Cleaner Shrimp

[VictorMeldrew]

Hi all,
I have only ever owned two cleaner shrimp at a time and was just wondering how many you can actually house together, does anyone have any experience in keeping more than two.

Thanks
VM

 

[-Nemo-]

What size is your tank?

I'm in the process of breeding cleaners, and while researching it seems that many times if you have a pair and a third is added, the third ends up "mysteriously" disappearing. Note that most shrimp (including cleaners) are Hermaphrodites, so two generally pair up very easily. If you're thinking about adding more than two, you might be best adding in pairs to prevent the odd one out.

 

[ben1987]

they do my head in! Nicking food off my corals!

 

[VictorMeldrew]

Hi Nemo, the tank in 400l, I hear you about keeping them in pairs, the two i have always had are always together, I might consider a total of four as I really do like the effect they have in a tank, making the tank look busy without adding to much in the way of bio-load.

Ben, I also understand the problem there but I am convinced they are life savers when it comes to white spot, trust me mate, I could not cope without them

Thanks guys
VM

 

[-Nemo-]

Your tank is plenty big enough for four then