Lyretail Anthias Training Hermit Crab for Cleaner Position?

[pblutang]

I noticed some interesting behavior with my Lyretail Anthias. For about a week I noticed it herding around a large hermit crab in my DT. Today I saw the Anthias on its side with the hermit crab on it cleaning it. By the time I got my video camera it was off, but I did get some footage of the pair together. As I was shooting the tangs started to come around curiously interrupting the cleaning session. Sorry in advance that the video quality isnt that great. I took it with camera on my phone.

YouTube - Lyretail Anthias training Hermit Crab to clean

Just wondering if anyone has seen this behavior before.

 

[The Apprentice]

Pretty good video I was amazed on the Lyretail,Pretty cool how big is your tank could you put in a cleaner shrimp? I have seen Peppermint Shrimp become cleaners as well.

 

[Ed Hahn]

Chiming in....Awesome video. Thanks for sharing!

 

[pblutang]

Pretty good video I was amazed on the Lyretail,Pretty cool how big is your tank could you put in a cleaner shrimp? I have seen Peppermint Shrimp become cleaners as well.

I got rid of my cleaner shrimp when I started target feeding some of my corals. The cleaner would steal food from the corals. I thought it was kinda cool to see how the Anthias adapted and found something it thought could clean her up a bit. Pretty smart fish.

 

[twiggy]

That is pretty cool. I've never seen any of my lyertails do this. Only the male herding the females lol.

 

[leebca]

I would get the crab out of that tank as soon as you can. The crab is eating the mucous coating of the fish, which will weaken its defenses. At some point in time, the crab may just decide the fish would make a better meal.