Boxer shrimp developing attitude

[Knowleman]

We have had a banded corel (boxer) shrimp for about 6 months and he has
been a great member of the community, growing steadiy to about 3 inches
in body length with about a 10-12 inch feeler span (that's a guess).
Recently, though, he has started lunging at the fish as they swim close
by and has been observed persistently hassling the anemone (until the
two clowns eventually "convince him" to go away).

Is this development of an "attitude" normal? Should we be expecting
more serious trouble?

[GrimReaper]

I guess when Mike Tyson was a baby he did not have an attitude but as he got
bigger - well you know the rest. Its the same with animals. They do not rely
on us feeding them regularly. If they can catch something and eat it they
will. It is not an "attitude" as such its normal behaviour for a wild
animal. We sometime forget that what we keep are wild animals and they will,
at some point, revert to that. In India, many years ago, I have had the
privilege of holding a very young tiger cub. I would not have tried the same
a year later!!


Regards
GrimReaper

[Boomer]

Actually these shrimp in nature are cleaner shrimp and set up cleaning stations. However,
at time they can get nasty. You will often see this with many crustaceans especially as
they get larger. Most of the aggression comes during preecdysis (pre-molt), where they
want food .......NOW !!...........to hold them over till the next feeding after
postecdysis.

--
Boomer

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Former US Army Bomb Technician (EOD)
Member; IABTI, NATEODA, WEODF, ISEE & IPS

If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up


"Knowleman" > wrote in message
oups.com...
: We have had a banded corel (boxer) shrimp for about 6 months and he has
: been a great member of the community, growing steadiy to about 3 inches
: in body length with about a 10-12 inch feeler span (that's a guess).
: Recently, though, he has started lunging at the fish as they swim close
: by and has been observed persistently hassling the anemone (until the
: two clowns eventually "convince him" to go away).
:
: Is this development of an "attitude" normal? Should we be expecting
: more serious trouble?
: