Where to get peppermints? Algae Barn's too small

[sanzz18]

So I ordered 6 peppermint shrimp to help clear out aiptasia in my 220.6. I was super pumped because I heard the ones from Algae Barn do a pretty good job. Got my shipment in today. It is my fault that I did not read that they come in so small, like a 1/2 inch in size. I dumped them in and my solar wrasse ate 1, possibly 2 of them. They never bother the cleaners or fire shrimp I have in there but they are also full grown shrimp. Maybe I should have dumped them in when the lights went out.

Any ideas if the rest will stay hidden during the day and have a good chance of survival? Should I order more from them? Or is there anywhere I can order larger ones?

 

[Spare time]

Having dumped them in may have caused the issue. You need to place them by hand in some place where they can hide. Otherwise the fish will think they are normal fish food

 

[sanzz18]

Having dumped them in may have caused the issue. You need to place them by hand in some place where they can hide. Otherwise the fish will think they are normal fish food

Yeah totally agree with you. I think 3 or 4 potentially made it. I will order more. So place them in with a net or something and bring them close to a hiding spot?

 

[fusch13]

I got 2 at reeftopia.com. They were great size too. Cleared tank of aptasia.

 

[sanzz18]

I got 2 at reeftopia.com. They were great size too. Cleared tank of aptasia.

Awesome, I will check them out. You left them in there after they cleared the tank? If so, did you notice them bothering corals?

 

[dennis romano]

I received small ones that I was afraid that the fish would eat. Placed them in a terrarium with a piece of rock with aiptasia. Then, placed the terrarium in the display tank. When they ate all of the aiptasia, I switched with another covered rock. The shrimp grew and got a taste of aiptasia. When big enough, placed them in the tank and within a month ate every single aiptasia.

 

[sanzz18]

So, I know they are tiny so I can obviously just not be able to see them… I looked both nights in the dark with only a red flashlight and cannot see any. Doesn’t mean they aren’t there but also not sure if they were all snatched when I dumped them.

I had bought 4 from my LFS for my sump awhile back that were much much bigger, they cleared out all the sump of aiptasia they can get to.

My question is: Do I buy a bunch from ORA again knowing exactly what variation of peppermint they are, how small they are, and add them all at night in the pitch black so none are seen by any of the fish…or… Do I buy a bunch from my LFS, not knowing exactly what variation they are (I know they get them from Florida and that they are not Camel shrimp), are bigger, and had success with them in my sump.

 

[dennis romano]

Go ORA. That way, you know what you are getting. I believe that there are eight or ten species of peppermint shrimp from around Florida. Not all will eat aiptasia. Some will eat your corals. Another possible problem is that you may introduce pathogens from wild shrimp.

 

[xCry0x]

Reefcleaners has never done me wrong.

It's where I have bought all my tank cleaning inverts for years.

 

[Lenett]

So I ordered 6 peppermint shrimp to help clear out aiptasia in my 220.6. I was super pumped because I heard the ones from Algae Barn do a pretty good job. Got my shipment in today. It is my fault that I did not read that they come in so small, like a 1/2 inch in size. I dumped them in and my solar wrasse ate 1, possibly 2 of them. They never bother the cleaners or fire shrimp I have in there but they are also full grown shrimp. Maybe I should have dumped them in when the lights went out.

Any ideas if the rest will stay hidden during the day and have a good chance of survival? Should I order more from them? Or is there anywhere I can order larger ones?

Aquaculturenurseryfarms.com They were big enough and will grow. Great little guys! Love them!

 

[Lenett]

Best to introduce all creatures at night so can adjust. What I've been told anyway.