which shrimp should i get?

[thedandandandy]

I am new to the hobby and have been reading up on shrimp and all the wonderful things they do. So, after researching the acclimation process, I think I am ready to get a few. I am wanting two different species that do different things, cleaning wise. I'd like a Pederson/ Anemone Shrimp, later on when I am able to get an anemone, but for now I was wondering what everyone suggests as far as a shrimp I can get now, that will work well with a Pederson Shrimp and that for now will provide both fish cleaning and substrate/ algae/ uneaten food cleanup. The web pages I have been to give completely different information on each shrimp, so it's really confusing. It's even to the point where I will google a specific species and, while it will say it's giving me information on a peppermint shrimp, it's definitely showing me a fire red shrimp in every picture. HELP!

 

[Hyprviperx]

if they are your first shrimp in a new tank and your new to this i wouldnt spend too much on the first maybe a peppermint shrimp (around 6$)to make sure the params are right... if all goes well with the peppermint then id suggest skunk cleaners (around 25$) or blood/fire shrimp (around 30$)... some of the coral bandeds can pick on other ornimental shrimp, also if its a coral only tank you can go with sexy shrimp, theyre really small so if you plan on having larger fish id stay away from the sexy

 

[Hyprviperx]

also i use dr. foster and smith for the info on fish/inverts, they have good info on the site. also i think wetwebmedia should have some good stuff on it

 

[thedandandandy]

oh awesome! thanks for the info. but do peppermint shrimp and eventually blood/ fire shrimp eat the algae on sand and rock as well as meaty bits? that's my main need for the shrimp.

 

[FishScale]

harlequin shrimp.

 

[Tabasco1]

Harlequin shrimp are beautiful but feed exclusively on the tube feet of starfish and from what I understand can also feed on the tube feet of urchins. So unless you are prepared to provide that diet, these should not be considered as they cannot be weened onto any other food.

 

[bct15]

In my experience, most shrimp tend to eat meaty items...I can't think of a single shrimp that eats algae. That being said, peppermint shrimp are good starter shrimp and do pretty good work cleaning at night. That is what I suggest before you drop some serious coin on a more expensive shrimp. Don't get a harlequin shrimp, they are very specialized...