Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Help!

[thedandandandy]

I just got a cleaner shrimp and while he's acting content, he's in a spot in the back of my tank where fish don't really go, thus defeating his purpose in my tank (though he is awfully fun to watch and is very cute). Will he move around the aquarium until he finds a place to "set up shop" once he's really at home in the tank? He's behind a rock at the back of the glass and while a couple of the fish venture back there, I've only seen him clean my angel. . . once. And even then I looked like it was difficult for both of them to "assume the position". I know I probably should just be patient, but if he's already chosen this place as where he will stay, he won't be able to clean any fish.

 

[swannyson7]

Assuming that you don't have any fish that will pick on him, such as some of the "with caution" wrasses, he should venture out to clean your fish once he gets more comfortable.

 

[mallorieGgator]

Mine did the same thing. It took him a few weeks to get comfortable and he now moves around the entire tank.

 

[matty0206]

I agree with the above. Mine hid up under my ATO float switch for a week or so. Now he climbs on my damsel daily. Keep in mind that we keep these critters in a captive environment and they adapt to that. In the home aquarium they much prefer to eat the food you feed the fish and corals to cleaning the fish. My advice would be to enjoy them for what they are instead of what they should do.

 

[Blake11rebel]

+1 to matty

 

[mallorieGgator]

Yeah, mine doesn't clean any more. He steals food from corals instead. lol

 

[k2parkstar]

+ 1 I have a food thief shrimp. Haven't seen him clean a thing in forever