A Ghost Shrimp just attacked and started eating a Cherry!?

minneapolis · Post by **minneapolis** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 4:21 pm

I didn't think think a ghost shrimp could do that? The cherry was about 1/4 of the size. The ghost shrimp had it from the back and wouldn't let go when I tried to get it in the net. It evaded me in the plants but I could still see it through the leaves. I have about 10 ghost shrimp and 10 (now 9 ) juvenille cherries. This is too bad because the ghost shimp are a dime a dozen and my cherries, well you know. I drop in some sinking pellets about every 3 days for the ghost shrimp so I would think they wouldn't be too hungry. Should I try be concerned and get the ghost shrimp out of there?

Bradimus · Post by **Bradimus** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 4:40 pm

Are you sure the cherry was happy and healthy?

minneapolis · Post by **minneapolis** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 4:46 pm

Yes, I can still see it grabbing at the leaves. All of my others are doing well too.

Bradimus · Post by **Bradimus** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 6:58 pm

Do you know the species of ghost?

TKD · Post by **TKD** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 11:13 am

You sure it is a Ghost and not a Chameleion shrimp?

TKD

Post by **Mustafa** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 2:19 pm

Palaemontes paludosus don't just go attack and eat other shirmp, period. They don't even have the weapons to accomplish anything like that. I have them living here with algae eating shrimp and have never observed anything like that. However, they could possibly catch and eat hatchlings if those little guys are not careful...

You probably observed a dying shrimp being snacked on by P. paludosus. They are not going to wait until the dying shrimp has passed away before sitting down for dinner.

Mustafa

TKD · Post by **TKD** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 5:49 pm

minneapolis wrote:Yes, I can still see it grabbing at the leaves. All of my others are doing well too.

He said it is ok....

TKD

minneapolis · Post by **minneapolis** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 6:18 pm

I'm hoping that was the problem and it was a sick shrimp. I've had them all together for about a month and haven't seen any problems before. That ghost shrimp was a true pig and ate the whole cherry. As far a the species, I got them as feeder shrimp/ghost srhimp from the LFS. No more info other than that.