Author Topic: Killer Cleaner Shrimp (Read 3637 times)

rayviv · « **on:** May 29, 2009, 10:10:50 »

My cleaner shrimp have turned rouge. They have Killed 1 six lined wrass, 1 blue/green chromis, 1 clam. Their big and I cant catch them. I think I need a Sea Bass to put in there.

micki · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2009, 14:38:19 »

Are you sure they are cleaner shrimp??? I've never heard of cleaners killing anything.

rayviv · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2009, 14:49:40 »

Yes! Skunk cleaners. Nobody else has heard this either. but the rest of (3) chromas are very scared. We didn't see them eat the fish just cleaning up afterwards. but watched as they ate the clam thinking they were just cleaning him but when they were done his opening hole was twice the size and he was dead. Clam was responsive just prior to that.

micki · « **Reply #3 on:** May 29, 2009, 14:51:44 »

Can you post some pictures of these monsters?

rayviv · « **Reply #4 on:** May 29, 2009, 17:58:24 »

I'll try tomorrow; But I must warn you that there scary.

TechGuy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 29, 2009, 22:00:23 »

I gotta see this. Mine is aggressive toward the fish, but I just can't see how it could kill one. Unless they are the 6" long monsters Jacks has in their reef.

ohioreef · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2009, 09:25:47 »

My guess would be something else killed the fish & clam. You saw the cleaner shrimp doing their job, cleaning up.

rayviv · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2009, 11:56:18 »

Had just walked away from tank and clam was responsive to our movements, and we sat down to watch from a few feet away. One of the shrimp made its way over to the clam and started to do his thing. The clam was responsive to the shrimp and closed up all but a little and then as the shrimp continued the clam slowly opened up again. The shrimp was there for 20-30 minutes and then I got out of chair and went to tank and clam did not close and I got my glasses and looked at clam and his vent/hole was twice the size as it was b-4 we sat down to watch. He was dead. The six lined Wrass and b/g Chromis we did not see disappear. But the chromis would swim in an ordinary way until the one disappeared. Now they stay hidden constantly until feed time. There were no other fish or anything in tank at the time and they will not go around the cleaner shrimp at all.
BELIEVE IT or Not! as the man says. Just one of those things

rayviv · « **Reply #8 on:** June 01, 2009, 16:17:23 »

I cant figure out how to post a picture but it looks just like the one thats posted. (maybe it will show) But nothing to judge the size by.

jeremyt · « **Reply #9 on:** June 01, 2009, 16:22:03 »

Quote from: rayviv on June 01, 2009, 16:17:23

I cant figure out how to post a picture

make the pic smaller. i use easy thumbnails.

TechGuy · « **Reply #10 on:** June 01, 2009, 16:27:14 »

Quote from: rayviv on June 01, 2009, 16:17:23

I cant figure out how to post a picture but it looks just like the one thats posted. (maybe it will show) But nothing to judge the size by.

He looks FEROCIOUS!!!!!!!!!!! Well, not really lol. My Blenny in the pic is though. Doesn't get along with my smaller Goby, at all.

rayviv · « **Reply #11 on:** June 01, 2009, 17:15:33 »

I have 2, yes TWO! And at least one of them is a KILLER! From head to tail their about 4" long.

How do I make pics smaller?

TechGuy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 01, 2009, 17:25:57 »

XP, VIsta, or a Mac? If your on XP, search for the Resize Powertoy.

rayviv · « **Reply #13 on:** June 01, 2009, 17:33:55 »

jhart · « **Reply #14 on:** June 06, 2009, 19:07:27 »

I actually had this same thing happen to me a few years back. I had 2 skunks and they decimated one of my clams in the same manner. I'm not sure if the clam wasn't doing well and it just let them finish it off (it wasn't the healthiest when I got it a few weeks before) or what but I was pretty steamed about it. They weren't as big as yours tho. It's always neat to put your hand in the tank and let them pick at your hand, wish they didn't cost so darn much I really wouldn't mind to have a couple more (that is if my coral banded would't go rambo on them).

rayviv · « **Reply #15 on:** June 07, 2009, 11:20:02 »

jhart: Thats good to know. For me anyway. Maybe not for you. But Ive had strange things happen in a tank before and think most people have. But thanks for letting us know because everyone (mostly) has said they have never heard of that.

jhart · « **Reply #16 on:** June 07, 2009, 13:51:26 »

Lol yeah I have thought about resorting to that so that I could beef up the reef a little more but for now I have a couple other projects that are comsuming me, anyways that is a STEAL!!! I'll have to keep my eyes open for the next time you have them on sale. A deal like that almost justifies tearing the tank halfway apart to get my coral banded outta there.

rayviv- I think we are about the only 2 people that this has happened to! I actually had forgotten about that incident until I read your post.

2024 Ohio Reef Frag Swap

Author Topic: Killer Cleaner Shrimp (Read 3637 times)