Peppermint Shrimp

Redrider · Nov 4, 2018

Hi all, new guy here. I’ve been cycling a 90 acrylic L shaped tank. Went through the diatom bloom and thought things were great.
Today I stumbled on a photo showing
Aiptasia Anemones
My question is: do Peppermint shrimp play nice with skunk cleaners and red fire shrimp. I have two of each.
I’d like to eradicate the anemone without doing it chemically or by injection. Peppermint Shrimp are my choice as long as I don’t end up with dead shrimp.

VB313 · Nov 4, 2018

Never had a fire shrimp but my cleaner and peppermint get along just fine

cromag27 · Nov 5, 2018

i have. it had any issues. they may compete for food though.

JumboShrimp · Nov 5, 2018

I’ve had them with Cleaner shrimp, but a Coral Banded shrimp will eat them for dinner. Can’t say about a Fire shrimp.

Oscaror · Nov 5, 2018

Redrider said:
Hi all, new guy here. I’ve been cycling a 90 acrylic L shaped tank. Went through the diatom bloom and thought things were great.
Today I stumbled on a photo showing
Aiptasia Anemones
My question is: do Peppermint shrimp play nice with skunk cleaners and red fire shrimp. I have two of each.
I’d like to eradicate the anemone without doing it chemically or by injection. Peppermint Shrimp are my choice as long as I don’t end up with dead shrimp.

Welcome to R2R! Sorry I can't help with ur question ;Sorry

cracker · Nov 5, 2018

Welcome RedRider ! I think size match would be the best to make sure. I'm about to buy 2 or three for apastia & see if they will eat these pests .

eatbreakfast · Nov 5, 2018

Peppermint shrimp can be hit-or-miss on how well they eliminate aiptasia.

They are perfectly compatible with fire and regular cleaner shrimp.

Redrider · Nov 5, 2018

eatbreakfast said:
Peppermint shrimp can be hit-or-miss on how well they eliminate aiptasia.

They are perfectly compatible with fire and regular cleaner shrimp.

Thank to all that responded. I’ll be getting a couple peppermint shrimp and find out.
Hopefully they will take care of Aiptasia

Redrider · Nov 10, 2018

On my mission at the LFS, I found peppermint shrimp. I also found a copper banded Butterfly that begged me to take him home.
Now, after five days, or rather nights at home, I found a Fire Red shrimp disembowled and eaten at the bottom of the tank.
Is this to be expected? I’ve been adding in a Saltwater variety pack which includes shrimp primarily for the Butterfly. In addition, I believe it was the Butterfly that eliminated almost all the Aiptasia Anemone.
So while I’m pleased with the Aiptasia being eliminated, I am not happy that my Fire Red Shrimp met his demise.
Thoughts anyone?

eatbreakfast · Nov 10, 2018

Are you sure it's not just a molt?

Redrider · Nov 10, 2018

I honestly hadn’t considered that. I suppose it’s a possibility. The shell didn’t contain any meat. The shell (in two pieces) was out in the middle of the tank. I would think they’d shed under cover.
Regardless,not much I can do about it. On the plus side, the peppermint and cleaner shrimp are alive and well.

Firemanreefkeeper · Nov 10, 2018

That looks like an empty shell from a molt. Mine does it about every 3 weeks. Keep an eye out for him. They tend to hide until the new skin hardens

eatbreakfast · Nov 10, 2018

Looks like a molt to me.

JumboShrimp · Nov 10, 2018

Classic signs of a molt; which is not to say that after THAT, someone in the tank didn’t snack on him. But I’m optimistic you’ll find him. Let us know!

Redrider · Nov 10, 2018

Firemanreefkeeper said:
That looks like an empty shell from a molt. Mine does it about every 3 weeks. Keep an eye out for him. They tend to hide until the new skin hardens

I think you’re correct. I found the two red fire shrimp. The shell couldn’t be from another species. I think you solved the mystery.
Thank you Firemanreefkeeper.

Firemanreefkeeper · Nov 10, 2018

You are welcome. That's what we are all here for. To help and get through this together.

ace1396 · Nov 14, 2018

My red legged hermit crabs are actually eating the aptasia off my rocks in my tank. They can't get the ones off my glass though. So I get those

Redrider · Nov 14, 2018

Thanks for the response. My Aiptasia problem is gone. Not sure who ate it, but as far as I can tell, it’s all gone.
I believe it was the copper banded Butterfly who I managed to kill. Regardless, all the shrimp are fine and Aiptasia is gone.