Skunk vs Penderson cleaner shrimp

[BristleWormHater]

I'm deciding between the two. Does anyone have a preference between the two. Before anyone says neither, yes I know they are greedy little food goblins. I've actually only heard that about skunk cleaners though, is it true for both?

 

[exnisstech]

The Pedersen are pretty small. Full grown they are only about an inch. I ordered one years ago but was not aware of the small size and it was teeny. I never saw it again after adding it to the tank. Skunk cleaners are food thieves as you know. I've had them dig food out of the inside of lps. You didn't ask but I keep coral banded which are cool but stay hidden most of the time durring lights on. People say they attack fish but I don't buy it. They'll wave their claws around as a warning. My favorites are my peppermints. Active durring feeding time and I never see an aiptasia in any tank they are in. I heard of them bothering coral but I have not seen it. They're actually quite colorful as adults. This was one of mine this morning.

 

[DaJMasta]

How big is your tank?

I'm a big fan of pederson shrimp, but they are small and clear, so in a larger (>30G or so) tank, you'll just rarely see them. That said, it is adorable when they setup and see you come by and advertise their cleaning services, and I haven't seen one of the larger cleaners show a similar behavior.

Also worth mentioning: pederson shrimp are more sensitive to salinity changes than most shrimp, so be careful if it's fluctuating.

 

[Cthulukelele]

The Pedersen are pretty small. Full grown they are only about an inch. I ordered one years ago but was not aware of the small size and it was teeny. I never saw it again after adding it to the tank. Skunk cleaners are food thieves as you know. I've had them dig food out of the inside of lps. You didn't ask but I keep coral banded which are cool but stay hidden most of the time durring lights on. People say they attack fish but I don't buy it. They'll wave their claws around as a warning. My favorites are my peppermints. Active durring feeding time and I never see an aiptasia in any tank they are in. I heard of them bothering coral but I have not seen it. They're actually quite colorful as adults. This was one of mine this morning.

IME if peppermints don't have a regular supply of aiptasia to snack on they'll nibble fleshy parts of coral like most LPS and zoas. They seem to particularly enjoy the taste of euphyllia.

Still love them though and usually build around what they pick at. Skunk cleaners though food thieves and pecky at corals don't actually seem to eat the corals. They have probably the most personality of any invert out there. That imo more than makes up for their food thievery

 

[BristleWormHater]

How big is your tank?

I'm a big fan of pederson shrimp, but they are small and clear, so in a larger (>30G or so) tank, you'll just rarely see them. That said, it is adorable when they setup and see you come by and advertise their cleaning services, and I haven't seen one of the larger cleaners show a similar behavior.

Also worth mentioning: pederson shrimp are more sensitive to salinity changes than most shrimp, so be careful if it's fluctuating.

I have a 25 gallon lagoon, roughly 2'', 2'', 1"
Do you recommend just one or more than that?

 

[exnisstech]

IME if peppermints don't have a regular supply of aiptasia to snack on they'll nibble fleshy parts of coral like most LPS and zoas. They seem to particularly enjoy the taste of euphyllia.

Still love them though and usually build around what they pick at. Skunk cleaners though food thieves and pecky at corals don't actually seem to eat the corals. They have probably the most personality of any invert out there. That imo more than makes up for their food thievery

My cleaners were boring. I had two and at first they set up a station and would ride around on my naso cleaning her. Then for some reason (no new additions) they moved back behind the rocks and stopped cleaning fish. I probably have luck with the peppermints not bothering coral because I feed a lot. I feed PE mysis and rods with several pellets mixed in 3-4 times a day and they eat when ever I feed. Two pectinia are currently the only LPS in the tank so maybe they don't have a taste for those.

 

[Cthulukelele]

My cleaners were boring. I had two and at first they set up a station and would ride around on my naso cleaning her. Then for some reason (no new additions) they moved back behind the rocks and stopped cleaning fish. I probably have luck with the peppermints not bothering coral because I feed a lot. I feed PE mysis and rods with several pellets mixed in 3-4 times a day and they eat when ever I feed. Two pectinia are currently the only LPS in the tank so maybe they don't have a taste for those.

The feeding Def helps as does the not a lot of LPS. I only feed twice a day these days.

 

[DaJMasta]

I have a 25 gallon lagoon, roughly 2'', 2'', 1"
Do you recommend just one or more than that?

You could probably spot them well enough, multiple are no problem as they can get along in a group. If you have a larger LPS or nem they can host in, even better.

That said, there is another requirement: a lid. They can jump if startled. Fine mesh will at least mostly work (1/8"), but honestly with their body size, it is not 100% safe.

 

[JoJosReef]

I think one of the concerns with skunks are the meatier corals, as they will go in and start ripping the food out of their mouths, stressing out the corals.

I voted Pedersen, but I'm really on the fence about them. I've tried 3 different times to get Pedersen's from ReefCleaners, always opting for UPS overnight delivery, and none of them have ever made it. So, I take it they are very sensitive shrimp. Beautiful, though, and in a 25gal lagoon, I'd love to see a pair or trio of them!

 

[BristleWormHater]

You could probably spot them well enough, multiple are no problem as they can get along in a group. If you have a larger LPS or nem they can host in, even better.

That said, there is another requirement: a lid. They can jump if startled. Fine mesh will at least mostly work (1/8"), but honestly with their body size, it is not 100% safe.

I'll need to upgrade my mesh then.

 

[BristleWormHater]

One more question, I could have both right?