Post Aiptasia peppermint care

[Maho.B]

Hello. Approx 3 weeks ago I bought 9 peppermint shrimp as a last resort to a crazy Aiptasia problem, like a hundred+ anenome (that I could see) in my 110 gallon system. Within 3 weeks I can't find a single Aiptasia! They even ate the really big ones. I still see some in my reef mat and I'm sure they're probably in the overflow and plumbing which is fine with these shrimp in the DT they will clearly handle any that pop up. But now that they're gone the shrimp will need food. Do you feed them like the other inhabitants? Is it weird to think if they're constantly getting fed they will lose their "taste" for Aiptasia as they return? Will feeding them regularly. Keep them from turning on some Coral?

Any post Aiptasia peppermint shrimp care would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

[exnisstech]

I have some in two tanks. Mine all come out and grab food when I feed the fish. I also see them out and about at night foraging.

 

[Bosreef]

There not like nudis who only consume aptasia they will forage like any other shrimp no special care needed. And when an aptisia pops up they will eat it up. Always good to keep some as part of the eco system not just when you have an aptasia problem.

 

[Maho.B]

Did it take them awhile to come out at feeding time and grab food? Since mine have only been in the tank for 3 weeks maybe they will start soon. Do you have coral? If so it seems like them foraging at night is adequate to keep them from turning on your coral?

 

[19Mateo83]

I feed spectrum pellets and mine come out with the rest of the cleanup crew to eat the extra that sinks. They keep me aptasia free

 

[Maho.B]

Ok this is good to know, thanks!

 

[Subsea]

Continue feeding your tank. Peppermint shrimp are opportunistic.

 

[exnisstech]

Mine didn't come out to grab food much when they were small. Mine are huge now and a beautiful red color.

 

[Maho.B]

Yeah mine are quite big too, probably full grown and very red. Because of their size was originally why I thought they may need additional feedings because I don't know how much scraps there are left over for nine of those fellas!

 

[exnisstech]

You could drop some pellets in after lights out when fish are bed down and they'll find them.

 

[Maho.B]

Good call. When the lights are almost off all the fish (except the clowns) find they're sleeping spot, feet time to feed the night critters! Thanks

 

[mdpitts]

Mine didn't come out to grab food much when they were small. Mine are huge now and a beautiful red color.

Mine didn't come out to grab food much when they were small. Mine are huge now and a beautiful red color.

Wow. That's a pretty shrimp. Wondering if you feed your tank anything to help with coloration. Do they color up over time? Mine is not a dull color but I wouldn't consider him that deep red.

 

[exnisstech]

Wow. That's a pretty shrimp. Wondering if you feed your tank anything to help with coloration. Do they color up over time? Mine is not a dull color but I wouldn't consider him that deep red.

Mine have definatly colored up more as they matured. TBO I've never seen any others this color but most I see are smaller. They eat like pigs and come out for food when I feed the fish. I feed a mix of PE mysis, lrs, rods, formula 1 and 2 pellets and dk1 pellets. It could be nutrition related as I feed a lot, sometimes 3-4 times a day because my fish are beggers and have me trained lol. This is one when it was younger before it turned dark red.