When I try to target feed my corals, my two skunk-cleaner shrimp go nutz and swarm the whole area, climbing all over the coral and causing them to close up. This seems to defeat the purpose of target feeding... The only thought I have is to start taking my turkey baster, and chasing them with it, try to get them afraid of the thing, but it seems that stressing out my critters by chasing them around with a turkey baster isn't an ideal solution, any other ideas on how to get them away?

I tried distracting them with my hand (they seem to like picking at me), but the second the scent of oyster eggs hits the water nothing seems to distract them...

Try feeding the shrimp first? I usually let my peppermint fill up before feeding anything else. It keeps him busy long enough for the corals to at least grab the food and start eating.

I do. I feed them mysis first. I guess I could feed them enough to keep them busy for longer, but then I feel like I'm getting in the realm of overfeeding (they seem to horde as much as they can get, more voracious than the fish).

How many do you have and in what size tank?

You don't necessairally have to give them more, just something that will keep them occupied long enough to spot feed the corals.

They're scavengers.. they're scavengin.

20g long, there are 2 of the shrimp. I really don't blame them, I'm sure the eggs smell tasty Just inconvenient for me, hehe. Since they come out and check out everything that touches the water, I had the idea to see if they'll jump in a net for as long as it takes me to feed the corals. Guess I'll find out next feeding

I chase mine with the turkey baster all the time, doesnt stress mine out at least. Its not like I beat them, i just shoo them away.

Feed them something like a meaty chunk that they have to pick at for awhile. They just bundle up mysis and devour it real fast. A small piece of silverside or freeze dried krill would work.

Me too. My cleaner shrimp are INSANE ! It takes forever to target feed corals cuz I have to guard them until they swallow it, or the shrimp will dig it out. I thought they would get scared of the baster, but they don't. They make me so mad sometimes I want to beat them.

+1, they arent scared of it. You have to just keep backing them off.

that's one reason I love the fire shrimp so much. They are so shy and they never leave their area even when I feed my corals. It just come out begging for food but does not invade the coral.

The draw back is that it's hard to see the shrimp since it rarely leave it's hiding spot.

I would feed your shrimps FIRST and while they are busy eating, then feed your coral. Give them enough food to keep them busy long enough and give them food that is harder to eat, like piece of raw shrimp?. Voilà, problem solved.

I have the same problem but i noticed if i put some mysis in a small hole or crevice in the rock away from when im feeding my corals, the (Coral Banded Shrimp) tends to just pick at the hole and try to get the mysis... But as the other reefers were saying i had to do this first because my banded shrimp i can even hand feed, he is so obnoxious he basically attacks anything in the tank so he doesnt fear my hand or anything else so you need to feed them first.