How ma ny shrimp is too many???

[hurrifan]

In my 180 reef I have a mated pair of coral banded, and am considering adding more. I have 3 peppermint from another tank I want to throw in and I want to add a cleaner shrimp. Do all of these species get along? I may not add all 3 peppermint, b/c I have had a problem with one of them eating my Xenia eay back when. Are the cleaner shrimp good additions?

 

[dmentnich]

I would say it is dependant on weather or not you want pods and such in the main tank. I have a 75 Gal with a very large refugium so I do not worry about the depletion in the main tank. I keep a coral banded, 3 peppermints and 1 cleaner. IMO the cleaner is the post peacful and interesting of the bunch. I just have to feed the fish more as the shrimp seem to think that I am feeding only them- bloody pigs!

-Danny