peppermint shrimps not doing what they're meant to do

[hzheng33]

so i got some peppermint shrimps from two different sources in hope that at least one or two of them will combat with the aiptasia problem i'm having.

i was told by the salesperson from SEA Atlanta that the shrimps collected near Florida or the eastern coastal region will eat aiptasia and i personally tested the shrimps out by observing them in the store by dropping a piece of rock with aiptasia on it in the tank. they all went on a frenzy and cleaned out the tank as i watched. so i got some shrimps in the end.

well, let's just say the that batch of shrimps didn't go after the aiptasia.

my second batch was from Nemo's and i was told by Simon that shrimps from the Atlantic ocean region will eat aptasia and this bit of info sort of matched what i was told by the person from SEA ATL. so i got three more shrimps from Nemo's.

one week later, the aiptasia is still there and reproducing like wildfire. what should i do? the aiptasia is too small for Aiptasia-X or manual removal. should i go for limited feeding so that the shrimps can look for food elsewhere, ie aiptasia? i have some corals in the tank three clowns, some snails, hermit crabs, pistol shrimp, and a GBTA in my 29gal.

 

[glxtrix]

It's not going to happen over night...some are hit and miss too. Give them some time and I'm sure you'll start to see them go away. Shrimp like some fish need some time to adjust to the new parms and environment. It took my Copperband almost a month before it ate all my aiptasia.

 

[hzheng33]

oh i understand that they're a hit or miss, it's just when i went to SEA ATL, i specifically picked out the shrimps that were cleaning out the aiptasia infested rock, but as soon as i put them in my tank, they just stopped.

 

[sea atlanta]

hzheng33;905130 wrote: oh i understand that they're a hit or miss, it's just when i went to SEA ATL, i specifically picked out the shrimps that were cleaning out the aiptasia infested rock, but as soon as i put them in my tank, they just stopped.

Thanks for coming in and picking up some shrimp from us. As we discussed in the store, too often "peppermint shrimp" are universally labelled, regardless of where they are caught. And ony specific ones are really good at aiptasia elimination. Its a matter of being confidant of your collection source, as we are. However, even in purchasing proven aiptasia eaters, there are MANY factors at play. First, you have just turned their entire world upside down. Capture, transport, and relocation into a new home with new water parameters. They need to adjust. Once settled, they may continue their natural activities. Secondly, food sources. Peppermints often will gladly rather eat fish food, etc, rather than aiptasia. The best bet is to have hungry shrimp. Thirdly, populations. A few peppermints arent going to clear an aiptasia forest in a few days, Even if they are working at 100%. Its just too much food. Its a gradual process, and typically the huge, stalky aiptasia are too big to be knocked down easily. These guys are also very reclusive and typically work at night, so they may stay hidden during the day. Hope this helps.

 

[hzheng33]

SEA Atlanta;905134 wrote: Thanks for coming in and picking up some shrimp from us. As we discussed in the store, too often "peppermint shrimp" are universally labelled, regardless of where they are caught. And ony specific ones are really good at aiptasia elimination. Its a matter of being confidant of your collection source, as we are. However, even in purchasing proven aiptasia eaters, there are MANY factors at play. First, you have just turned their entire world upside down. Capture, transport, and relocation into a new home with new water parameters. They need to adjust. Once settled, they may continue their natural activities. Secondly, food sources. Peppermints often will gladly rather eat fish food, etc, rather than aiptasia. The best bet is to have hungry shrimp. Thirdly, populations. A few peppermints arent going to clear an aiptasia forest in a few days, Even if they are working at 100%. Its just too much food. Its a gradual process, and typically the huge, stalky aiptasia are too big to be knocked down easily. These guys are also very reclusive and typically work at night, so they may stay hidden during the day. Hope this helps.

thank you for the info and i'm sure didn't expect any reply from you specifically on the forum. i understand what you've said and i was just hoping that there's a way to re-train them. the only reason why i didn't pick out more is simply the fact that this is a nano-tank and i didn't see the point of having an army of peppermint shrimps. but anyhow, thanks for everything and i will see what else i can do to get rid of the aiptasia.

