Will an urchin kill peppermint shrimp?

revhtree · May 6, 2013

Will an urchin kill peppermint shrimp?

The reason I ask is because I have never had a problem keeping these shrimp and they have always helped keep my tank clear of aiptasia. Over the past 3 months I have added like 8 pepp shrimp and they keep disappearing. Well I noticed that my urchin was all up on one that was in the corner alive. I keep knocking the urchin down and it keeps going to the same place. Actually touching the shrimp.

Thoughts?

VB68 · May 6, 2013

When we had urchins they never seemed to pay any attention to the peppermint shrimp

slapshot · May 6, 2013

No, they are algae eaters

mfinn · May 6, 2013

Didn't think they could move fast enough to even be a threat to a shrimp

revhtree · May 6, 2013

It's really weird. The shrimp won't run. Maybe he's not threatened.

that novice guy · May 6, 2013

well do you have any other fish in that tank that would love to make a meal of a peppermint?

revhtree · May 6, 2013

I am now thinking that maybe an anthias I have might have been killing them. The shrimp now I believe was trying to stay close to the urchin. Urchin moved and the shrimp went an was clinging on for life on the teeth pf the overflow. I saw the anthias darting up at him. Grrrrrrr!!