The Puffer Forum

My boyfriend came home with a cleaner shrimp for the tank last night. I am sure I have heard that it is dangerous to keep cleaner shrimp with puffers as they may decide to clean the fish as it is sleeping and cause damage to the slime coat.

Is it a high enough risk to take the shrimp back to the lfs...has anyone ever heard of this happening or is it just a rumour?

The lfs had some 'fire shrimp'...not knowing much about marine shrimps yet I don't know whether it would be ok to swop the cleaner for one? There are also two peppermint shrimp in there.

Thanks, Jeni

It could be ignored forever, it could live happily for a while and then get devoured or it could last a matter of minutes. All depends on the temprament of your puffer and whether he has a taste for them. This will be the same for most shrimp. If they're smart and good hiders they could live out their lives.

Cheers Hilly, I know it sounds bad but I'm not particularly concerned over the safety for the shrimp but I would be devastated if the shrimp managed to kill my puffer!!

[My GSP currently resides with two shrimp in a small tank with only one rock and has never touched them (they were supposed to be food for him)...the new tank is 5 times bigger and has a massive cave system built from live rock so they have plenty of places to hide. If they get caught it's their own damn fault!]

I seriously doubt the shrimp would harm him, they learn pretty damn quick the best way to disarm them. So if that was your concern I wouldnt worry.

my valentini picked at my cleaner shrimp until he had no legs left, no feelers.. nothing.... It took him a week, but he finally killed him. Tried re-arranging roxxks to make bettre hiding places but all to no avail.

Last time i try that.... now use hermit crabs, and they seem to do better as they can hide in their shells...

Bad valentini!

I definately wouldnt worry about the shrimp hurting your puffer. My cleaner shrimp used to clean my Valentini and the valentini loved it.

I was thinking about getting a shrimp but then decided on hermit crabs. But i dont think that your shrimp will harm your puff.

It is more like your puffer may eat your shrimp. I have a cleaner shrimp and the puffer is great. The shimp has been nipped in the tail. He is still alive just staying away from the puffer.

If it hasn't picked on ur other shrimp, there is a good chance it won't bother the other ones. Besides, not all cleaner shrimp display the cleaning behavior in the aquarium, so you would not have to worry about the shrimp. Just the unpredictable puffer.