Fire Shrimp VS Skunk Cleaner?

melypr1985 · Jun 24, 2015

That's weird. My fire shrimp only hid for the first few days. now he's skulking around the rocks all over and when I put my hand in the tank it always jumps on board and starts cleaning me. lol Maybe I got lucky

Ferozkaamil · Jun 24, 2015

melypr1985 said:
That's weird. My fire shrimp only hid for the first few days. now he's skulking around the rocks all over and when I put my hand in the tank it always jumps on board and starts cleaning me. lol Maybe I got lucky

U got lucky that's for sure

Eienna · Jun 25, 2015

I did have a skunk when I was first starting out, and I found I could avoid him stealing food if I target-fed him just before the corals.

ilovereefing <3 · Jun 25, 2015

I love my two skunks! They do steal food from my torch coral occasionally, but it's not a big deal. They even come clean my hands when I'm doing tank maintenance, and they know my target feeder so they always come out to greet me! They take good care of my fish, and I love their personalities...even more so because they aren't afraid of me!

Chris-tico · Jun 25, 2015

im in the same place.. i think im going for the Skunk Cleaner.!

Eienna · Jun 28, 2015

ilovereefing <3 said:
I love my two skunks! They do steal food from my torch coral occasionally, but it's not a big deal. They even come clean my hands when I'm doing tank maintenance, and they know my target feeder so they always come out to greet me! They take good care of my fish, and I love their personalities...even more so because they aren't afraid of me!

What do you feed your torch, BTW? I can never seem to get mine to feed.

ilovereefing <3 · Jun 28, 2015

Eienna said:
What do you feed your torch, BTW? I can never seem to get mine to feed.

I target feed whatever I'm feeding the fish (mysis, brine, LRS Reef Frenzy). It usually grabs the food and moves it towards its mouth...unless of course the shrimp beat it! Lol!

Eienna · Jun 29, 2015

ilovereefing <3 said:
I target feed whatever I'm feeding the fish (mysis, brine, LRS Reef Frenzy). It usually grabs the food and moves it towards its mouth...unless of course the shrimp beat it! Lol!

Hahaha! Well, I'll try again next I'm over there and see if he changes his mind about whether he wants food.

AdamNC · Jun 29, 2015

I've got both in my tank. After a while the Fire Shrimp will come out, I get to see mine all the time. The Skunk though is a thieving little ........, constantly trying to steal food from my corals. But he does clean my fish for me.

FreeEnergyReefer · Aug 24, 2020

If your putting them in a reef tank. Get a fire or skunk. Peppermint will absolutely pick at your favorite corals & clams. Skunk your talkin 50/50 chance. I've heard people say fire shrimp have picked slightly at different corals but I never seen it. IME Fire is always my #1 and the only shrimp I'll put in my mixed reefs. They clean your fish,pick up scraps and stay in they're Lane & looking good while they're doing it. Get a Fire or a pair.

ashiWaza · Aug 25, 2020

I highly recommend a fire shrimp! Absolutely beautiful to look at. I've heard people complain about them staying hidden, which they do, but you just have to plan your aquascape, or place them somewhere with a more visible hiding place. Here's a pic of mine under my arch. I just dug some of the sand out and angled the arch slightly to give a really good view underneath! Also in pic are my torch, hammer, chalice, and a small pom pom crab

terrapin3100 · Dec 3, 2020

saltyhog said:
I have both but only my fire shrimp cleans my fish. The fish always seek him out and ignore the two skunk cleaners. If your tank is big enough get both!

What size tank do you need for a fire or peppermint or skunk shrimp?

revenant · Dec 4, 2020

Oscaror said:
fires will rarely clean fish, why can't you get both, I have both

My fire shrimp pair actively clean my fish.. I have seen them jump on my sailfin and hang on for dear life while they clean her... They trap the flame hawk and pin him against the rocks while they clean him.. lol. They have a whole cleaning station setup and hang out very visibly... That said I was worried they would not behave this way but I have a VERY natural scape so maybe that helps them feel comfortable to behave this way... idk your actual mileage may vary but I recommend fire shrimp! They are soooo pretty.

edit: