What Shrimp are really reef safe?

[Steve McKay]

I like shrimp but have found the ones I've kept are not completely reef safe. I've had Camel and Peppermint shrimp,both pick at Feather Dusters and Coco Worms and I've witnessed Peppermints turning over my snails so they would expire and could be eaten afterward.I'd like to have a shrimp!What shrimp are reef safe?

[zhenya]

Steve, camelback shrimp is not reef safe.
I can safely say that true cleaner shrimp like Lysmata amboinensis are completely safe in a reef aquarium. I have two at the moment that I transfered from my 75 to the 110g tank and I never seen them bother anything. Just make sure you do not keep agressive wrasses and hawkfish as they will eat them.

PS. Looking at your avatar I assume that you have a six-line wrasse in your aquarium. This may or may not present a problem, personally I think it may. Those little wrasses can be a terror to crustaceans and other tankmates.

[Steve McKay]

Yes I do have one,I've seen him eat baby brittle stars but I have to many for him to do any real harm.I had one smaller (1") Peppermint that he left alone, I'll try a true cleaner and see if the "cleaner bond" is there.Thanks!