Peppermint shrimp hanging out near the surface

[jedimaster1138]

Over the past week my 3 peppermints have started spending uh...99% of the time (at least that I'm looking) hanging out near the surface of my tank. They generally hang on my return j tube (the left one always too) or in between it and the glass etc. Occasionally on or around my mp10. (again, the left one)

I've had them for months...one for nearly 5 months. They used to just hang out in the rock work 100% of the time and occasionally come out when I fed or when the lights were out. Now they are out nearly 100% of the time.

I also have a skunk cleaner...they don't seem to fight...or acknowledge each other's existence. The skunk however likes to tickle my hand when I stick it in the tank.

Anyone ever see this surface dwelling behavior in peppermints?

 

[jedimaster1138]

I also tend to park my magnetic cleaner on the left side, high, in the back. They seem to like sitting on that too. Again, near the surface, under the lights...

 

[Cibo]

Mine are all over the tank when the moon lights come on.

 

[skene]

They are just finding spots to hang out in. Wouldn't worry too much.

 

[guarda]

maybe looking for oxygen?

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Or maybe feeding on surface crud!!

 

[jedimaster1138]

Not sure how it could be O2...I have a pretty open set up and turn my water over a lot, plus the 2x mp10's, plus skim hard etc. (a good skimmer injects o2 into the system right?)

Temperature is around 80...at first I thought it could be that, but then I realized they are closer to the lights, so that makes no sense, though they are LED's so there should be no heat issue.

Maybe it's spawning behavior? Do peppermints spawn like that? I'll have to look that up. My clowns are getting very familiar lately, I wonder if they are feeling cupid's arrow too.

I'm gonna conclude they are just weirdos Or they are scared of the skunk, which I suppose is possible. I know I am. That thing really wants to exfoliate my hand every time I put it in the tank. heh