Cleaner Shrimp

[matt_wmb]

I've been told often that cleaner shrimp cannot be kept with triggerfish as the latter eat crustaceans. However, I've seen a number of photos of wild triggerfish being serviced by shrimp. Is this a captivity vs. wild thing? Is it species-specific?

 

[-Nemo-]

Many species tend to treat cleaner's different because of their symbiotic relationships. I, for instance, have a very nasty sixline who harrassed many peppermint shrimp to their deaths. I put the cleaner in hoping it wouldn't turn into a $30 snack, at first he tried to go after him, but i must say, this shrimp has an attitude. A month later, they totally ignore each other's existence.

Not sure if I got lucky, this shrimp is never shy, he chases after the fish to clean them.

That being said, I've seen triggers being very aggressive to inverts but I also believe there are exceptions to everything. A very well fed trigger might never go after on, but the chances are he will, and that would be my guess.

 

[ben1987]

Usually if the cleaner shrimp is there first, they have a better chance of not being eaten. IT also depends on what type of trigger and that individual fish.

If you add shrimp after the trigger, this has to be done ater lights out while the fish are sleeping. Then it doesnt look like you are adding food. Keeping th fish well fed may stop it being interested in the shrimp too