Amano Shrimp Attacking my Sick Guppy

One of my (large) "Red Head" guppy got a little bloat (which I am treating) and so has for the last couple of days spent time at the bottom of the tank, but now and then joins the other guppies.

This evening I was shocked to find him being attacked by two of the large Amano Shrimp, playing tug of war with him as he struggled to get away, which he did several times.

The Amano have plenty of varied food to eat and while I know they are omnivore opportunist eaters, there do not seem to be many accounts online of this happening, has anyone else experienced this, aggressive behavior?

After removing from the tank. the guppy died in the end, so maybe they sensed that it would, but it was certainly putting up a fight each time and the Amano were disturbingly aggressive.

 

Sorry about your guppy. You basically answered your own question. All tank inhabitants including shrimp are opportunists.

 

One of my (large) "Red Head" guppy got a little bloat (which I am treating) and so has for the last couple of days spent time at the bottom of the tank, but now and then joins the other guppies.

This evening I was shocked to find him being attacked by two of the large Amano Shrimp, playing tug of war with him as he struggled to get away, which he did several times.

The Amano have plenty of varied food to eat and while I know they are omnivore opportunist eaters, there do not seem to be many accounts online of this happening, has anyone else experienced this, aggressive behavior?

After removing from the tank. the guppy died in the end, so maybe they sensed that it would, but it was certainly putting up a fight each time and the Amano were disturbingly aggressive.

I had a Von Rio that was at the end of his days resting on the bottom minding his own business and one of my Amanos tried to pull him into the corner but the fish escaped. So yes they will take advantage when possible. Life of the scavenger.

 

I believe shrimps in general have the ability to sense weak or dying fish / shrimp.

 

I have since moved the Amano Mobster Clan to one of my other tanks, populated with more suitably sized fish that a have similar aptitude, so they can play their Hunger Games and the Guppy / Endler tank is now a lot more peaceful with just Sapphire Cherry Shrimp and the gorgeous Gabonensis (" Vlad the Inhaler").