Coral banded shrimp. Yay or Nay?

[flugelnuss]

I have been getting so many different asnwers whenever asking about coral banded shrimp. I hear that they are bad because they may nip at corals, but others that say that they are reef safe. I've also heard that they are a natural predator to bristleworms. I just recently picked off 10 that I could find in my reef.

Anyone have any good or bad stories about these shrimp?

TIA!

Jeff

 

[Fly n Reef]

Hi Jeff,
I have had my CBS in my tank for two years w/o any problems. I have him in with both SPS and LPS and in the old tank I had several softies too. No problems. He is very nocturnal and I don't see much of him unless I bring out the flashlight for some nighttime tank investigation.

Good luck! Karen

 

[Elmo18]

I've kept one a couple years ago and gave mine away.

There are differing opinions/experiences, but I chose to give it up because it would always try to capture my smaller fish, i.e male maroon clown. If he goes near the shrimp, it would try catch it. It is just very territorial and agressive.

If you have a big problem with bristleworms, although most are good for the system anyway, they will keep its population in check. I see mine hunting and holding onto a worm at night. Very active at night, and usually hangs on an overhang of rocks during the day.

They will fight other shrimp species for territorial space.

I replaced the shrimp with a Skunk Cleaner shrimp because not only is it less agressive, it naturally cleans fish of ich, etc etc. It's nice to see my fish actually like being close to a shrimp for cleaning, rather than getting close and getting snapped at by a coral banded shrimp.

I would advise that you do not get 2 coral banded shrimp, unless they are a mated pair. You will get some bad territorial fighting from 2 males.

Have you also looked into the Golden Coral Banded shrimp? I have not had experience with that coloration, although it may be less agressive.

- Elmo

 

[flugelnuss]

Thanks! I don't know if I have a major infestation of bristleworms or not, but last night it was fun catching them with my fiance.

How are bristleworms good for your reef? And which ones are good? If I get a CBS or a Golden CBS, would they wipe out the entire bristleworm population?

Thanks!

Jeff

 

[Clownguy]

Hey Jeff,
I have had a mixed experience with coral bandeds, one living just peacefully and the other he ate three fish including a flame angel. I think it all really depends on the particular shrimp. If your bristle worms get to bed I would use a aroow crab I have found them to eat bristle worms better then coral banded shrimp. But once again you run into the same problem as with the coral banded may nip or eat your fish etc..

Chris

 

[Abissus]

I have a golden coral banded. it is very shy (i really wish it'll come out more like the skunk cleaner, which is the boss). it does not even come out at feeding time while the cleaner shrimp eats like a pig.

I am thinking about removing the cleaner and maybe the coral banded would come out more...

I think gold ones are smaller than the regular red and white ones.

 

[SpeckledGrouper]

I have a mated pair of CBS, they are very beautiful and fun to watch. At dinner time, they climb down from their rock cave and pick up pellets on the sand. No problems whatsoever.