Cleaner shrimp eating my Rock Flower anemone!!!

[jtbadco]

I found two of my cleaner shrimp chowing down on my nem today!!!

Not sure what I should do. The mouth of the nem is completely ripped open and they are ripping chunks of flesh off it.

Should I get rid of the nem befor it dies? or get rid of the shrimp?

[Enigma]

Originally Posted by jtbadco

I found two of my cleaner shrimp chowing down on my nem today!!!

Not sure what I should do. The mouth of the nem is completely ripped open and they are ripping chunks of flesh off it.

Should I get rid of the nem befor it dies? or get rid of the shrimp?

My impulse would be to get rid of the shrimp. But then, I am hoping to develop very non-predatory and peaceful tanks.

I suppose you need to decide what has more value to you. Do you have a QT tank you could move the nem into while you decide on your course of action?

[LeanneP]

Make sure you keep your eyes open for ammonia. If the nem begins to die you will have a huge ammonia spike in your tank. If you have another quarentine tank or know someone who does I would take the nem out until you know it isn't going to die. My nem died and through my tank into a huge cycle that killed all my other corals.

Leanne

[jorjef]

Crush the shrimp....and any crabs you find along the way... They're all Jackals

[RuGlu6]

If cleaner shrimps are already eating the anemone that may mean that anemone is slowly dying and releasing juices. Start making water changes every 2-3 days. When anemone will detach take it out and smell it, you will know where to put after you smell it, back to the tank or in the toilet.

[jtbadco]

Well, I have been monitoring the situation. The shrimp seem to be leaving it alone for now. Doesn't seem to be too much damage. If I find them after it again they are going for a FW swim. Jerks

[reefwars]

a healthy nem should be able to retract if it is being attacked.....shrimp are scavengers and i bet hes out for the free meal from leftover food or anemones expelled waste:P gross actually!!:P

[naesco]

jorjef ,jtbadco are you guys hobbyists or are you just joking?

[jtbadco]

I guess I am a hobbyist.
Why?

I was just joking about tossing them in FW. I would sell them...too expensive to toss.

[jorjef]

Originally Posted by naesco

jorjef ,jtbadco are you guys hobbyists or are you just joking?

How about you police your tank and I will police mine