Cleaner Shrimp

[Pacu Man]

I recently setup a 20 gal SW tank and I've been suggested to get one of thoose cleaner or candycane shimp i think the store calls it, I know your suppost to wait like a month or so before introducing it to a newer tank, my question is: is this possible to do in a 20 gal?

[fishfreek]

Sure you can have a cleaner shrimp in a 20 gal.

Shrimp themselves produce almost 0 bioload so if you might want something else in there to prior to acutally cycle the tank.

In my 20 gal I have 5-7 shrimp.

The worst part is when they release their eggs it can do a number on your water quality. So if you get a pair or more shrimp its would be good to do frequent water changes expecially if you see them having egg sacs.

[Pacu Man]

I see, so they don't need to go in after 1 month? I've had 1 clown in there for a bit. What about snails? I hear they clean up pretty nice, but I wouldn't consider them if the shrimp does a good enough job.

[Mutz]

Snails are great for keeping algae off of your glass among other things. Be careful when introducing inverts to your tank --- do it as slowly as you can. You don't want to learn the hard way that acclimating inverts too fast can kill them.

[michealprater]

I would not add snails or shrimp during the cycle. When you tank levels are stable you can.

[pufferman]

I hear they clean up pretty nice, but I wouldn't consider them if the shrimp does a good enough job.

Cleaner shrimp are very effective in cleaning up detritus and poop off the gravel and take a lot of burden off you when cleaning the gravel. I recommend them for any tank that does not have fish that eat inverts (triggers, puffers, groupers etc.)