What to do with peppermint shrimp?

[bluegrass_reef12]

I recently bought two peppermint shrimp to rid my tank of approximately 25 aptasia… and they got them all within 48 hours! (at least the visible ones)

Now… they are irritating the crap out of my purple stylo, and I enjoy the coral more than the shrimp.

I have caught one and have him floating around in a specimen container. The other one has proven more difficult to catch.

Once I catch the other one, I don’t necessarily want to get rid of them in case the aptasia returns. However, I don’t want them irritating my corals.

Thoughts on what I should do? I do not have a sump to put them in as my tank uses HOB filter. I do have a 10 gallon tank w softies, but there is a neon dottyback in there that would most likely make them a snack.

I could always return them to the store and if needed buy them back, they are only $15 but this option is a PITA.

Anything thoughts or comments are appreciated!

 

[TX_REEF]

Is the shrimp very tiny or the dottyback very large? I wouldn't think it would try to eat a normal sized peppermint shrimp.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I'd say sump them but depending on how you're setup they'll walk right into the pump

Maybe put an enclosure in a sump?

 

[TX_REEF]

I'd say sump them but depending on how you're setup they'll walk right into the pump

Maybe an put an enclosure in a sump?

he mentioned no sump unfortunately

 

[bluegrass_reef12]

Is the shrimp very tiny or the dottyback very large? I wouldn't think it would try to eat a normal sized peppermint shrimp.

The one is about the same size as the fish and the other is bigger, they are pretty decently sized shrimp.

 

[bluegrass_reef12]

I'd say sump them but depending on how you're setup they'll walk right into the pump

Maybe an put an enclosure in a sump?

he mentioned no sump unfortunately

Yes, no sump.

 

[TX_REEF]

The one is about the same size as the fish and the other is bigger, they are pretty decently sized shrimp.

I don't think they would get eaten then

 

[BZOFIQ]

Yes, no sump.

Missed it. Yah, then I dont know....setup a species tank?

You said you dont want to get rid of them.

 

[bluegrass_reef12]

I don't think they would get eaten then

I’ll put them in then once the second one gets caught, he/she is pretty smart.

 

[bluegrass_reef12]

Missed it. Yah, then I dont know....setup a species tank?

You said you dont want to get rid of them.

Really just to have them in case some aptasia comes back I can plop them back in.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Really just to have them in case some aptasia comes back I can plop them back in.

I get it but you dont have sump and you dont want them in your main tank. So the only way would be to hang a fish "jail" on the back of one of your tanks to keep/feed them there.

 

[bluegrass_reef12]

I get it but you dont have sump and you dont want them in your main tank. So the only way would be to hang a fish "jail" on the back of one of your tanks to keep/feed them there.

I thought about this, but I think I’m going to put them into the 10 gallon even though the dottyback is there because they are larger than the fish. And hope for the best lol.