Cleaner shrimp are very important to the health of other sea creatures because they get rid of parasites and dead skin. They are great for both new and experienced reef keepers because they are easy to take care of and don’t make a lot of noise.
Ich, also known as white spot disease, is one of the most notorious parasites in the saltwater aquarium hobby. This dangerous pathogen causes small white spots to appear on the skin and fins of infected fish. Without treatment, ich can rapidly kill fish.
Many aquarists have wondered if cleaner shrimp can help control ich outbreaks After all, these hardworking crustaceans pick parasites and debris off of fish. But can they effectively eat ich, or are they helpless against this vicious parasite?
In this article, we’ll examine whether cleaner shrimp eat ich based on scientific studies and aquarist experiences We’ll also discuss
- What ich is and how it infects fish
- The role of cleaner shrimp in the aquarium
- Aquarist experiences with cleaner shrimp and ich outbreaks
- More effective ich treatment options
What is Ich and How Does it Infect Fish?
Before we look at whether cleaner shrimp eat ich, let’s briefly review what ich is and how it infects fish.
Ich, also called white spot disease, is caused by a ciliated protozoan parasite named Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. The entire lifecycle of this parasite takes place on the fish itself.
Ich enters fish through their gills, then burrows into the skin and begins feeding on skin cells and mucus. The parasites grow larger, eventually exiting the skin as white “trophonts” which causes the characteristic white spots. The trophonts fall off the fish to reproduce, starting the cycle again.
Fish can also become infected by free-swimming ich parasites in the water. Outbreaks often begin when a stressed fish introduces ich into the aquarium. From there, it can rapidly spread to other tank inhabitants.
Do Cleaner Shrimp Eat Ich?
Now that we understand how ich infects fish, let’s examine whether cleaner shrimp eat this parasite.
Cleaner shrimp live symbiotically with fish by picking parasites, fungi, bacteria, and dead tissue off their host’s body. This gives cleaner shrimp a reliable food source while keeping fish healthy.
Despite their name, evidence shows cleaner shrimp do not actually consume ich:
- Ich burrows under the skin, making it inaccessible to cleaner shrimp.
- Studies of cleaner shrimp stomach contents found they eat parasites like copepods, but not ich (Grutter, 2000).
- Fish still succumb to ich outbreaks even when cleaner shrimp are present in the aquarium.
While they likely nibble on dead ich trophonts they find on the substrate, cleaner shrimp cannot effectively remove attached parasites or cure an active ich infection.
The Role of Cleaner Shrimp in the Aquarium
While cleaner shrimp don’t eat ich, they still serve an important role in the saltwater aquarium:
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Eat parasites: Cleaner shrimp eat smaller parasites like gnathiid isopods, copepods, and nematodes. This is beneficial for fish health.
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Scavenge debris: They pick dead tissue, algae, and food particles off of rocks and substrate. This helps reduce nitrates and break down organic waste.
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Clean fish: Cleaner shrimp remove dead scales, mucus, and other debris from fish bodies. Some fish even visit “cleaning stations” where shrimp remove materials.
So even though cleaner shrimp don’t eat problematic ich parasites, their cleaning services still provide value in the reef tank.
Aquarist Experiences with Cleaner Shrimp and Ich
Some aquarists believe their cleaner shrimp have cured ich outbreaks. Are these just coincidences, or could shrimp eliminate ich under certain conditions?
Looking at aquarist’s first-hand experiences provides some clues:
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Cleaner shrimp may remove some ich parasites in the free-swimming stage before they attach to fish. However, they likely do not remove trophonts already burrowed into fish skin and gills.
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Apparent “cures” often coincide with improved conditions like reduced stressors or the addition of cleaner shrimp. This allows the fish’s immune system to overcome the infection.
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In some cases, shrimp picked at lesions or dead tissue left behind after trophonts exited the fish. This may have sped up healing even though the shrimp didn’t directly eat attached ich.
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Cleaner shrimp sometimes gain access to atypical infection sites like the face where they could potentially pick off some external parasites.
So while shrimp likely play a minor role in helping fish recover, improved conditions and the fish’s own immune system are the primary factors in overcoming the infection. Cleaner shrimp alone cannot cure advanced ich infections.
More Effective Ich Treatment Options
Since cleaner shrimp cannot directly cure ich, what treatment methods actually work? Here are some effective ich treatment methods:
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Quarantine new fish: Quarantining new fish prevents introducing ich into the main tank. Look for white spots during the quarantine period.
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Remove stressors: Reduce aggressors, overcrowding, poor water quality, or other factors stressing the fish. This supports their immune system in fighting off the parasite.
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Raise temperature: Slowly increase tank temperature to 82-84°F. This speeds up the ich lifecycle so fish can kill mature trophonts before new parasites emerge.
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Medications: Aquarium-safe ich medications containing ingredients like formalin, malachite green, and chlordane kill free-swimming ich after trophonts exit fish. Use as directed on the package.
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UV sterilizer: A UV sterilizer kills free-swimming ich parasites as water passes through, preventing reinfection.
A combination of these methods is needed to fully eliminate ich from the aquarium. While cleaner shrimp can help, they should not be solely relied on to cure an active ich infection.
