6-line and cleaner shrimp: OK to mix?

[Bob I]

So did the wee cleaner come from Big Al's, and was it as inexpensive as I thought? :?: :?:

[Delphinus]

Yup, Big Als. I can't remember what your estimate was? It was $28. I went to both Wai's and Big Al's yesterday ... at Wai's they were $40 each (also in the "wee" size range, despite the label saying "large" ... perhaps I need new spectacles... ). I didn't pick any up because I was pretty sure Big Al's had a better price. Unfortunately, they only had one (I was looking to buy 2 or 3), so I still feel a little unfulfilled in my mission to get a few of them.

Supposedly they were getting in a shipment late last night, so, I will be going back there today to see if they have any more (seeing as I was hoping to add at least a pair).

Get this though. So of course yesterday I go back in the fish room at Big Al's and of course the fish grrrrrls back there were acting as if they are paid on commission. The part that really bothers me is, well, these are probably high school age kids and already they have the typical "you know nothing, I must know it better because I work here" attitude. I asked about the order that was coming in, and they said, "oh probably around midnight." I replied (just making conversation), "oh, hee hee, somebody has to work late tonight." This is their response, said with an "all knowingly" kind of tone. "Oh no, we leave the stuff in boxes overnight. It's better for the animals to leave them in the box overnight before taking them out." ... Wha-wha-what????? Um .... Ok, I said to myself .... I am not even going to let myself get dragged into this .... just nod politely, and leave quickly. (This was the same grrrl who asked me, when I was buying my 6 line wrasse a few weeks ago, why live rock would make any difference for the fish. Ohhhhh kayyyyyyyyyy.)

Good grief.

[Bob I]

Tony, would you check if they get any Roal Gramas for me please. That way I save a trip.

[Delphinus]

Maybe my question should have been, is it OK to put a scarlet cleaner in with a lawnmower blenny??

The new cleaner has been MIA for at least 36 hours now... Basically I only saw it for a few hours after being put into the tank and I've never seen it since.

On a somewhat related rant/whine .... It really is amazing to see what passes for "large" these days. This $30 cleaner was barely larger than the mysis we feed (except that the antennae were much larger of course). So I'm thinking this is not boding too well.

Tank inhabitants (aka "suspects") are: banggai cardinal, lawnmower blenny, 6-line wrasse, and sailfin tang.

[AJ_77]

As to your 6-line, how big is it? Just wondering, the quote is from livequaria.com and reflects some other sources as well.

It will search for live foods in the form of small crustaceans such as pyramidellid snails (clam parasites), urchins, and commensal flatworms. It may even try to attack small ornamental shrimp.

Hopefully your baby shrimp wasn't a shrimp dinner, :shock:
- and is just hiding out, or freaking out a bit.

(AND - I'm stunned at these prices. If there's a few of us who need another shrimp or two, let's get an order together and MO them next time.)

Alan

[Delphinus]

Yeah, I had read that too (that was why I asked about the 6-line first).

Ok, admittedly, there ARE a lot of places to hide in this tank (there have been times I haven't even been able to find my new tang), so, a 1" shrimp could easily avoid detection. I just find it odd I haven't even seen a fleeting glimpse in two days. I dunno ... I have a bad feeling about this. I was going to go to LSOH and pick me up two more, but now I'm thinking that's neither in the animals best interests nor mine (at $40 each over at LSOH)...

[AJ_77]

Seriously Tony, canvas the locals for purchasers: the 4+ price for cleaner shrimp at J&L is what, 15 bucks?? Split the shipping and away we go! And they most likely have Bob's Gramma there too.

Count me in for 1 shrimp and a few Nassarius while we're at it!

Alan

[Bob I]

I would not mind another shrimp, & yes still looking for a grama. 8) 8)

[Canadian Man]

ooOo and I want 2 cleaner shrimp too.

[sumpfinfishe]

I have a small 6 line and two full grown cleaners, 6 months and no problems!