Are fish necessary for cleaner shrimp?

[tmscott89]

My LFS is running a special on all inverts next week and I really would like some skarlet cleaner shrimp to add to my tank. However right now , my fish are still in hospital tank for another 4-6 weeks from an ich outbreak. Will the shrimp be ok without any fish in the DT? I just want to make sure the parasites and other stuff they clean on or in the fish is essential to their diet and healthy living.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

No, they do not require fish.

 

[tmscott89]

No, they do not require fish.

Awesome, appreciate the quick response!

 

[kichimark]

I have a few cleaner shrimp in a nano tank at my school that have not had fish in them for a couple years. So if you were wondering about long term, they will be just fine as well.