What is your Favorite Shrimp?

[CJO]

I recently lost my Fire Shrimp and have been trying to decide whether to replace him with another or something different and thought I'd ask for some options. I have a Neon Dottyback, so the shrimp would have to be fairly tough or big enough that it doesn't get eaten! It also has to be reef safe and fish safe, so I'm probably going to stay away from a Banded Coral Shrimp.

I'd appreciate any opinions!

Thanks,
CJ

 

[btkrausen]

I've always done the cleaner/skunk shrimp in my tanks. I like the scavenging they do, and it always amazing the onlookers of my tank :)

 

[el richie]

Aguachile!!!!! Lol jk I like the fireshrimp

 

[greg0385]

i like the cleaner shrimps, they have benefits to the tank and are always out in the open and looking to be fed.

 

[swannyson7]

I've always liked the look of Harlequin shrimp, but their diet makes them a hastle to keep. That being said, I find the sybiotic relationships beteen pristol shrimp/gobies and between skunk cleaners/fish amazing.

 

[WrasseSandwich]

Cleaner shrimp

 

[xgame2k]

 

[btkrausen]

Harlequins are by far the best looking shrimp, but I couldn't buy starfish just to feed them. Too bad they can't just scavenge like the other guys :)

 

[subielover]

 

[btkrausen]

Wow, thats awesome looking. Do you buy starfish to feed him? If so, what kind do you get?

 

[TyreeUM]

we used to feed our's chocolate chip starfish from petco....he lived over 2 years on them but lost him in a tank move and opted not to get another one as I kinda felt bad killing starfish like we did...used to feed him one leg at a time - kinda cruel.

 

[btkrausen]

we used to feed our's chocolate chip starfish from petco....he lived over 2 years on them but lost him in a tank move and opted not to get another one as I kinda felt bad killing starfish like we did...used to feed him one leg at a time - kinda cruel.

Ouch, yeah, I just couldn't do that, haha. The only way I would do it is if I could buy starfish frozen, like cut up already. I'd at least feel better about it, although I know they died just the same way.

 

[swannyson7]

we used to feed our's chocolate chip starfish from petco....he lived over 2 years on them but lost him in a tank move and opted not to get another one as I kinda felt bad killing starfish like we did...used to feed him one leg at a time - kinda cruel.

Don't the CC starfish grow their legs back like most starfish? Maybe you could get a bunch of them in your sump and just chop a leg off one, and then a different one. With a few CCs it might give you enough time between cutting them to heal?

 

[subielover]

Wow, thats awesome looking. Do you buy starfish to feed him? If so, what kind do you get?

He is fed asterina stars regularly. I get them from my lfs.

 

[btkrausen]

He is fed asterina stars regularly. I get them from my lfs.

Do you just put the in there live, or are they dead when you feed them to the shrimp?

 

[subielover]

They are live. It only takes him a few days to polish off 20-30 stars.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/invert-forum/53286-harlequin-shrimp-show-off-thread.html

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Do I really have to say it? :xd:

 

[subielover]

lol

 

[TyreeUM]

Don't the CC starfish grow their legs back like most starfish? Maybe you could get a bunch of them in your sump and just chop a leg off one, and then a different one. With a few CCs it might give you enough time between cutting them to heal?

Maybe you could do that, he would eat at east one whole starfish a month and I bet he could have eaten a lot more, so I am guessing you would have to have quite a few of them to keep up production...

 

[CJO]

Wow, this thread has just taken off. I had considered the Harlequin shrimp, but really don't feel like butchering starfish to keep them fed. The Bongo is real cool, but would be a snack for my dottyback. Looks like another fire shrimp or two might be in order.

Thanks,
CJ