I Need Some Help
 

I have a 30 gallon reef...with 2 clowns, a 6-line wrasse and a blenny. I had a cleaner shrimp, but it died. It was getting bugged by the wrasse and my salinity was 1.025...and read that they prefer 1.027-28. Anyway...I want to get a coral banded shrimp...are they mean as they say...most are telling me not to get them. Would I be best to get a sally lite foot crab or something? I dont want to get another cleaner shrimp right now. I really like the coral banded, but everyone seems to frown on them...

josh

My experience is that coral banded shrimps are not aggressive. The two I have now (in separate tanks) hide most of the time and don't show any aggression towards my fish or other shrimp.

I've seen coral banded shrimps get a little defensive if another shrimp or fish gets too close, but it seems to be mostly a show (waving the claws around), without getting physical.

Since your wrasse was bugging your cleaner shrimp, its possible it will also bug a coral banded shrimp. If you buy a a coral banded shrimp I would look for a larger one, and keep your wrasse well fed.

I generally keep my tanks salinity at 1.025 and don't have any problem keeping shrimps. Any sudden changes in salinity or temperature are more likely to be a problem.

I haven't been able to keep aquaria for the last few years due to my work schedule, but am giving thought to starting a tank again. Anyhow, when I did keep tanks, I almost always had a pair of BCS in them, and did not find them overly aggressive, except towards other ornamental shrimp.:hammer:
If there was an injured fish in the tank they would sometimes go after them, but otherwise they were fairly well behaved IME. I should add if you decide to try a pair, make sure you have a true pair as two shrimps of the same sex will usually fight to the death, unless you have a very large tank.:uzi:
I would be cautious when adding them as you have a sixline wrasse and I have had the "lined" wrasses go after BCS on occassion.:sad2:
The only other caution I can think of off hand is that BCS sometimes are sold at REALLY jumbo size - those might be a bit more aggressive - I would reccommend a safer size say 2 inches, as they are apt to be less problematic.:thumbsup:
I should add all the above is MY experience, others may have had differing experiences, either way good luck to you!!