Can my tank handle a cleaner shrimp?

risubvet · 02-08-2002, 11:13 AM

My tank has been running smoothly so far. It's been 2 1/2 weeks since I added my snails to my tank and the 3 scarlet reef hermits went in 1 week before that. I was wondering if my tank would be able to handle a cleaner shrimp as is or should I move some or all of the hermits out.

I currently have in my 15 gallon tank the following:
2 False Perculas
1 Cherub Angelfish
3 Scarlet Reef Hermits
11 Snails

Any opinions?

kestrel · 02-08-2002, 02:24 PM

I'd say that it depends on the size difference. If you have really big hermits and get a really small cleaner, then you MAY have a problem, but I've never seen any interaction between my hermits and cleaners. They pretty much ignore each other.

Daryl

mikeMersot · 02-08-2002, 02:27 PM

The shrimp wont create much of a problem in terms of biolaod, but that is too many fish in a 15 if you ask me. Scarlet crabs are too small to mess with a cleaner shrimp, so that shouldt create a problem either.

risubvet · 02-08-2002, 03:36 PM

Thanks for the replies.

As far as the size of the tank for the fish, they are all young with none of them longer than 1 1/2 inches. Also I faithfully perform a 2 gallon water change weekly. I realize eventually they may outgrow the space available, but I have a 100 gallon sitting empty in the basement that I plan on getting setup by next fall. Never was to sure about the quality of the building that went into the house I'm in now and it's a split with all the living space on the second floor. Should be moving this summer though.

FishDaddy · 02-08-2002, 04:58 PM

risubvet,
A Cleaner, Lysmata amboinensis, might be a good addtion as sort of a tank paramedic. With so many fish in a 15, even though they are small, the confined space is a potential stressor and a Cleaner might be a good preventative.
Dick

risubvet · 02-11-2002, 06:12 AM

Thanks FishDaddy, now there's an expert opinion I can use to justify another expense to my wife.

John