best invert for a pico?

[Dtackett]

so im working on a 1.5 gallon reef vase tank and im looking at live stock. itll be mixed coral but im looking for something else, something I can put in there that will move around. I like sexy shrimp but haven't made up my mind yet.

what would you choose for such a small tank? needs to be coral safe and something that wont get ate by the coral. something that doesn't need feedings more than once maybe twice a week. something small enough that it can move around in an area thatll be pretty tight, there will only be around 2-3 inches of open area around this tank in general, but be big enough to be noticeable.

 

[Ahruk]

I love pom pom crabs but they really need places to hide and feel like a little bit of open space is good for them to waunder around. Sexy shrimp on the other hand will be happy to walk all over the coral and the coral won't mind (might even be able to do a pair).

 

[Cleo642]

A single tiny hermit crab.

 

[46gReef]

Hands down sexy shrimp IMO. Only problem with a hermit in a tank that size is the corals will be irritated by both the hermit walking in them and it's she'll dragging all over the place. You could probably add 3 their so small and their bioload is as well.

 

[Dtackett]

Ive heard sexy shrimp can turn evil and start munching on coral. that's the main thing making me look for something else. they've also gotta be hardy because im only planning on feeding once a week. they'll have to survive off whatever they can pick out of the rock and algae off the glass the rest of the week. ill go without anything besides coral if I have to, but id like something in there lol

 

[Harold Green]

A pair of harlequin shrimp make an awesome display. Drawback is you have to feed them starfish.

 

[Dtackett]

yeah, I would like a pair of harlequin but wont be feeding often enough, and don't want a leg of dead starfish rotting in my mini pico lol it seems sexy shrimp are the way to go.

 

[afamousjohnson]

Why not a pom pom with some sexy's? They look sweet together on the pattern n color scheme.
Sexys can become polyp pullers. They seem opportunistic and will usually hit new additions. Simply drop a few sinking pellets and your golden for them. Then turn on the tunes - sit back - and watch them dance to the music lol it's hilarious.

What about a pederson cleaner shrimp

 

[Dtackett]

with it being such a small tank I need to keep my bioload as low as possible (with the exception of coral that is) so im really only looking for 1 or 2 inverts to put in, and they need to be self reliant without eating my coral. I will only be feeding a maximum of twice a week and I prefer to only do it once. I will be feeding cyclopeeze and possibly something like reefroids, or reef chili. not sure yet. so they have to be able to survive off what I feed my coral. its not common for something to do a tank this small and compact, let alone do this plus add any kind of live stock beyond coral. so im kind of pushing the limits with 2 of anything. the Pederson is beautiful and wouldn't mind having one, but not sure if I can get it locally and I don't order online. ill have to look around.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I love spotted cleaner shrimp. Really pretty addition and small (like pederson). Sexies don't live too long, so if they start eating corals, it won't be for long.

I love some the cool tiny shrimps. Bumblebee shrimp or pair of red lima,

 

[Dtackett]

I like shrimp. theyre fun to watch and the tiny shrimps tend to be small enough they will be able to climp in and out of all the nooks and not bother the coral. my issue is many of the small shrimp need daily or every other day feedings and I cant do that with this setup. i may just run this as coral only with no inverts. that's the obvious choice. but what can i say, i enjoy crabs...

 

[brandon429]

My vote is based on lifespan in my vase

Pom Pom crab 6 yrs and specifically the yellow blue mini type of coral banded stenopus shrimp 5 yrs. ideal animals imo behavior and peroxide tolerance

Sexies were neat but sat on corals a lot I'd not use them again. In larger tanks the corals they get on are rarely the only focal piece like a coral might be in a small vase or the corals might be bigger. But when just one picked at my brain coral it would close up for a whole day

The boxer Pom Pom crabs literally ate all bristleworms I had in 10 hours it was amazing, literally pull them out of rock by force! The yellow blue stenopus didnt fight with him and hid most of the time. Came out at night to feed. 60 mo average on weekly feeds or sometimes twice a week= full report lol. I think buying up plenty of asterina stars from lfs w add a nice non bioload touch.

A cleaner lysmata is indeed ok for the bowl but precludes all peroxide use and thats a real factor.

 

[Dtackett]

you talking about this one? @brandon429 http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+2857+685&pcatid=685

i love pom pom crabs and how they dance, but wasn't sure how they would do in such confined area. my rock work will be pretty tight and likely wont give much hiding room, with the exception of a few overhangs and arches im planning but they will obviously be small. i don't plan on absolutely packing the vase with coral, sometimes less is more. but i do plan to have a good amount. im also debating on sucking it up and buying real live rock for the first time in my life lol don't think starting this with dry rock is such a great idea nor will it look good anytime soon. so hopefully thatll provide a good starter population of worms and pods for the crab/shrimp to eat. i would love to do that combo though. the pom pom and the coral banded shrimp. that just seems like a fun combo.

off topic, i hate h2o2 dosing lol having to do it on my 29 as its growing some gha and im dosing 10ml per gallon.... coral opened up better than ever, fish is more active, tank is looking better, water is cleaner... wait... what am i saying.... I LOVE H2O2 DOSING!!!!

 

[brandon429]

I believe thats it
Am not a stenopus specialist but mine had more blue and the lfs kid told me it was a tiny strain compared to regular ones that can range 6 inches across or more easy

He was right. Stayed small for 5 yrs and molted monthly. I thought he was dead hundreds of times lol then one day I think I got particularly mean with the 35% and he wasn't molting that time there's only so much direct contact a little guy can take I felt bad

He was hiding under a ledge I was blasting free of red algae and it basted him

 

[Dtackett]

ouch. i need to pick up some 35% lol gotta use so much 3% its crazy lol

 

[brandon429]

its mean mean and an instant eye blinder=use eye protection anyone reading !

feels guilty to even mention something that caustic dangerous, but they'll sell it to 14 yr olds from the health food mart as I sent them on errands around the mall, so it cant be too hush hush, anyone can buy. People use it legit to rinse fruits and as dilute bath additive, for soaking in. it was just another offshoot of crazies who began putting it into reef tanks thanks JC for the idea in 2010

 

[Dtackett]

yeah i don't shop at health foods so i guess ill have to make a special trip. haven't seen it at wally world lol

btw would you like me to post your interview on r2r?