Good inverts for a community tank?

[vampie]

I never like the idea of those.. they look so unnatural and seem so limiting to crabs like Red claws and Fiddlers, which spend a lot of time and activity on land. And with the airline attached, you're giving them an easy way to crawl out of your tank.

 

[Smitty114]

I never like the idea of those.. they look so unnatural and seem so limiting to crabs like Red claws and Fiddlers, which spend a lot of time and activity on land. And with the airline attached, you're giving them an easy way to crawl out of your tank.

What about the vampire?

I'm sure the airhole is small enough to keep them out, hopefully. But, in a bigger tank like the one I was thinking of getting, I could put it towards the back so it's not standing out like a sore thumb. Plus, some of those aren't small and they'd definitely have moving room. But, I understand your point. If I ever try it out I'll report the results.

 

[pixl8r]

What about the vampire?

I'm sure the airhole is small enough to keep them out, hopefully. But, in a bigger tank like the one I was thinking of getting, I could put it towards the back so it's not standing out like a sore thumb. Plus, some of those aren't small and they'd definitely have moving room. But, I understand your point. If I ever try it out I'll report the results.

Vampire crabs (Geosesarma sp.) would not do well in an established (or semi established) community tank. They really need a vivarium (mostly land, small pool of water), like Mellowvision said. If you ever do decide to get marine crabs (fiddler or red claw crab), check out the paludariums Mellow made, excellent designs.

One other type of shrimp that has not been discussed are Macrobrachium. There are many that are notoriously aggressive, and others that have the temperament of a guppy.

I would recommend M. dayanum (Red Claw shrimp) or M. lanchasteri (Whisker shrimp) for a community tank. M dayanum are docile towards fish, and, in my tanks at least, have never harmed a snail. M. lanchasteri is similar, but may be more aggressive. They are not in my tanks, but some have reported that they can be. They both reproduce in freshwater, though the M. lanchasteri aren't as prolific, as their young go through a few larval stages, so fish would be more likely to munch on them.

There's also M. kulsiense, Pearl/sand/snowflake shrimp, but they are extremly docile, and are easily stressed by fish. They are as harmless as a shrimp can be, but don't do well in community tanks.

Crayfish will tend to shred any living plants, but there are plenty of docile species to pick from, mostly dwarf species.

I don't know about the Thai micro crabs, but I do plan on getting some soon. My primary interest is in shrimp, but I've had crayfish and crab phases. Arrakis had some for sale, though I don't know if there are any left.

Good luck!

 

[mellowvision]

yeah, I don't think one of those crab bubbles would do it... they really need to be able to express their instinct. in the case of red claws, they need to burrow, and ideally, so that the water level is the bottom of their cave. in the case of vampires, they are climbers and would want the birds eye view but never be able to find it, without leaving the tank, so that would be their ultimate demise.

if you want a full aquarium, stick with fish and shrimp. honestly, shrimp complicate things quite a bit, have different needs than the fish, and are sensitive to meds, etc... you might have an easier go with just fish.

did I just say that?
I like my shrimp far more than any of my fish. except maybe my hatchets.

 

[vampie]

What about the vampire?

I'm sure the airhole is small enough to keep them out, hopefully. But, in a bigger tank like the one I was thinking of getting, I could put it towards the back so it's not standing out like a sore thumb. Plus, some of those aren't small and they'd definitely have moving room. But, I understand your point. If I ever try it out I'll report the results.

I'd believe those require a lot of land as well. You have to keep in mind these crabs are more terrestrial than aquatic.

You could try looking into the larger aquatic crabs like Panthers, Rusties and the ones from Lake Malawi and Tanganyikan, etc, but I *think* most of them will hunt and eat fish.

 

[Smitty114]

I'd believe those require a lot of land as well. You have to keep in mind these crabs are more terrestrial than aquatic.

You could try looking into the larger aquatic crabs like Panthers, Rusties and the ones from Lake Malawi and Tanganyikan, etc, but I *think* most of them will hunt and eat fish.

Yeah, they probably would.

Thanks for all the input y'all.

I've narrowed down my wants and I'm thinking of going with about 2 bala sharks, a red tailed shark, a school of glofish and possibly some other things, but that will probably be the starter. It could change, though.

I just really wanted to be able to have some type of critter invert on the bottom, seems there would be something, but I guess not. Crayfish may eat my fish and the shrimp will be eaten, and crabs require land.

Would a crayfish not work if the fish are big enough, though? For example once the sharks get big enough (6+ inches), would a cray be able to hunt them? It wouldn't seem so but I know crays are great and aggressive hunters. Plus, if the cray were too small then the shark would probably snack on the cray, right? Would a 4-5+ inch cray likely get devoured?

 

[pixl8r]

...[edit]...

if you want a full aquarium, stick with fish and shrimp. honestly, shrimp complicate things quite a bit, have different needs than the fish, and are sensitive to meds, etc... you might have an easier go with just fish.

did I just say that?
I like my shrimp far more than any of my fish. except maybe my hatchets.

BLASPHEMY! :lipssealedsmilie: Where's the lighter fluid?

 

[pixl8r]

Yeah, they probably would.

Thanks for all the input y'all.

I've narrowed down my wants and I'm thinking of going with about 2 bala sharks, a red tailed shark, a school of glofish and possibly some other things, but that will probably be the starter. It could change, though.

I just really wanted to be able to have some type of critter invert on the bottom, seems there would be something, but I guess not. Crayfish may eat my fish and the shrimp will be eaten, and crabs require land.

Would a crayfish not work if the fish are big enough, though? For example once the sharks get big enough (6+ inches), would a cray be able to hunt them? It wouldn't seem so but I know crays are great and aggressive hunters. Plus, if the cray were too small then the shark would probably snack on the cray, right? Would a 4-5+ inch cray likely get devoured?

With the fish you're thinking of, any crustacean would be at serious risk. You could try it, but remember, crayfish molt. At such times, anything can take a chunk out of them.

You could try some, but I would not spend much money on an 'exotic' dwarf crayfish, if it's just going to be dinner.

 

[Lolfish197]

Yeah, I checked this out and I am definitely purchase one if I include vampire crabs in my 55.

 

[huffmagx]

I didn't think I was into snails either but I have been converted ( can I get a Yeah Sister!)
If you are judging from the "pet store" snails as I was and you can buy them their sometimes but not in all their forms and glorious colors!
I have some Pomcea Brigs that I got from a member on AC in my heavily planted 55 and I love them they add another level of life to the aquarium that is just not there with fish only. Some of my Brigs are huge now (a BIG golf ball!!) and quite commical to watch!!

I'm not trying to talk you into something you don't want just letting you know my experience with them. They do not seem to bother my cherry shrimp either no matter how big they get.

Good Luck to you!