New critters

[piglet007]

Well, I went ahead and got some new critters for the tank.. Going to see how these guys do. My husband was at one fish store, I at the other LOL. I got a fire shrimp, coral banded shrimp and I did do a major impulse buy. I went and got a small chocolate chip starfish. It was a private owned fish store and the old guy in there seemed fairly knowledgable. He had the starfish in with a bunch of others and a few fish. He said he has had no problems with them eating the fish, but that he wouldn't gaurentee it. He wasn't trying to sell me anything either which was good. I know they need to be target fed. I got some frozen brine for him. Now my question about him is, how exactly do you target feed? He's been moving along the glass, hanging out at the top of the water with his two legs curled out ( I read that they did this, can't figure out why though). I fed some of the brine last night and some flake food. Do I drop it on him? The lfs guy said that I might want to feed him at night, because they are more active at night.

My husband came home with a horseshoe crap and an emerald crap. He was only suppose to get a peppermint shrimp but he liked the behavior of these two crabs. So far everyone is getting along well. My copperbanded shrimp has been by the side of the emerald crab since last night. The fire shrimp has been hanging out on the one side of the tank, checking out the hiding areas. The horseshoe crab buryied himself last night and he is still buryied today. I read that they will do this for a few days possibly. I don't think he was the best thing to buy (along with the starfish I'm sure) but my husband picked him out. They look to be happy so far. Hoping that they stay happy. Course the damsel was all nosy and he didn't bother anyone yet, course nobodies been in his boat sleeping either.

So can someone explain to me exactly how to target feed cocoa ( the starfish), do Jacque ( the fire shrimp) and peewee ( the copper shrimp) need anything else special aside from whats in the tank and the flake food? CD ( the horseshoe crab and the nonamed emerald crab, same question.

Does anyone else name their fish? I'm really excited to see the new critters and watching how they act is pretty neat. The kids were excited as well.

 

[OrionGirl]

Well, the horse shoe is not a good idea. They tend to live very, very short lives in aquariums, especially those without huge areas of open sand and well established sand bed fauna. Sorry--he probably won't last more than a few months.

I'm not a fan of CBS--they can be very aggressive towards other crustaceans, so watch him closely. They will scavenge food from all over, but marine pellets or frozen foods that break up and swirl are a good choice for all the crustaceans.

Love the blood shrimp--they are goreous, will clean fish, and are happy by themselves, or in a pair.

The emeralds are typically beneficial--they like algae and will take prepared foods as well.

The star: when he flips up like that, drop food into that central area on the bottom. That's where his mouth is, and he's likely begging. For simple creatures, chocolate chips can learn this. You won't want to attempt corals now--chocolate chip stars are predatory.

 

[piglet007]

Thanks OG I knew after husband bringing home the horseshoe crab that he may not make it long. I already warned him. He really likes him too. The fire shrimp is beautiful. Now he will clean the fish?? So I won't need another cleaner shrimp (skunk cleaner? ) Does that sound ok for cleanup crew? I will be watching them closely for bad behavior. Now, back to the starfish, I really like him. I have the frozen brine, do I drop the whole thing on him? I was going to do that but wasn't sure, so last night I just dropped the brine in there. Now the lfs said every other day but I don't want him to go hungry. I don't plan on corals either. So should that be enough for now? Anything else that I could get as far as cleanup crew. My turbo snail is doing ok too. He's definetly getting around.

 

[OrionGirl]

Well, it's a good start, but I wouldn't call it a full crew. Definitely more, and varied snails--they are very good. Cleaner shrimp get along fine with blood (I have a pair of blood and a trio of cleaners), though they don't hang out together--I wouldn't consider a blood a replacement for a cleaner. The bloods will clean, but they tend to be picky about what fish they will clean, while skunks are frantic about cleaning anything and everything (they will happily clean your hands, for example).

I'd probably pick up some meaty wafers for the star. It's much easier for him to eat than the frozen brine, although the brine will be a good treat. Larger shrimp, like mysis or krill, or silversides will be easiest to feed, and everyone else will like them as well.