Feeding CUC…

[fladiver]

Have a 32 biocube that is a few months old and currently has a single YT damsel. Have been focused on building a solid CUC that currently consists of a variety of astrea snails, nasarrius snails, hermits, two emerald crabs, a tiger sand conch, and a peppermint shrimp. The tank has a decent amount of growth on the live rock and I am working on getting some algae out of the gravel substrate. But I’ve seen a huge improvement in water clarity since adding a UV sterilizer a few weeks ago.

I’ve seen in some places that folks “feed” their CUC by adding pellets or wafers at times. I usually feed 1-2 times a day a mixture of flakes or frozen food; I try to make sure I don’t overfeed so the food doesn’t end up all over the place. However, I have a strong suspicion that my CUC regularly cannibalizes various members as I have had a few Ceriths disappear along with others. Should I consider adding a few pellets or a wafer from time to time for the CUC? If so, how often? Thanks!

 

[Peace River]

Nori and seaweed are common CUC foods.

 

[fladiver]

Nori and seaweed are common CUC foods.

Thanks I actually have a few boxes of the Nori strips. Is it as simple as attaching a piece to a clip and putting it near the gravel bed? If so, how big?

 

[Peace River]

It depends on the size of the tank, the number and type of CUC, how hungry they are, etc. I would start with folding up one piece, putting it in a clip and then watch it for a couple of days until it disappears.

 

[fladiver]

It depends on the size of the tank, the number and type of CUC, how hungry they are, etc. I would start with folding up one piece, putting it in a clip and then watch it for a couple of days until it disappears.

Really appreciate your responses. I’ll give that a shot. I guess with the nori there is no risk of it all breaking up and clouding up tank etc?

 

[Kigs15]

I always have nori in the tank for my foxface and bristletooth. They rip it to shreds and I see a lot of it end up in rock crevices. I don't clean my rocks or back wall and rarely vacuum the sand bed. I also don't keep massive numbers of CUC so it's been working out for me.

 

[Peace River]

Really appreciate your responses. I’ll give that a shot. I guess with the nori there is no risk of it all breaking up and clouding up tank etc?

Yes. That is the draw instead of feeding extra pellets of traditional foods.

 

[BrianneG]

Great thread, I was wondering the same thing, so thanks for beating me to ask..
@Peace River, is the seaweed and nori, the same stuff you can find at the grocery store