Our clean up crew have arrived ...

[happymoggy1]

As title suggests our clean up crew were delivered early this morning (husband's got day off, lucky him!).

They have been aclimatised and have been put in the tank now - we've got 2 peppermint shrimps (were told 2 were ok), 12 virbex snails (which are tiny apparently) and 2 Emerald Mithrax crabs (sp).

I didnt realise what they actually looked like - but my husbands said they look 'mean things'.

They've all gone and are getting used to their surroundings - the peppermint shrimps have both found a nice place to hang from the rock apparently!

Does anyone know what the limits are on adding things like crabs, snails etc to a 47 gallon tank? Wouldnt mind getting another different type of crab in there but dont want to start a war!

[Reefscape]

Two mithrax crabs are more than enough really, so would not be adding anymore..With cleanup crews, i dont think it is so much on what size the tank is, but more so how much algae and cleaning needs to be done...i would prolly be tempted to buy yourself 5 hermits ( red or blue or combination ). they do provide valuable cleanup skills to the tank..

if anything else, maybe a couple of cleaner shrimps. They are great scavenger feeders of the tank as you wont really be seeing much of the peppermints as they are a very nocturnal shrimp and they do their tasks at night when the lights are out....

Besides from that, you should be all good..

Niko

[happymoggy1]

Thanks for the quick reply - will take your advice re the crabs!

Have always liked hermit crabs but worry that we'll forget to buy bigger 'homes' for them (as I assume they die if they dont have a shell on their backs) but will have to try get some I think.

We already have 1 cleaner shrimp - would adding a 2nd cause any issues?

[Germanman]

yea some hermits would be great. and i find that the emerald crabs will tend to start eating stuff u dont want them to if the run out of food so i only have one in my 55 used to have 2 but one died. i agree that 2 is just fine of a number in there.

[Reefscape]

Adding a another cleaner will be fine..