CUC/ eel idea and suggestions

[jbeasley]

I have a 200g FOWLR tank currently housing
Halleri round ray
Large Emporer angel
Quoyi parrotfish
Juvenile blueface angel
Porcupine puffer
Violation lionfish

Plan on adding
Harlequin tusk
Niger trigger
Some sort of eel (pref more active) open to suggestions

I feed variety of frozen chunks, every day for now
(Stingray came in on the skinny side trying to fatten him up)
I was wondering the best way of getting a CUC mostly for the pieces that float under rock and other hard to reach places I can’t easily remove

My thoughts are: tiger conchs, long spine urchin, in the future and possibly a reef lobster for those chunks

I obviously don’t want to just throw away money on a CUC for my puffer and future trigger to treat themselves to a buffet

Any suggestions please

 

[Mike7744]

Following this post

 

[jbeasley]

I ordered a 2-3in reef lobster will be in next week. Will keep updated if it becomes a meal or not. Puffer is only about 4-5inches atm. Also ordered 10 nassarius snails, 5 astrea snails and 5 hermits. Im well aware I will probably lose these, but main focus is getting the pieces of nori and food that float under rocks for right now. Please lmk if im missing any obvious or not so obvious critters. Goal is to get something that has the best shot at lasting long term. Will be adding 2 long spine urchins when more algea grows, and some tiger conchs at some point.

Lobster looks super cool and im excited to get it, max out at 5 inches. Hoping little guy can hold its own, and not mess with the 5inch blueface juvi

 

[Mike7744]

I ordered a 2-3in reef lobster will be in next week. Will keep updated if it becomes a meal or not. Puffer is only about 4-5inches atm. Also ordered 10 nassarius snails, 5 astrea snails and 5 hermits. Im well aware I will probably lose these, but main focus is getting the pieces of nori and food that float under rocks for right now. Please lmk if im missing any obvious or not so obvious critters. Goal is to get something that has the best shot at lasting long term. Will be adding 2 long spine urchins when more algea grows, and some tiger conchs at some point.

Lobster looks super cool and im excited to get it, max out at 5 inches. Hoping little guy can hold its own, and not mess with the 5inch blueface juvi

Where did you order these from? I would like to get in on that.

 

[jbeasley]

Vivid aquarium has them in stock

 

[jbeasley]

Haven't seen the lobster outside yet, it found a cave and made its home, nothing can reach in there except the parrot so he should be good to go, just hoping he comes out to scavenge eventually. Puffer did try to eat a snail, but quickly gave up. Emporer also tried at a few snails a few times. I am feeding daily so they stay full, once the ray puts on more weight and i drop the feedings is when the real test will start.

 

[littlefoxx]

If youre worried about an eel eating clean up crew go for a gymno (fang tooth) eel that eats fish. You dont have any small enough fish for an eel to bother with! But conches and that lobster are on the menu for a pebble tooth eel like a zebra for example. Mine took out a huge lobster.

 

[bluemon]

Definitely get a serpent star. Will do great as a guy that can get in between cracks and eat leftover food. And I don’t know of any fish that will harass it

 

[jbeasley]

If youre worried about an eel eating clean up crew go for a gymno (fang tooth) eel that eats fish. You dont have any small enough fish for an eel to bother with! But conches and that lobster are on the menu for a pebble tooth eel like a zebra for example. Mine took out a huge lobster.

I have been thinking of getting either a Yellowhead or Jeweled moray, both are Fang toothed I believe. I got the lobster knowing he's at the puffer's and future trigger and tusk's mercy, but in general i am more fond of the fang toothed

 

[littlefoxx]

I have been thinking of getting either a Yellowhead or Jeweled moray, both are Fang toothed I believe. I got the lobster knowing he's at the puffer's and future trigger and tusk's mercy, but in general i am more fond of the fang toothed

I actually have a jeweled! He is a good eel but will eat anything the same size as a silverside. That includes blennys, cleaner wrasse ect!

 

[bluemon]

I actually have a jeweled! He is a good eel but will eat anything the same size as a silverside. That includes blennys, cleaner wrasse ect!

They are so cute!

I always get a kick out of how cute the eels look when coming out of the same hole.

Give them lots of treats for me

 

[littlefoxx]

They are so cute!

I always get a kick out of how cute the eels look when coming out of the same hole.

Give them lots of treats for me

I will I gotta go to the store and get them more food tomorrow! They are a little crabby with me, Ive been like down and out sick all week! Just scraped my glass for the first time today and that was nasty! Ivar was all like mom excuse me but I want a silverside

 

[bluemon]

I will I gotta go to the store and get them more food tomorrow! They are a little crabby with me, Ive been like down and out sick all week! Just scraped my glass for the first time today and that was nasty! Ivar was all like mom excuse me but I want a silverside

Do they try to bite you??

Or like headbutt you?

I can’t imagine a bite from an eel when a bite from a clownfish can be so vicious.

 

[littlefoxx]

Do they try to bite you??

Or like headbutt you?

I can’t imagine a bite from an eel when a bite from a clownfish can be so vicious.

Oh yeah Ive been bitten before but its usually cause they mistake my finger for food! They usually let go immediately when they realize its my finger! Loki (the white eye) loves to get chin scratches before he ears his food. I can pet them all usually before I feed them and they dont mind. Loki just really likes it more than the others! Ill have to get a video of him he is like a water puppy