Cleaner Shrimp

[mcquillian]

I have two Cleaner Shrimp in my 30 gallon tank. I have two questions:

1) One of the Shrimp (larger) is missing the top 70% of one of his feelers/antenna. Do Shrimp have the capability of regenerating/regrowing portions of their appendages? ( The Shrimp, by the way, is in good health)

2) As previously mentioned, I have two Cleaner Shrimp, one large, one small. How do you know if these are a "mated pair?" They do hang out next to each other in the tank all the time.

Thank you for your time regarding these issues.

 

[Atari]

They are hermaphrodites.. as long as you have more than one they should spawn on a regular basis.

 

[steve-s]

1) One of the Shrimp (larger) is missing the top 70% of one of his feelers/antenna. Do Shrimp have the capability of regenerating/regrowing portions of their appendages?

In general, crustaceans are very good at regenerating appendages after a molt. The only ones that typically do not are the main claws. Antennae, feelers and legs should pretty much always come back.

Cheers
Steve

 

[ddcboys]

Like the others have said they will mate over time and become bonded. As far as the feeler it will grow back after a couple of time molting it's skin. They will sometimes have that happen if they get in a fight with crabs or others.