 

[joseayes]

Two things here:
How someone posting a thread about " ayptasia shrimp eaters" could not expect the sponsor to reply with more support and answering questions regarding any saltwater meanings? I meant, Sea Atlanta has a great reputation and great costumer service I had probe that for long time. Then Nemo aquarium, I have know Simon for a long time and his brother, and all I can say is that they're excellent guys and very knowledgeable in his bussines.
Secondly, ayptasia in a nano????
I meant, something is just bad from the start with a tank that size, IMO.
I have seen a lot of people willing to help, any help is always good to get, and I probably not helping you much here, I'm sorry, have to talk about my experience with the sponsors and not intended to hurt feelings or nothing related.

 

[jdavid]

I've never seen mine.

 

[saltbubbles]

I would just give them time to let them get adjusted. If you were just dropped at my house and you loved chocolate cake, you probably wouldn't go and devour it. Now, would you? Lol

 

[cutman1975]

I have to agree with above I have been dealing with Simon for a while now he has never lead me wrong just have patience if u don't have any in wrong hobby but u should not put it out there like that just my two cents

 

[ringo®]

saltbubbles;905233 wrote: If you were just dropped at my house and you loved chocolate cake, you probably wouldn't go and devour it.

Not only that, but I would finish off all the milk in the fridge too.

 

[hzheng33]

did i say/post something offensive? i never doubted the sponsors. i was simply trying to re-train or re-condition these two batches of shrimps. that's all. i have been in the fish keeping hobby long enough to know the personalities associated with each creature.

Edit:

joseayes;905192 wrote: Two things here:
How someone posting a thread about " ayptasia shrimp eaters" could not expect the sponsor to reply with more support and answering questions regarding any saltwater meanings? I meant, Sea Atlanta has a great reputation and great costumer service I had probe that for long time. Then Nemo aquarium, I have know Simon for a long time and his brother, and all I can say is that they're excellent guys and very knowledgeable in his bussines.
Secondly, ayptasia in a nano????
I meant, something is just bad from the start with a tank that size, IMO.
I have seen a lot of people willing to help, any help is always good to get, and I probably not helping you much here, I'm sorry, have to talk about my experience with the sponsors and not intended to hurt feelings or nothing related.

did i say/post something offensive? i never doubted the sponsors. i was simply trying to re-train or re-condition these two batches of shrimps. that's all. i have been in the fish keeping hobby long enough to know the personalities associated with each creature.

 

[ringo®]

hzheng33;905253 wrote:
did i say/post something offensive? i never doubted the sponsors. i was simply trying to re-train or re-condition these two batches of shrimps. that's all. i have been in the fish keeping hobby long enough to know the personalities associated with each creature.

People could have interpreted it as a gripe against them I guess. Stuff doesn't always come across in type the way you want it to. Don't sweat it.

 

[cutman1975]

Myself I would have just left names out

 

[jdavid]

But does anyone else actually SEE their peppermint shrimps?

 

[ringo®]

JDavid;905257 wrote: But does anyone else actually SEE their peppermint shrimps?

Yep...they get braver and venture out more in pairs. I've got a single in my 29 who'll shuffle out from his cave whenever I walk by the tank.

 

[jdavid]

So he would generally have one hiding spot where he stays, his "cave"

 

[hzheng33]

okay, let me apologize first if anyone interpreted my thread as some sort of rant against the sponsors, i have nothing against them. the two sponsors i have named actually helped me out some sort because a lot of other vendors don't have peppermint shrimps in their stores lately. the only reason why i put their names up is so that everyone could get an idea of who/which store that i'm dealing with (plus there's only a handful of lfs in GA for saltwater). i didn't think about anything other than my peppermint shrimps not eating aiptasia, so if i offended anyone in the forum, i apologize for the misunderstanding.

but other things aside, my shrimps are not shy at all. they come out everyday and they even stole the raw shrimps that i specially cut out for my plate coral and GBTA.

 

[jdavid]

I wonder if someone/something ate mine. I put him in the tank, he dove under some mushrooms and never seen him since.

Adult female clown perhaps? Exquisite wrasse?

 

[hzheng33]

JDavid;905266 wrote: I wonder if someone/something ate mine. I put him in the tank, he dove under some mushrooms and never seen him since.

Adult female clown perhaps? Exquisite wrasse?

what kind of clown? the wrasse should be invert safe and reef compatible tho, very peaceful last time i check

 

[ringo®]

I wonder if someone/something ate mine. QUOTE]

If you haven't seen a molt floating around anywhere recently, I would say most likely.