Sleeper Goby Vs. Cleaner Shrimp

[AubreyLin]

I’ve had a cleaner shrimp for quite some time, in fact I was just commenting to my husband how he is the largest and longest living one I’d ever had. Well, I just got a yellow headed sleeper goby Friday, and this morning my cleaner shrimp is nowhere to be found. I didn’t think the goby would be a threat to my shrimp, but he’s the only one it could’ve been. Has anyone else had their sleeper goby prey on their shrimp?? Should I even bother getting a new cleaner or would it be a waste of $$??

 

[reeferfoxx]

I've heard that those gobies can be terrors. Most report they smother corals with sand. Not sure about the shrimp. Curious, how long has he been alive?

 

[AubreyLin]

I've heard that those gobies can be terrors. Most report they smother corals with sand. Not sure about the shrimp. Curious, how long has he been alive?

I wanna say I’ve had him for 4-5 years. I was prepared to be brushing sand/rocks off my corals from the stupid goby, but definitely not for him to eat my shrimp. :(

 

[AubreyLin]

Ok, false alarm! Shrimp came out from wherever it was hiding!

 

[Katrina71]

Great news! :)

 

[reeferfoxx]

4-5 years

Wow! That is a long time. 3-4 years is average.

 

[madweazl]

It may have molted; they tend to disappear for a short period when this occurs.

 

[AubreyLin]

I typically see his molts, and he rarely hides... especially when I feed the tank, he’s always front and center and he didn’t come out for 2 rounds of food, which is really strange! Maybe he moltedninnprivate this time, but typically he leaves his shell plain as day.