How do I catch a killer shrimp??

[depitch]

I have a 90 gal AGA RR tank with 100 lbs LR , corals and a 4 inch Coral Banded Shrimp that has killed 2 Lawnmower and 1 midas blenny!! :shock::shock:

What would be the best way to trap and remove it without total tank upheaval??

Doug

 

[ac7av]

Are you sure it’s killing them or just cleaning up like it does. I have one that is good size. It will try and go after fish and they will eat them if they could catch them but they are so slow in comparison and not a lot of power in there grip with the thin claws to pin down a fish that is healthy unless they are very small.

 

[Sascha D]

Yeah I dont think its that shrimp. I think you are just seeing it eat the bodies. Its claws aren't large or powerful enough to catch and kill a lawnmower blenny.

How long as the tank been up?
How long have you had the LR?
Did you notice the fish have any small wounds or were they just dead suddenly?
What other fish do you have in the system?

If you really want to catch him all you need is a trap. You can make it out of a plastic bottle or buy one. I think it's something else though.

 

[g0rFz]

i have one of these and he picked up my scooter blenny and held him over his head so they are vicious he hasnt touched my lawnmower though

 

[lizardarm]

Okay, back to the question, I have had good luck luring "bad guys" out with a chunk of shrimp on the end of a pair of tongs. Have your other hand standing by in the water with a net to swoop in. I would also agree with the above sentiments that you should make sure that it is this shrimp that's doing the killing; often times the one you see eating the body is just cleaning up the mess and not the actual killer.

 

[BBurrows13]

I have 3 coral banded shrimp, and the only things they attack are each other.... Now if another animal are killing the fish...the shrimp is just doing his job and cleaning up

 

[depitch]

Thanks for the responses.

The tank is up for 8 months, everything was transfered from a 75 gal tank that was running for about 4 years.

My concern is that shrimp are active at night and this may be when the killing may occur.

I had the first Lawnmower for almost 3 years and now I can't seem to keep one.

The coral banded has grown from about 2" to 4" over the past 2 years and will pick on snails and small hermit crabs.

I just picked up a starry blennie and if it dies suddenly with no other fish looking sick I will try the tong/ net approach.

 

[depitch]

Other tank occupants are 3 false peculas, hippo tang, red fairy wrasse and yellow coris wrasse.

 

[ac7av]

Maybe you can try feeding the shrimp. If its not so hungry it mite stop bothering the other tank critters. Just a thought.

 

[Sascha D]

Depitch, I would agree that you have to remove it. Does it hide out on a specific rock? You could just remove his rock, or lift it with a net underneath when he drops off. If you cant get him the easy way, then you're going to have to go hunting! Cut the end off of a gatorade or soda bottle big enough for him to enter and tie some fishing like to the open end. Bait the bottle with a piece of fish or shrimp that will give off a good scent. Put the bottle near his "lair" and stand by with string in hand to pull him up when he enters.

I know its crude but its simple right?

 

[depitch]

Thanks

I may try the bottle/bait approach.

 

[dj tryrd]

i got a sure fire way for you. amazing result it'll be dead in an hour. pour liquid copper in your tank in copius ammounts!!!!!lol

 

[Jan]

I had a coral banded shrimp that killed 2 chromis, a canary blenny, and a mandarin. When it was happening I researched this behavior and found several other people who had similar experiences. I personally witnessed the shrimp going after the mandarin and I'm certain he was the culprit.

Anyway, I tried luring him out with food on a long handled tweezers, then I would try to net him but I couldn't do it. I ended up having to tear my tank apart to get him out of there.

I do understand that many people with these shrimp have no problems with them but there are rogue CB shrimps out there to be sure.

 

[Sascha D]

I had a coral banded shrimp that killed 2 chromis, a canary blenny, and a mandarin. When it was happening I researched this behavior and found several other people who had similar experiences. I personally witnessed the shrimp going after the mandarin and I'm certain he was the culprit.

Anyway, I tried luring him out with food on a long handled tweezers, then I would try to net him but I couldn't do it. I ended up having to tear my tank apart to get him out of there.

I do understand that many people with these shrimp have no problems with them but there are rogue CB shrimps out there to be sure.

I had a similar experience with a brittle star. I found that other people had the same problems here and there. I had to take the whole tank down to get the rock he was in.

 

[Sascha D]

Thanks

I may try the bottle/bait approach.

So have you gotten him out yet? How did you do it?