Cleaner wrasse vs. Clam

GeoHawk · Sep 30, 2011

I have a cleaner wrasse, who eats like a pig, that is now deciding that my clam is part of its appetite. Anyone know how to deter him from picking at the clam. If not what do you keep the clam or the cleaner wrasse. I am having a hard time deciding what to do. I like them both about the same, but have had the clam alot longer.

FishLipz · Sep 30, 2011

You could try feeding him more. Given that you have a cleaner wrasse that's eating a captive diet well, I'd keep him over the clam. Most of them never make it long in captivity. By the way, what are you feeding him?

luke33 · Sep 30, 2011

Yea, cleaner wrasse and clam is a bad combo as they are mantle pickers. I had a cleaner for 4yrs until he carpet dove. Personally i'd keep the wrasse as they are awesome little fish if you find one that will eat. I wouldn't recommend them as a fish though.

skinz78 · Sep 30, 2011

I'd keep the clam over the Wrasse but that is just me...

GeoHawk · Sep 30, 2011

FishLipz said:
You could try feeding him more. Given that you have a cleaner wrasse that's eating a captive diet well, I'd keep him over the clam. Most of them never make it long in captivity. By the way, what are you feeding him?

He eats everything, flakes, pellets, bloodworms, mysis, clams :(............I think he has been in captivity for a while, because I got him from an LFS display, as I saw him eating I asked if they would sell him to me.

SDguy · Sep 30, 2011

Is the clam healthy? Is he actually eating the clam, or stuff on/around the clam?

GeoHawk · Oct 1, 2011

The clam is/was healthy, it now has several small holes in it from where the cleaner has taken chunks out of it.

Alistar · Oct 1, 2011

Sounds like you will have to separate them...

Bandomo · Oct 1, 2011

I had the same problem with a small blue neon goby. I chose to get rid of the $8 fish vs the $65 clam. Next, I'll be trying a captive breed neon goby to see if that helps. Good Luck!

skinz78 · Oct 1, 2011

While you try to decide on what to do get a Gatorade bottle and cut it in half, fill one half full of 1/4" holes and then place it over the clam for a shield. This should keep the clam safe from the fish.

GeoHawk · Oct 1, 2011

The clam is now in my refuium. I am trying to catch the cleaner wrasse, but I am having little success.

GeoHawk · Oct 2, 2011

Put him and put him in the sump today. I think I will see if I can sell him, but if not I may have to try and sell the clam.

DaveA · Oct 2, 2011

FishLipz said:
Most of them never make it long in captivity.

What don't make it in captivity? The cleaner wrasse or the clam?

Spsfan · Oct 2, 2011

+1 on keeping the clam you've had it longer an plus their worth more but I would decide soon before the clam catches the fish like mine did

Reed639 · Oct 2, 2011

Show Me A Pick Of The Clam Then I Will Be Able To Tell You!

GeoHawk · Oct 2, 2011

As requested

Cleaner wrasse is in the sump, clam is back in main tank and looks happy. Still not sure what to do, because I have been trying to find a cleaner wrasse that eats for a long time, but my clam has been with me longer then most of my pieces.

GeoHawk · Oct 2, 2011

DaveA said:
What don't make it in captivity? The cleaner wrasse or the clam?

Hes talking about the cleaner wrasse. Many of them die of starvation, because they don't take to other foods. In the ocean they usually live off of parasites from other fish.