Shrimp guy stopped over

[duanes]

Here on the island of Taboga, besides the ocean fishermen, there are hunter gatherer guys that make a little money by going into the jungle to bring mangos, avocados, and other fruits that seem to grow wild. About 90% of the island is thick forest.

One of our main guys goes up to some seasonal pools and streams, (after seeing my tank), and brings back shrimp and other crustaceans.
He found a sleeper last week.

Today he brought back a bucket of freshwater shrimp, and half dozen avocados.


The smaller ones get in fights with the larger shrimp, and once one is incapacitated, the cichlids and goby's move in as a pack to clean up the remains.

 

[duanes]

After the initial cichlid frenzy and ruckus, the sleeper came out, and claimed possession of the left over bits.

 

[tlindsey]

Nothing like fresh fruit and shrimp delivered to your door. That Sleeper Goby reminds me of a Wolfish.

 

[duanes]

Way less active than a wolf, I only see it once every 3 days or so, because it hides under rock ledges partially buried, and if I was waiting for it to move, I might fall asleep.
The Awaous is much more animated, and entertaining, chasing the cichlids around, and constantly sifting thru the sand, and eating algae off rocks.

 

[duanes]

After stalking the crawdad (almost the length of the fish) for about an hour

the sleeper finally hit. After grabbing it, the Eleotris spun like a croc knocking the crustacean senseless, before working it slowly down with its second set of pharyngeal jaws.

Shot taken from above, the legs are still slightly visible.

All shrimp or crawdads are not subjected to predations, I use a double sump, and put one in each to help break down detritus. Below, one sitting on a block of porous media.

 

[Backfromthedead]

How long before that sleeper starts claiming cichlids? I give it 6 months.

 

[duanes]

I am surprised none have disappeared yet, I expected the smallest to be quickly eaten, but so far the count remains at a bakers dozen.