My Cleaner Shrimp is a Jerk. What should I replace it with?

[ZzyzxRiver]

I have a 16g Biocube, and I’ve realized that the skunk cleaner shrimp I added does not have the vibe I’m going for. I appreciate that he absolutely devours every last morsel of extra food, but he also harasses my peppermint shrimp and stomps on the zoas all day long. I’m looking for suggestions on what to replace him with (doesn’t have to be a shrimp).

Current tank population:
2 percs
1 red scooter blenny
1 yellow watchman goby
1 peppermint shrimp
2 sexy shrimp
1 emerald crab
1 strawberry conch
4 cerith snails
2 astraea snails
1 Trochus snail

I keep decorative macroalgae so while I’m sure an urchin would be neat, I’d be very nervous about it killing those. But algae eaters in general would be great.

Any other suggestions?

The vibe killer in question:



FTS:

 

[Doctorgori]

The scarlets are less active, but then again they hide more…
I had a pedersons or whatever the Florida cleaners are called, mine ended up as a snack for something but those might work in lieu of….
Usually most of the Florida/Gulf vendors carry them
Coral Banded shrimp can make their presence known, but they can turn jerk also….added, or not…these can be risky with other shrimp

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

The scarlets are less active, but then again they hide more…
I had a pedersons or whatever the Florida cleaners are called, mine ended up as a snack for something but those might work in lieu of….
Usually most of the Florida/Gulf vendors carry them
Coral Banded shrimp can make their presence known, but they can turn jerk also….added, or not…these can be risky with other shrimp

Do you mean the scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp? That’s what I have, unless something else is also called a scarlet shrimp.

 

[Dburr1014]

I just lost my 7yo coral banded shrimp, they are nice.
Or a blood shrimp. Love the color on them too.

 

[Doctorgori]

I just lost my 7yo coral banded shrimp, they are nice.
Or a blood shrimp. Love the color on them too.

Do you mean the scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp? That’s what I have, unless something else is also called a scarlet shrimp.

Sorry: meant Blood shrimp or the Red polka dot ones…
I call the stripped ones, skunk cleaners
I have both, clearly the skunks are more visible than the bloods…
Coral banded shrimp, trust at your own risk IME

 

[exnisstech]

You have other shrimp. Why does it have to be replaced with anything? Maybe just rehome it and add something later that you find appealing.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

You have other shrimp. Why does it have to be replaced with anything? Maybe just rehome it and add something later that you find appealing.

I’m not in a rush, but I haven’t seen much variety of shrimp in the LFS around here. Just looking for ideas for the future. I’m rehoming it with a friend today actually.

 

[jayala12]

Pom Pom crabs are awesome and don’t mess with anyone or anything. I have 2 that get along great in a 20 gallon nuvo. They are always cheering with their anemones lol. Cool creatures

 

[Lavey29]

So he cleans 24/7 but that's not good enough? He's not stomping on your zoas, he's cleaning the garbage from the garden.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

So he cleans 24/7 but that's not good enough? He's not stomping on your zoas, he's cleaning the garbage from the garden.

I didn’t say he doesn’t help out—I said he has bad vibes, haha. Everything else in my tank is relaxed and casual but the cleaner shrimp darts around like crazy all day and pesters everyone. He’s interesting for sure but like I said… not the vibes. Don’t feel bad for him, he’s upgrading to a tank 3x the size with a much more experienced reefer than I.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Pom Pom crabs are awesome and don’t mess with anyone or anything. I have 2 that get along great in a 20 gallon nuvo. They are always cheering with their anemones lol. Cool creatures

Those are cute! I forgot about them. I’ll have to check to make sure the emerald crab won’t get mad about it, but that’s a good idea.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I've had really good luck with Coral Banded Shrimp. But as stated, it could have have been just that. Luck.

 

[Lavey29]

I didn’t say he doesn’t help out—I said he has bad vibes, haha. Everything else in my tank is relaxed and casual but the cleaner shrimp darts around like crazy all day and pesters everyone. He’s interesting for sure but like I said… not the vibes. Don’t feel bad for him, he’s upgrading to a tank 3x the size with a much more experienced reefer than I.

Well that's good. Did you actually see him cleaning your fish? That's what one of their priority jobs is.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Well that's good. Did you actually see him cleaning your fish? That's what one of their priority jobs is.

I’ve never seen any of the fish let him come near—and I watch the tank a lot. His main activity when not eating lots of mysis shrimp has been to terrorize the peppermint shrimp any time it comes out from behind the rock in the corner my GSP is on. The pep has successfully defeated aptaisia in my tank so I prefer him. Maybe I just got a bully cleaner. I dunno.

I’m loving my emerald crab, but I don’t want to put two in a tank my size. Maybe a pithos crab? Not as cute but also hard workers I hear.

 

[Lavey29]

I’ve never seen any of the fish let him come near—and I watch the tank a lot. His main activity when not eating lots of mysis shrimp has been to terrorize the peppermint shrimp any time it comes out from behind the rock in the corner my GSP is on. The pep has successfully defeated aptaisia in my tank so I prefer him. Maybe I just got a bully cleaner. I dunno.

I’m loving my emerald crab, but I don’t want to put two in a tank my size. Maybe a pithos crab? Not as cute but also hard workers I hear.

My fish would pose next to mine for thorough spa treatment.