So long story short, but somehow I ended up with a predator tank, even though I wasn't trying. 3 evildoers are:
1. Peppermint Hogfish
2. Twospot Hogfish
3. Melanurus Wrasse
I knew the risks were there, but I didn't expect a sudden change. I removed all inverts from the DT as the tank went through hypo salinity to address a potential ich infestation that snuck in through the QT protocol. Unfortunately cleanup crew barely made it through a standalone tank QT. Hermits killed most snails, cleaner shrimp died, 2 banded trochus snails made it, but had a horrible smell.
Day 1 moving inverts back into the system. Within seconds, Melanurus flipped both trochus and ate them. I attribute it to them potentially already being on the way out, and having that horrible smell.
Day 7: I acquired new inverts at the LFT. 3 turbo snails, conch, 4 red led hermits, possibly scarlets but unsure, and a cleaner shrimp. Acclimation, drip, etc. and they all go in. Right away they are very interested in the cleaner shrimp, not harassment per say, but Watanabei Angel was doing the dance, I think asking for a cleaning. Out of no where, Twospot grabs it by the tail, drags it across the tank, at which point Peppermint fights for it, wins, grabs by the tail into the rock, Melanurus joins, also wins, grabs by tail across the tank, and into the rock once again it goes. Half of the body swims out a minute later and red tail trigger eats it in a single move. Most expensive meal the tank has received. Since then one of the hermits was also killed.
So here's what I am wondering, what should I do? Relocate the 3 trouble makers, leave it alone as they are all doing great, if I leave them alone, what do I do for the cleanup crew?
1. Peppermint Hogfish
2. Twospot Hogfish
3. Melanurus Wrasse
I knew the risks were there, but I didn't expect a sudden change. I removed all inverts from the DT as the tank went through hypo salinity to address a potential ich infestation that snuck in through the QT protocol. Unfortunately cleanup crew barely made it through a standalone tank QT. Hermits killed most snails, cleaner shrimp died, 2 banded trochus snails made it, but had a horrible smell.
Day 1 moving inverts back into the system. Within seconds, Melanurus flipped both trochus and ate them. I attribute it to them potentially already being on the way out, and having that horrible smell.
Day 7: I acquired new inverts at the LFT. 3 turbo snails, conch, 4 red led hermits, possibly scarlets but unsure, and a cleaner shrimp. Acclimation, drip, etc. and they all go in. Right away they are very interested in the cleaner shrimp, not harassment per say, but Watanabei Angel was doing the dance, I think asking for a cleaning. Out of no where, Twospot grabs it by the tail, drags it across the tank, at which point Peppermint fights for it, wins, grabs by the tail into the rock, Melanurus joins, also wins, grabs by tail across the tank, and into the rock once again it goes. Half of the body swims out a minute later and red tail trigger eats it in a single move. Most expensive meal the tank has received. Since then one of the hermits was also killed.
So here's what I am wondering, what should I do? Relocate the 3 trouble makers, leave it alone as they are all doing great, if I leave them alone, what do I do for the cleanup crew?
