fish cleaning crabs?????

[fishandchips]

hi. a freind of mine said that his freind has got a crab or octapus that cleans his fish. has anyone heard of these or even have them??

 

[S.Reef]

Well which one was it a crab or octopus. I've never heard of a octopus that would clean fish. Any fish to let an octopus near it would be pretty stupid. As for crab there may be a species that wil occasionally clean fish. Personally I have never heard of this.

Sam reef

 

[fishandchips]

he said it was a crab or an octopus he hasnt seen it himself it is his workmate who has it. i thought the same about the octopus myself ...it must be a crab

 

[aresgod]

it is a crab, the octopus is just a nasty rumor, there are small crabs/ shrimps that form similiar simbiotic relationships with fish that fish do with anemones and other creatures, they attach themselves to fish and remove parisites from their scales in return for shelter and free food(the parasites), as to their name it escapes me at this point i will do some research and see if i can remember their names

 

[aresgod]

ok, with a little head scratching i was able to figure it out it is called the Scarlet Skunk cleaner shrimp, i was also able to find an ample description and place to buy them here
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=23&pCatId=696
hope that helps
Brahm

 

[1979camaro]

those are generally just referred to as "cleaner shrimp" and should be widely available at any local LFSs dealing in SW...peronally I don't have one, I have a trio of peppermint shrimp which do fine...they dont really require any extra care as they are scavengers

 

[fishandchips]

thanks aresgod i am going to go down to my fish shop and get me some of them i should be good to see them clean my fish ill lety u know how i get on.

 

[1979camaro]

how big is the tank? might not really need more than one...though a trio could be delightful

 

[aresgod]

yea they are in a genus that does well with multiple same species tank mates where as some other shrip dont get along with their own kind, 3 would be fun
Brahm