Cleaner shrimp play an important role in eating aquarium debris and keeping fish healthy. However, scientific studies and aquarist experience shows they do not directly consume problematic ich parasites.
While cleaner shrimp may provide some minor benefits, their small mouths and feeding methods make them ineffective at removing burrowed ich trophonts from fish tissue. They are unable to fully cure an advanced ich infection.
Instead of solely relying on cleaner shrimp, use proven treatment methods like quarantine, stress reduction, raised temperatures, medications, and UV sterilization to clear ich from your aquarium. This provides the best chance of saving your fish and getting your tank back to normal.
What has been your experience with using cleaner shrimp to treat ich? Let us know in the comments!
Care Guide & Information
Properly acclimating cleaner shrimp to your tank is crucial for minimizing stress and avoiding shock.
- Turn off the lights in your tank and float the shrimp-filled bag in the water for about 15 minutes to even out the temperature.
- Slowly add small amounts of tank water to the bag every 10 minutes for an hour to get the right water parameters.
- Carefully net the shrimp out of the bag and put them in your tank. Throw away the water from the bag to keep your system from getting contaminated.
Creating a habitat that mirrors their natural environment is vital for the well-being of cleaner shrimp.
They thrive in tanks with plenty of live rock and crevices for hiding and molting.
A sandy substrate combined with ample hiding spots offers a stress-free space for these invertebrates.
Maintaining stable water conditions—temperature, pH, and salinity within their preferred range—is essential for their health.
- Temperature: 74°F to 78°F
- pH: 8.1 to 8.4
- Salinity: 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity
Even though cleaner shrimp don’t have food preferences, it can be hard to make sure they get enough food in a community tank where other fish might be able to eat them first.
What do cleaner shrimp eat?
- Parasites and dead tissue from fish (their natural diet)
- Critters living on algae
- High-quality frozen foods such as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp
- Flake foods and pellets designed for marine species (occasionally)
- Small pieces of fish or seafood as occasional treats
- Some Peppermint Shrimp will prey on Aiptasia Anemones
With tweezers, you can feed them directly, making sure they get their fair share, especially in the beginning when they’re still shy.
Behavior & Tank Mates
Cleaner shrimp are peaceful inhabitants that get along with most reef-safe fish and invertebrates. Their cleaning skills are often appreciated by their tank mates, but some bigger or more aggressive species may see them as food instead of helpers.
They do not pose any threat to corals or other sessile invertebrates.
Healthy cleaner shrimp are active with clear eyes and vibrant colors. Signs of stress or illness include lethargy, lack of appetite, or faded colors. Molting is normal and indicates good health. However, you must ensure enough hiding spots to protect them during this vulnerable time.
Breeding cleaner shrimp in home aquariums is extremely challenging but not impossible. A pair will often spawn after molting if conditions mimic their natural habitat closely. Stable water parameters and plenty of food are key factors here.
However, raising the larvae to adulthood requires specific setups that mimic planktonic stages in open water. These setups are complicated and expensive for average hobbyists.
Beyond the basics of care, a few nuggets of wisdom can elevate your experience with cleaner shrimp. These insights are born from the trials, errors, and successes of fellow hobbyists, including myself. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Getting ready for molting: Before molting, cleaner shrimp may hide more and eat less. This is normal for them to do as they get ready for the weak phase of losing their exoskeleton.
- Finesse: They don’t have a picky eater problem, but giving them a variety of foods can make them look better and keep them active. Think of it as spicing up their life!.
- Observation is Key: Keeping an eye on your cleaner shrimp on a regular basis is fun and helps you spot any signs of illness or stress.
- Handling With Care: When necessary, be gentle in handling them. Their bodies are weak, especially right after they shed their shells and their new exoskeleton hasn’t hardened yet.
Cleaner Shrimp (How To Care For Cleaner Shrimp) Parasite Control In Your Reef Tank
Do cleaner shrimp eat ich?
Yes, cleaner shrimp can help control ich (a common fish parasite) by eating the parasites off infected fish during their cleaning sessions. However, this should not be relied on for treatment of ich in your tank. Do cleaner shrimp eat algae? No, cleaner shrimp primarily feed on parasites and dead tissue from fish.
What do cleaner shrimp eat?
In addition to eating algae, the cleaner shrimp will also eat parasites from fish as well as crab eggs as a form of reproduction. Cleaner shrimp are an integral part of the coral reef ecosystem. They eat parasites, algae, and dead tissue off the reef while remaining safe to other fish in the area.
What is the relationship between cleaner shrimp and fish?
Cleaner shrimp and fish relationships are not only strange but also fascinating. Cleaner shrimp live their lives as cleaner fish, feeding off of the parasites and dead skin cells of other marine animals. These brilliant blue and red crustaceans can be found in the warm waters of tropical reefs, where they swim around looking for food to eat.
Are saltwater cleaner shrimp good for fish?
There is also no guarantee of a good fit between the shrimp and fish in your tank. Saltwater cleaner shrimp are also sometimes specific (picky) about the fish species they will clean and some fish are reluctant to receive cleaning services from a resident shrimp.