New Cleaner Shrimp Behavior

[tashier]

I've had some cleaner shrimp now for a few days I got in hopes of helping with my Ich issues. When I first dropped them in after a 2 hour acclimation from 1.030 to 1.026 they were visible but stationary, not moving around too much. The tangs with Ich were swimming into them trying to get them to clean but the shrimp weren't interested.

The next morning, I found what I thought was a molted shell and removed it from the tank. It appeared to be just the shell althought it was covered in a heavy transparent slime maybe from the mushroom it was on?

The shrimp have never come out at this point and I can find one hidden way back in the rocks with a flashlight. He appears to be OK but I'm afraid he's not going to get any food back there. I've been feeding a bit heavy with mysis and krill hoping to prevent that. I haven't been successful with the last 3 cleaner shrimp purchases. Some make it a few hours, some a few weeks but that's it.

The cleaner shrimp I successfully kept for a few years previously were out and about a lot and would crawl up your hand and come out when food was introduced in the tank. These guys aren't coming out at all.

[Wiskey]

I think you should give them a little time to get used to the tank,.. I agree, eventually they should become more active, but IME they are usually not in the mood to do much right when they go in.

Did you see the thread in M'ville on my fork rebuild? Went great! Thanks

Whiskey

[partobe]

I agree with Whiskey. Ive had several cleaner shrimp over the yrs and have found all of them to act this way. I have one huge one in my tank now Ive had him for several yrs and he never comes out when the lights are on. I bought a new smaller one a cpl of months ago and actually thought it had died because I hadnt seen it in weeks. Then the other night there it was cleaning a fish after the lights had gone out. I wouldnt over feed they will pick at any food in thee tank. I have a feeling they will be fine.

[tashier]

Originally Posted by Wiskey

Did you see the thread in M'ville on my fork rebuild? Went great! Thanks

Whiskey

I'll have to go check it out. Told you it was easy.

[tashier]

Well, it appears that once again they are both goners. I was hand feeding the last one to make sure he was getting food so that must not be the issue. the last time I fed him he took it but then wasn't interested in it and let go of it.