will cleaner shrimp eat pods?

FernanQ · #1 05/18/2007, 03:37 PM

I just added a culture of pods and other stuff hoping they'll establish in my tank so I can add a mandarin fish. But I have a question, if I add cleaner shrimp, will they eat them?

Randall_James · #2 05/18/2007, 03:49 PM

It is not a primary food of cleaner shrimp, but cleaner shrimp are scavangers and will eat what ever they find. Pods are pretty darn hard for them to catch so I would not worry about it.

gonzalezcp · #3 05/18/2007, 11:19 PM

If they can catch them..

demonsp · #4 05/18/2007, 11:33 PM

Make sure you add weekly that mandrine can clean a tank fast. To have one you really need a refugium , this is where your pods multiply and keep main tank supplied with pods for the mandrine.

Randall_James · #5 05/19/2007, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by demonsp
Make sure you add weekly that mandrine can clean a tank fast. To have one you really need a refugium , this is where your pods multiply and keep main tank supplied with pods for the mandrine.

I doubt adding $20+ a week in pods is in most peoples budgets. If this is a 55G tank, your odds of keeping a Mandarin long term is not very good anyway.. better budget that $20 a week

FernanQ · #6 05/20/2007, 03:12 PM

thanks for the advice, I guess I won't get my hopes up on getting a mandarin unless I have a sump or a much larger tank.

xreefermadnessx · #7 05/20/2007, 05:01 PM

the pods multiply well in a ball of cheato

xreefermadnessx · #8 05/20/2007, 05:01 PM

the pods multiply well in a ball of chaeto

budhorse775 · #9 05/20/2007, 06:46 PM

I kept a mandarin in a 55 for 2 years without any problems. Pods are like fleas. If you notice 1 there are 100 you missed

Randall_James · #10 05/20/2007, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FernanQ
thanks for the advice, I guess I won't get my hopes up on getting a mandarin unless I have a sump or a much larger tank.

Good move, there are a lot of failures with smallish setups. Trying to do this without adequate resources just puts the fish in a slow starvation mode. It can take 6 months to a year to starve one to death depending on the food supply.

You will find that most experienced tank keepers would never suggest trying this with a 55 and many would discourage even a 75G tank. Really a shame when guys try and fail with such a great looking fish..