Fire Shrimp VS Skunk Cleaner?

[Eienna]

I want a shrimp, but I'm having trouble deciding between a skunk cleaner shrimp or a fire shrimp. I do want one that will probably clean the fish, but I don't know if fires do that? I do know they're prettier...and what are the differences temperament-wise?

 

[Oscaror]

fires will rarely clean fish, why can't you get both, I have both

 

[Eienna]

fires will rarely clean fish, why can't you get both, I have both

I might. I have a lot of inverts such as hermit crabs and bristleworms already, so getting two might encourage them to go for the coral's food. I will probably be target-feeding them a little bit, but....I'm thinking one will be sufficient. I did hear something about either fires or skunks doing better in pairs, but I don't recall which one it was...

 

[saltyhog]

I have both but only my fire shrimp cleans my fish. The fish always seek him out and ignore the two skunk cleaners. If your tank is big enough get both!

 

[LetItReef]

I have a pair of Skunk w/c are
known to steal food but active and I have 1 Fire that does not steal food but hides most of the time.

 

[Tahoe61]

Almost all the Fire Shrimp I have had are reclusive. Mine does however clean my damsel. Fire Shrimp, Lysmata debelius, are my favoritesof all the shrimp types commonly available.

 

[acidtablockshifty]

i would get a peppermint all day i have 2 fire shrimp and had to get a peppermint to work on aptaisia, although it was cool to watch the fish swim up to the fire shrimp to get cleaned, now i have both but i need more peppermint shrimp, also the fire shrimp make sure you introduce it/them where you want them they seem to stay in the one spot introduced at, for like eternity, they will leave that spot to get some food but go right back to it, very shy. the peppermint on the other hand goes wherever it wants, the one i got actually took down an aptaisia the size of its body tentacle by tentacle, the aptaisia grew back its tentacles in like two days, peppermint hit again, grew back, hit it again,..... now that ones gone its on to the next one, its like saving the small ones till they get bigger lol

 

[Eienna]

So I guess it's a toss-up...I just get whichever I like XD
The tank's probably big enough for two, but...nah. If the fires are reclusive I think I'll stick with the skunk. I'd like to actually see it out and about.

 

[Eienna]

A peppermint might also be a good idea, seeing as I have an aiptasia or two the berghia missed...last time I had both the skunk tended to attack the peppermint, but I suppose it was just too small of a tank at 20g.

 

[The Kahnasaur]

Go with a coral banded shrimp. It won't clean your fish and they usually end up killing every invert they can catch, but they're so dang cool. If you want something that's the exact opposite of what you're looking for, that's the shrimp to get.

 

[Eienna]

Go with a coral banded shrimp. It won't clean your fish and they usually end up killing every invert they can catch, but they're so **** cool. If you want something that's the exact opposite of what you're looking for, that's the shrimp to get.

LOL thanks but no thanks XD

 

[RaeRae]

Get a skunk. Fire shrimp will disappear. And you will have spent all that money on a shrimp you will hardly see.

 

[Ferozkaamil]

I got both
Fire shrimps are shy and like to spend day time under rocks......
And skunk cleaner shrimp are cool and always on work cleaning and chasing fish go clean them

 

[Shep]

A peppermint might also be a good idea, seeing as I have an aiptasia or two the berghia missed...last time I had both the skunk tended to attack the peppermint, but I suppose it was just too small of a tank at 20g.

Gotta watch out for peppermint shrimp having a taste for LPS corals. Oh and I have a bonded pair of fire shrimp and they are not reclusive, they will just chill under a rock arch and come out for food. They are by far my favorite shrimp I have ever had. I will give them each 1/4 of a frozen shrimp and they just go nuts, its so funny to watch.

 

[cginter]

Gotta watch out for peppermint shrimp having a taste for LPS corals. Oh and I have a bonded pair of fire shrimp and they are not reclusive, they will just chill under a rock arch and come out for food. They are by far my favorite shrimp I have ever had. I will give them each 1/4 of a frozen shrimp and they just go nuts, its so funny to watch.

[emoji121]️ is right. Peppermint shrimp do develop a taste for Lps. I wouldn't put another one in my tank if you paid me. Both fire and skunk shrimp are good. I have both in my tank and they both clean fish.

 

[Oceansize]

I have a pair of skunk and out of all the life I've put in my tank, they're the ones I'm most happy with. Endlessly entertaining to watch, very active, and will clean anything that will let them. Yesterday I saw my tang swimming around with one of the skunks hanging upside down from it, with its claws in the tang's mouth. That was hilarious. Also, if I put my hand in the tank, the skunks will swim onto it and start cleaning. I could feel their tiny little claws digging under my fingernails...tickled more than anything else but very entertaining. The point: I like the skunk shrimp.

 

[ethridge78]

Have both fire stays hid all day and skunk is always out and about but if you target feed a lot of corals the skunk steals food bad .Haven't had good luck with any others.

 

[Eienna]

Thanks, guys. I'll go with the skunk, then. :)

 

[Ebone]

My skunk reminds me of the butler from Mr. Deeds... also chasing and sneaking up on fish and me, just wants to clean clean clean. He may be one of my favorite additions always making a scene and fun to watch.... (though he will steal food)

 

[Ferozkaamil]

Fire shrimp are way too shy..... and won't come out in public hahaha
in my opinion better to have both Fire shrimp and skunk cleaner shrimp I got both and they do perfect job together