Livestock compatibility

[jigsaw1982]

I was thinking of getting a Peppermint Shrimp to attempt to control the aiptasia that is taking over my tank. I have a Decorator Crab and I was wandering if there will be any problems with the Peppermint Shrimp getting along with the Decorator Crab?

 

[dvara78]

Using pepermint to control aiptasia will be hit or miss.

 

[jigsaw1982]

Dvara78;711245 wrote: Using pepermint to control aiptasia will be hit or miss.

bratliff;711247 wrote: From what little I know about crabs and shrimp, crabs are fairly opportunistic eaters, meaning they will eat nearly anything they can get their claws on. Most other critters in your tank are fast enough to get away from them, which is why they exist primarily by scavenging. This last trait is why they are good CUC. Shrimp are more likely to be killed by other shrimp, IME.

Thanks for replys =-)

 

[dakota9]

I disagree about peppermints being "hit or miss". I think true peppermints are a hit everytime, but sometimes, other shrimp are sold as peppermints and they aren't.

 

[jigsaw1982]

Dakota9;711276 wrote: I disagree about peppermints being "hit or miss". I think true peppermints are a hit everytime, but sometimes, other shrimp are sold as peppermints and they aren't.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=287483">http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=287483</a>[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the link, I'll make sure to print out those pics before I go to buy a peppermint shrimp

 

[dakota9]

All the sponsors I've dealt with would know the difference, but yes, looking at one and know for certain that it's a true peppermint will help.

 

[patrick]

Peppermint shrimp can HELP control aiptasia. If you leave the peppermints to the task of solely eradicating the nems, you will have a greater chance of being disappointed.....especially if you have alot of nems and one peppermint. As stated above, you do want to make sure you get the Caribbean version of what they label as peppermint shrimp. The Pacific version will do you no favors.

The best way to use the peppermints is to manually and/or chemically remove the aiptasia that you can see......all of them......and leave the peppermint to eat any new nems that are from a spawn, or split from existing nems. This is the only way I have found for myself and friends to get good results consistently. Best of luck.

FWIW.....same thing with using emerald crabs to control valonia (bubble) algae. Remove and suck all that you see and let the crabs take care of the newer and smaller plants.

 

[jigsaw1982]

Patrick;711472 wrote: Peppermint shrimp can HELP control aiptasia. If you leave the peppermints to the task of solely eradicating the nems, you will have a greater chance of being disappointed.....especially if you have alot of nems and one peppermint. As stated above, you do want to make sure you get the Caribbean version of what they label as peppermint shrimp. The Pacific version will do you no favors.

The best way to use the peppermints is to manually and/or chemically remove the aiptasia that you can see......all of them......and leave the peppermint to eat any new nems that are from a spawn, or split from existing nems. This is the only way I have found for myself and friends to get good results consistently. Best of luck.

FWIW.....same thing with using emerald crabs to control valonia (bubble) algae. Remove and suck all that you see and let the crabs take care of the newer and smaller plants.

Thanks for the info. I wasn't going to leave the task to the peppermint shrimp alone, I am also going to get a Copperband Butterflyfish because I hear that they like to eat aiptasia as well.

 

[ralph atl]

Amici;711541 wrote: Copperbands are extremely hit or miss and I would advise against it. Hit the big aipts with kalk or one of the electric wands and then throw a bunch of pepps in to eat the small ones and babies that will pop up.

:thumbs:

get some Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime from your favorite grocer and know out the big nems (or that wand), and get like 6 (or more) of these:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+525+701&pcatid=701">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+525+701&pcatid=701</a>


I saw some at Sea Atlanta when I was there...

 

[jigsaw1982]

mysterybox;711555 wrote: :thumbs:

get some Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime from your favorite grocer and know out the big nems (or that wand), and get like 6 (or more) of these:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+525+701&pcatid=701">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+525+701&pcatid=701</a>


I saw some at Sea Atlanta when I was there...[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the input about Sea Atlanta =-)

 

[patrick]

I would agree with above. Getting a fish to control a problem like that is usually a bad idea. You'd really have to want the fish and they can be pretty hard to get in good condition and eating. Hitting the aiptasia with any of the commercial or homemade killing solutions and adding the peppermint shrimp is your best route IMO

 

[jigsaw1982]

Well this weekend I got 3 peppermint shrimp and 1 emerald crab. There hasn't seem to be any problems yet between the shrimp and my decorator crab.