Hmmm,
 

Well i hope my other one doesn't kick off soon to.

I got them from JL and they were fairly large, and I've had them for about 3-4 months now.

Size is usually a good indicator as to age. If the shrimp is large when bought, it is a good bet that it is over a year old. I have found that they molt often when they are young, but that slows when they age.

However, those are my findings, and they may not be accurate.:mrgreen:

What is the general consensus/opinion on the average captive life-span (in terms of years) for cleaner shrimp? (Assume you get them when they are relative small).

I've read around 3 years on numerous occasions.

I've had my cleaner shrimp for just over two years now. When I got him he was a real runt, but now he's all grown up... So, atleast two years, but I dunno the 'expected' life span.

I lose shrimp like no tomorrow :( Alas I do have what I think is a gorilla crab in my tank and I am not able to cathc the little bastard. He molts ocassionally and by seeing the molt he is getting big :( I'm afriad he is the cause of my shrimp losses :( I never find bodies.. just don't find them when I do a head count.

i've had cleaners just drop dead b4 too and mine were about 2" probably old.

Use a mag light late at night and harpoon him! Barberic yes, but seems to have worked for me a number of times in the past.