I think there should be a sticky on clean-up crews. I've read several threads talking about various snails and crabs and such, but I think there should be a simple compilation list of clean-up crew members and their individual roles, a simple reference to aid anyone who needs help on deciding which to purchase.
So far I have collective info on various organisms and what uses they serve, feel free to correct me or add:
SNAILS
All need to have an established tank (sg 1.021-1.026) with possible supplements of Calcium and proper pH and kh in order to use calcium. They are highly sensitive to copper-based meds- never ever use one in your tank! In a full reef I'd recommend as many as 1 snail per gallon to control algal growth.Turbo
*hair algae
Astrea
*cleans glass
*green, brown film algae
Trochus
*cleans glass
*stirs sand
*Variety of algae
Nerite
*cleans glass
*suggested for refugiums
Nassarius
*stirs sand
*detritus
Cerith
*stirs sand
*film algae
*diatoms
*cyanobacteria
*detritus
*hair algae (? I've found conflicting info)
Margarita
*not suggested, will die at tropical temperatures
Red-Legged
*detritus
*”best” algae eater
*hair algae
*cyanobacteria
Bue-Legged
*detritus
*hair algae
*cyanobacteria
*comparatively bad temperament
Others
Emerald
*bubble algae
*hair algae
*generally herbivore
Sally Lightfoot
*micro & macro algae
*detritus
*left over food
*dead fish
Sand-Sifting
*stirs sand
*detritus
*infaunal organisms
*detritus
*infaunal organisms
So far I have collective info on various organisms and what uses they serve, feel free to correct me or add:
SNAILS
All need to have an established tank (sg 1.021-1.026) with possible supplements of Calcium and proper pH and kh in order to use calcium. They are highly sensitive to copper-based meds- never ever use one in your tank! In a full reef I'd recommend as many as 1 snail per gallon to control algal growth.
*hair algae
Astrea
*cleans glass
*green, brown film algae
Trochus
*cleans glass
*stirs sand
*Variety of algae
Nerite
*cleans glass
*suggested for refugiums
Nassarius
*stirs sand
*detritus
Cerith
*stirs sand
*film algae
*diatoms
*cyanobacteria
*detritus
*hair algae (? I've found conflicting info)
Margarita
*not suggested, will die at tropical temperatures
CRABS
Also require sg from 1.021-1.026. They are sensitive to copper also and you must provide the hermits with spare shells or they'll kill your snails.
HermitsAlso require sg from 1.021-1.026. They are sensitive to copper also and you must provide the hermits with spare shells or they'll kill your snails.
Red-Legged
*detritus
*”best” algae eater
*hair algae
*cyanobacteria
Bue-Legged
*detritus
*hair algae
*cyanobacteria
*comparatively bad temperament
Others
Emerald
*bubble algae
*hair algae
*generally herbivore
Sally Lightfoot
*micro & macro algae
STARFISH
Are great detrivores and sand-cleaners, all need adequate hiding places and no aggressive critters! They are very sensitive to copper and nitrates.
SerpentAre great detrivores and sand-cleaners, all need adequate hiding places and no aggressive critters! They are very sensitive to copper and nitrates.
*detritus
*left over food
*dead fish
Sand-Sifting
*stirs sand
*detritus
*infaunal organisms
CUCUMBERS
Are great detrivores and sand-cleaners but are most all toxic, so you have to make sure there are no aggressive fish in your tank or they'll eviscerate themselves, in which case the toxic guts or bronchial area will rapidly foul your tank. They are very sensitive to copper and nitrates.
Sand-DwellingAre great detrivores and sand-cleaners but are most all toxic, so you have to make sure there are no aggressive fish in your tank or they'll eviscerate themselves, in which case the toxic guts or bronchial area will rapidly foul your tank. They are very sensitive to copper and nitrates.
*detritus
*infaunal organisms