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Paaty
01/01/2013, 01:56 PM
I put in a cleaner shrimp last week and he was doing well, but I have not seen him in over a day. He would always come out when I fed. I also put in a fire shrimp and he went behind the rocks and never saw him again. Do you think it is a predator?

cloak
01/01/2013, 02:10 PM
My guess is that they're molting. They usually disappear for a few days when they do this. This might happen about once a month or so and is just a normal part of the growth process. I wouldn't rule out a predator though either. Keep your eyes peeled.

blue98ls1
01/01/2013, 03:00 PM
My Fire Shrimp took two weeks to become sociable. I agree with the molting idea on the Cleaner, mine would also disappear for a few days and come out much brighter with a skin floating around the tank to boot.

ACBlinky
01/01/2013, 05:04 PM
Agree with the above. They're likely hiding so they feel safe while their new exoskeletons harden. My cleaner disappears for 2-3 days when he moults. I am not sure where he goes, but he hides REALLY well. The pistol shrimp does the same. You'll probably see a bigger, shinier shrimp in a couple of days : )

Paaty
01/02/2013, 12:48 AM
I hope you guys are right I'll keep u posted

usmc121581
01/02/2013, 05:43 AM
I never ever see my fire shrimp, I might catch a quick sighting but nothing more. Once he went missing for a month and then reappeared.

Paaty
01/02/2013, 07:28 PM
Still no shrimp sightings.

KyleO
01/02/2013, 11:48 PM
I have 4 fire shrimp in my 210ga reef tank with lots of live rock. Pretty much the only time I get to see my fire shrimp during the day is to feed the tank with dry pellets ......enough to get to the bottom and they will pop out to collect a few and are gone again!

Fish Biscuit
01/03/2013, 04:11 PM
My cleaner is less social for a day or 2 after a molt, I still see him but he hangs out in the back of the tank.