Peppermint Shrimp from LFS better then nicer chains?

68Wreefer · Apr 5, 2022

So I have purchased peppermint shrimp in the past and have been 3/3 on getting them to eat aiptasia. I was in WWC the other day and decided to purchase a couple of peppermints as I have an aiptasia problem again. This time however the shrimp seem to refuse to touch it even though I held off feeding them as much as possible for the past week. It dawned on me that every LFS I had ever purchased peppermints from was much less "clean" than WWC. It made me think back and remember that most of them actually had rocks with aiptasia in the peppermint shrimp tank. This is mostly just a general observation and I was wondering if anyone else has a similar experience. Has anyone else had better luck with them from "dirtier" stores?

T-J · Apr 5, 2022

1: None of my peps ever ate an aiptasia.
2: Possibly that your LFS has "true" pep shrimp vs look-alikes
3: Starving an animal to clean up your mess isn't cool IMO.
4. Get yourself some Berghia nudi's, a filefish or a CBB (if you have a big enough tank) to take care of Aiptasia.

Lavey29 · Apr 5, 2022

Sounds like a reasonable conclusion. I bought 3 from my LFS. 2 in the DT haven't done much but the one in the sump cleaned up my aptasia. All 3 came from the same LFS.

68Wreefer · Apr 5, 2022

T-J said:
1: None of my peps ever ate an aiptasia.
2: Possibly that your LFS has "true" pep shrimp vs look-alikes
3: Starving an animal to clean up your mess isn't cool IMO.
4. Get yourself some Berghia nudi's, a filefish or a CBB (if you have a big enough tank) to take care of Aiptasia.

I specifically worded this "as much as possible" to avoid the misinterpretation I was starving them. I did not make this clear enough. The tank has still been getting fed. I have, however, been avoiding full bellies with no interest in scavenging. (I can't imagine aiptasia is more appetizing than frozen foods) Your point still stands, but I assure you they are far from starving. I am coming off as defensive here because I am. I would have harsh words for anyone who didn't feed shrimp for a week as well. Thank you for calling it out.
This is, unfortunately, in a 10-gallon cube, so my options are limited. I might have to try a nudi. Do you have any experience with them? I'm afraid of putting one in a tank so small because I've heard it will nuke the tank if it dies. Is this true?