There can be only two.
Lysmata amboinensis are protandric simultaneous hermaphrodites, meaning every cleaner shrimp is born a male but develop female reproductive organ as he matures. Sexually mature L.amboinensis have both male and female reproductive organs but can not self-fertilize, so they must pair up with another shrimp to reproduce. Anyone looking to breed cleaner shrimps – or regularly spawn shrimp larvae to serve as natural zooplankton for their corals/fish – only needs to place two shrimps together in the same tank.
However, if you place more than two cleaner shrimps in the same tank, the situation can get ugly. Researcher Janine Wong and Professor Nico Michiels (University of Tubingen) placed cleaner shrimps in multiple groups of two, three or four in separate small tanks. Within 42 days, all tanks only had a pair of shrimps still alive. The dominant pair simply killed off the other shrimps in their tank. The researchers hypothesize this aggression is motivated by reducing competition for clients (and subsequently food source) within their cleaning station area. All subjects in this experiment were provided ample food, so the results suggest cleaner shrimps may be genetically “hard-wired” to behave this way. The big question that lingers: How large of a cleaning station area (e.g. aquarium) do cleaner shrimps require to allow for more than one pair to coexist?
Their research, “Control of social monogamy through aggression in a hermaphroditic shrimp,” is published in the scientific journal Frontiers of Zoology. The paper’s abstract states:
Exactly one individual in each triplet and exactly two individuals in each quartet were killed in aggressive interactions, resulting in group sizes of two individuals. All killed individuals had just moulted. No mortality occurred in single and pair treatments. The number of moults in the surviving shrimp increased significantly after changing from triplets and quartets to pairs.
So for anyone considering buying more than two cleaner shrimps for their aquarium (at least smaller aquariums), reconsider; Chances are, you will still end up with just a pair.
An interesting side-fact about Lysmata amboinensis: Cleaner shrimps can only assume the female role a few hours after molting, while they can assume the male role at any time, even when incubating eggs.
The most significant way to make sure the aquarium service is preserving a totally secure environment for fish to live in. The follow description will explore what you have to do as practical strategy to serve the aquarium being hygienic, free of dirt and neat.
Before you begin to clean your aquarium, what really important is to do numerous tips. First, you have to be aware that implementing aquarium service is diverse related to type of tank or fish that lives in the aquarium. Second, you have to be aware to the circumstances of your aquarium that is possibly being too much food, crowded or less of change in the water. Finally, you have to make a regular schedule for aquarium service program. It is important to ensure that aquarium condition is totally fine. You can do once every two weeks.
Generally I can say that aquarium service can be separated into two factors, cleaning the tank and substitute the water. To begin cleaning the tank, you may refresh the water by using glass scrubber, pay attention on the algae there. You must not forget to clean the filter tools with pure water, it is not recommended to mix chlorinated water or tap for this because it will result the filter being vulnerable.
Aquarium service is absolutely central activity to keep your fish, so the health and life quality will be related to how we keep them. In the case you can follow above measures and regards, you have to consult to the expert for another way of aquarium service.
You’ve probably heard someone mention the “cycle” to you in regard to your aquarium. What “cycling” refers to is the good bacteria that needs to colonize your filter in order for the water to be perfect for your fish. The fish give off waste and the bacteria consume the waste. Once we have enough bacteria to handle the amount of waste we consider the aquarium “cycled”. We verify this by testing for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. Once these levels are at zero we know the water is ready to start adding more fish.
Today pictures of this rare yellow euphyllia surfaced from high end coral wholesaler Oculus Aquatics. Hammer coral may not be the rarest or hottest thing on the market right now, but this color sure did catch my eye. This is the perfect addition to any euphyllia collectors tank with a color that no other piece will likely match.
The heavy blue lighting from the Kessil Ocean Blue A150W LED pendant really allows the feather duster to stand out and essentially glow along the live rock backdrop. Feather dusters come in a huge variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, with each individual depending heavily on plankton-based foods for long-term health.
