are quite large...and beautiful as they wave in the currents.
I think you will find them charming pets.

[Phantom Phish]

Are they compatible with Peppermint shrimps? I have several peppermints, but have also thought about getting a skunk if they well help with ick.

[valexia]

in my experiences yes, absolutely, they are very mellow to others...

[Flipturn88]

Will they help with ick?

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Alot of people say they help fish in prevention of Ick but then again there are alot of reasons why ick occurs but they do pick off parasites which can cause other diseases!

If this is your first cleaner shrimp beware when they molt! You will think your shrimp died but actually it's just the exo-skeleton and it can look pretty convincing at times as if your shrimp as died but he is in hiding for a day or two while it's new exo-skeleton is getting hard and this is the time they are the most vulnerable to other fish, etc.

Also I believe this is when mating takes place between male and female when the female molts!

[Phantom Phish]

Originally posted by MontanaRocknReefer

Also I believe this is when mating takes place between male and female when the female molts!

Well of course! She has to get undressed first.

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Hey Phantom Phish! I can't argue with ya on that point!!

[squid]

Just a word here...Acclimating a shrimp, any shrimp is much different than acclimating fish. Some people would disagree, but I believe a majority will say to drip acclimate them into your tank. Should be a slow process, cuase they are sensetitive to drastic change in pH. JMO

[Doug1]

Kayla, one of the neatest things about them , is unlike most shrimp that hide a lot , cleaners will come up and clean your hand after they get used to you

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Yeah I have the cleanest finger nails thanks to my shrimp!!