So recently, I aquired some new snails and other invertebrates to combat a recent increase of algae in my tank. My population of snails was decreasing so it was time to restock.
Among my new pets were 2 fuzzy chitons. Within about 12 hours of placing the chitons in the tank both had been consumed by (I think) bristle worms. Maybe shipping was an issue and they were already weak but I saw them starting to move as the lights got dimmer so they weren't dead.
Unfortunately I also saw bristle worms pursuing the slow moving chitons and by morning there was just empty chiton shells.
I'm not opposed to bristle worms. They serve a purpose in my aquarium. But there's a lot of them now. So maybe time to thin the herd? Does anyone else have experience with fuzzy chitons? Have you had issues with bristle worms talking then out?
Now to the urchins. I'm thinking about picking one up to help with the algae but I'm concerned about the bristle worms going after it. I think urchins would be pretty hard for a bristle worm to take out but I thought the same about the chitons. Any experiences good or bad with urchins and bristle worms? The tank has been running for over 13 years so it's nice and mature for an urchin. And I seem to be real good at growing algae! But I totally understand that feeding the urchin might be needed it the future. Anyone try feeding those algae wafers to an urchin? I know they're marketed for freshwater but I'm wondering if an urchin would also do well on them. I know nori sheets will work but my tang would likely steal the nori before the urchin got much. Maybe the wafers would be less appealing to the tang and the urchin could just park over it?
Thanks!
Among my new pets were 2 fuzzy chitons. Within about 12 hours of placing the chitons in the tank both had been consumed by (I think) bristle worms. Maybe shipping was an issue and they were already weak but I saw them starting to move as the lights got dimmer so they weren't dead.
Unfortunately I also saw bristle worms pursuing the slow moving chitons and by morning there was just empty chiton shells.
I'm not opposed to bristle worms. They serve a purpose in my aquarium. But there's a lot of them now. So maybe time to thin the herd? Does anyone else have experience with fuzzy chitons? Have you had issues with bristle worms talking then out?
Now to the urchins. I'm thinking about picking one up to help with the algae but I'm concerned about the bristle worms going after it. I think urchins would be pretty hard for a bristle worm to take out but I thought the same about the chitons. Any experiences good or bad with urchins and bristle worms? The tank has been running for over 13 years so it's nice and mature for an urchin. And I seem to be real good at growing algae! But I totally understand that feeding the urchin might be needed it the future. Anyone try feeding those algae wafers to an urchin? I know they're marketed for freshwater but I'm wondering if an urchin would also do well on them. I know nori sheets will work but my tang would likely steal the nori before the urchin got much. Maybe the wafers would be less appealing to the tang and the urchin could just park over it?
Thanks!