Angel/Pepermint Shrimp help

[stuntkiteflyer]

I have my pepermint shrimp for two weeks now and I just really noticed today that he is missing the smaller of his two claws (will post pics later if that helps), he is moving fine and is stilll paired with a Yasha Hasha.

Also noiticed that a pygmy Angel that I bought a few days ago that has been doing very well and I noticed that today as well that a U shaped chunk was taken out of his tail.

The only things I have in the tank are the Pygmy Angel, Yasha Hasha, pepermint shrimp, blue-green chromis, and a purple firefish. Also in the tank is a mithax crab, some blue legged hermits, and snails (which I doubt are planning an attack on the fish).

Any idea what's going on with them or what could be causes of the bite and the shrimp loosing it's claw?

Thanks,
Ashley

 

[Juanfer]

maybe the mithax crab....

 

[NaH2O]

Ashley - don't worry about the shrimp. They will regenerate their claws with successive molts.

Really dumb question....did you notice if the bite in the tail was there when you bought the angel a few days ago?

 

[stuntkiteflyer]

That's not a dumb question at all, and no he didn't. I'm attaching the best pics I could get of his tail before and after.

 

[NaH2O]

Wow, that is a significant piece. Although, the tail in that same area on the other picture doesn't look that great either. Kind of looks frayed.

Hopefully Lee will have some more info to offer..

 

[stuntkiteflyer]

How do I get a hold of Lee?

 

[leebca]

Ashley,

Most dwarf Angelfishes sleep on the substrate. They find a hidy-hole between the rock and substrate and stay there for the night.

Unfortunately, hermit and other crabs are known to attack sleeping fish, other invertebrates, and anything they can get their claws onto. Thus the recommendation in part, not to keep hermit crabs in with fish and invertebrates. If all your hermit and other crabs are tiny (smaller shells than a dime), then you'll have to look for a hitchhiker that is hiding out in the rocks or substrate. Usually, the hitchhiker theory holds up well in aquariums that are less than a year old.

Have you come across any empty snail shells? That's the hermits at their worst. If not, then you probably will in the near future.

If you think none of the above may likely apply, there is the last scenario and that is an injury.

You can systematically remove the crabs or sit tight and see if anything more develops. BTW, even well-fed hermits will attack fishes. And if the hermit takes a liking to a particular snail shell, it will pull the snail out. (If you add some Garlic Extreme or other garlic product, there's the making for some fine escargot).

 

[stuntkiteflyer]

My theory:

I noticed yesterday that my Yasha Hasa has lost about half of his top fin so I sat and watched the tank for a while. So when my Yasha was out I noticed that the Angel came over and nipped at his top fin, and the yasha whipped around and opened it's mouth trying to bite the angel. So I'm wondering if the Angel didn't loose part of it's tail after biting the Yasha...maybe. Either way the Angel is going back to the store since he's being mean to my Yasha and Firefish. He's not playing very nicely in the sand box.

I have noticed however that some of the hermits have taken over a few snail shells but most of them were empty to begin with. Saw one turn on another hermit but they didn't scuffle very wrong, but I will watch. Could they have gotten to the pepermint shrimp causing him to loose the claw?

 

[leebca]

Depends how large they are, and how long the hermits have been in your tank. As they age they get bolder and meaner.

You say the snail shells were empty -- does that mean there were snails in them or you put in some empty snail shells?

 

[stuntkiteflyer]

Some snails I had bought were DOA, so I had some empty shells around. I'm switching my 24 to a 34 today/tomorrow, and thinking about making the 24 (eventually) into a seahorse tank. Should I pull the majority of the hermits out? Move them to the 34? or kinda split them?

 

[leebca]

In my opinion: NO HERMITS WITH THE SEAHORSES

Seahorses move around lazily. They 'sleep' clinging to a bit decor or algae. Hermits can grab hold of their tails and take a piece if they want. :evil: I would only put snails in with the seahorses.

 

[stuntkiteflyer]

So should I move all the hermits to the new 24 with the fish? Or should I get rid of a few of them in the process?

 

[leebca]

I would not keep hermit crabs in any marine system, unless that is the only marine life you want to keep. They aren't worth putting up with their mis-behavior.

 

[stuntkiteflyer]

Thanks for your help Lee!