View Full Version : Need clean up crew that is tough (wont be eaten)
I have a large FO marine tank and I get a healthy amount of detritus on top of my gravel that will grow algea very quickly if not dealt with.
I tried adding 3 Astrea snails, but they were eaten by my butterfly and angel. I tried feeding my fish their regular food to distract them, but they found the snails to be to good to leave alone. THe snails wound up dieing.
I really am looking for clean up crew animals that will be able to withstand my fish...is there any such animal?
Is an urchin a good idea? I have heard these guys can be problematic...
what about a hermit crab or a starfish?
is a star fish tuff enough to withstand curious fish?
OrionGirl
02-10-2004, 11:05 AM
Try getting nassarius snails. They tend to stay in the substrate better. They reproduce inmy tank, so I have a good supply of them and the few that the trigger gets aren't a big deal.
A large hermit may work, but may cause other problems--they tend to be bull dozers.
Bristleworms would also help out--they are mostly nocturnal, and stay well hidden during the day to avoid predators.
I wouldn't go with a star--they would help, but IME, it only takes one mistake on their part before they get torn up badly. Even the sand sifters--I tried one with the trigger, and it was fine for a few months, then came up missing 3 arms. It survived, but I removed it from the tank to prevent it from getting attacked again.
I had a turbo snail attacked and mortally wounded when a hermit crab got it during the day while he lay dormant. Try a load of hermits. The Hawaiian zebra hermits don't get big and are pretty tough. At least they can crawl way up in their shell when threatened.
Fighting conches anyone? They're sustrate cleaners too.
Apone
02-10-2004, 11:58 AM
I did notice that when harrassed my snails were unable to completely move into their shells....this was especially bad if my fish turned them over.
I think it is important to either have a large amount of snails that are smaller and hid in the substrate....or get aniamls that can completely retract into their shells when needed...