Invert suggestions wanted for a 5gal

[dansyr]

As title says, looking for suggestions for a focal (motile) invert to add to my 5 gal pico. Main criteria are that the invert actually be happy in here, secondarily look interesting and not need a toooon of special care/diet. Overall tank is high flow, bare bottom meant for SPS eventually (have a couple frags in there growing in, will be awhile before it goes).

Detailed parameters/criteria are below, along with a list of the types of things I've been thinking about - I would love to hear personal experiences with any of these ('the body was small but it roamed everywhere, not good for small tanks") or any suggestions of inverts i can't think about.

Safety - I really like clams, have 2 in there (one temporary, other will stay long-term) so being safe with clams is essential, safe on CUC etc is awesome but optional.

Physical details:
5 gal AIO, DT about 12" long x 9" deep x 8 high"
Bright (~200 par in shadows under wavemakers, ~300-450 elsewhere)
medium/high flow (~60x turnover, force is enough to bounce hermits around but they can still hang on)
No fish - current invert stock 2x blue leg hermits, 1x nerite, 3x astraea, 2x tridacna
Regular reef chemistry (78-79˚F, 5-10ppm NO3, 0.0-0.02ppm PO4, ~8dkh alk, ~400ppm Ca). Fairly stable, running several months with 2x tridacnas + ez SPS .

Somewhat flexible :
Bare bottom - willing to add some rubble/small rock pieces around the rockwork, but no DSB, aragonite sand
No anemones/LPS - I don't want mobile sting-y things, eventually once it's coral dominated and has more shaded crevices maybe a RFA or maxi-mini might go in, but not planning on it

Candidates:
Micro decorator - current front-runner. Compatibility with high flow/bright light? OK with bare bottom? Other decorator crabs that fit the bill?
Pompom crab - also good candidate, but i'm used to these in wild being not in direct open, more around cave/shady spots. are the hobby species OK 'exposed'?
Pitho crab - decorate as much as micro decorators?
Blue coral banded shrimp - how big do they get total footprint? I hear 'small' but do they still have the long antennae that are the usual issue with shrimps in nanos/picos?
Lima shrimp - do they need / prefer having a host?
Trapezius/Acro crabs (eventually)
Any suitable reef lobsters? it was suggested but all the ones i've seen/heard of are the >3" and seem similar to pistol shimps in preferring sandbed

No-nos: sexy shrimp (have them in another tank, love em but don't need 2 tanks of them), anemone specialists (pederson's, porcelain crabs, etc), harlequin shrimp

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I kept a coral banded shrimp in a 5 gallon for a couple of years once, it was a great showpiece invert, visitors loved it. I also had an emerald crab and a few hermits, with an assortment of snails, it was a good little tank.

 

[dansyr]

I kept a coral banded shrimp in a 5 gallon for a couple of years once, it was a great showpiece invert, visitors loved it. I also had an emerald crab and a few hermits, with an assortment of snails, it was a good little tank.

Thanks for the suggestion! Which kind, 'normal', yellow, blue? how big did it get over that time? I've seen small normal and yellow ones, like 1" body / 3" antenna span but also seen the adult size with ~5"+ span. Never seen a blue coral banded in person yet.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Thanks for the suggestion! Which kind, 'normal', yellow, blue? how big did it get over that time? I've seen small normal and yellow ones, like 1" body / 3" antenna span but also seen the adult size with ~5"+ span. Never seen a blue coral banded in person yet.

I had the normal one. I kept him in the 5 gallon for about 2.5 years then moved him into a 20 I had. It was pretty large, I would guess about 4" at his largest.

 

[dansyr]

I had the normal one. I kept him in the 5 gallon for about 2.5 years then moved him into a 20 I had. It was pretty large, I would guess about 4" at his largest.

Hmm ok I'll keep it in consideration but ideally looking for something smaller. Issue is this is cube and even 4" is 1/3 the maximum dimension already. Probably a better fit for a 5g standard or Evo footprint than something like this?

 

[dansyr]

Just wanted to bump this to see if any more suggestions.

While I'm bumping - anybody have (or seen first person) pompoms in barebottom? did some digging through the forums the other day and seems like mostly sanded/rubble tanks, and not really bare-bottom with a few relatively large rocks.

 

[fishywishy]

Just wanted to bump this to see if any more suggestions.

While I'm bumping - anybody have (or seen first person) pompoms in barebottom? did some digging through the forums the other day and seems like mostly sanded/rubble tanks, and not really bare-bottom with a few relatively large rocks.

these are some good options imo:

emerald crabs
Pederson Cleaner shrimp
Red or regular cleaner
Dwarf hermits
Blue CBS
Snails
Tuxedo urchin
Bumblebee shrimp
Peppermint shrimp (reef safe most of the time)

there’s not really any lobsters you can have in that tank. The only thing I can think of is a purple reef lobster but they will eat all other inverts and small fish.

 

[dansyr]

these are some good options imo:

emerald crabs
Pederson Cleaner shrimp
Red or regular cleaner
Dwarf hermits
Blue CBS
Snails
Tuxedo urchin
Bumblebee shrimp
Peppermint shrimp (reef safe most of the time)

there’s not really any lobsters you can have in that tank. The only thing I can think of is a purple reef lobster but they will eat all other inverts and small fish.

Awesome, thank you for more suggestions! I do like emeralds, should have put that on the list above. And great feedback on dwarf lobsters, that sounds like what I've always heard so will cross that off.

Have you had any of these in a similar setup (BB, 12x9" footprint + rocks) or really, in any pico? Especially blue CBS (how big in adult for you?). Or pederson, I know they prefer anemones and LPS, of which there will be none here - how happy/natural is their behavior without a host?

Urchins are great but this is acrylic so no urchins sadly (love em in my other tanks). Already have 2 hermits in there, they'e great.

Red /skunk cleaners, if that's what you're talking about, get way too big for a 5g imo - i have a pair in my 20g and they use every inch of it, and their antenna span is easily 5-6".

 

[fishywishy]

Awesome, thank you for more suggestions! I do like emeralds, should have put that on the list above. And great feedback on dwarf lobsters, that sounds like what I've always heard so will cross that off.

Have you had any of these in a similar setup (BB, 12x9" footprint + rocks) or really, in any pico? Especially blue CBS (how big in adult for you?). Or pederson, I know they prefer anemones and LPS, of which there will be none here - how happy/natural is their behavior without a host?

Urchins are great but this is acrylic so no urchins sadly (love em in my other tanks). Already have 2 hermits in there, they'e great.

Red /skunk cleaners, if that's what you're talking about, get way too big for a 5g imo - i have a pair in my 20g and they use every inch of it, and their antenna span is easily 5-6".

I think a would cleaner would be fine tbh, mine just stay upside down on a cave all day, but to each their own.

The smallest tank ive had was a 10 gal frag tank with rocks and inverts, i didnt have a blue CBS but i did have a pederson with no anemone and lps for a while, it was fine. They don't need them like other types. Biggest CBS ive seen was maybe close to 2 inches, so they would be fine in that size tank.

 

[dansyr]

I think a would cleaner would be fine tbh, mine just stay upside down on a cave all day, but to each their own.

The smallest tank ive had was a 10 gal frag tank with rocks and inverts, i didnt have a blue CBS but i did have a pederson with no anemone and lps for a while, it was fine. They don't need them like other types. Biggest CBS ive seen was maybe close to 2 inches, so they would be fine in that size tank.

OK that's awesome info on the pederson. I have next to no knowledge of Caribbean inverts so i truly appreciate the first-hand experience on that.

IDK, I don't have any regular CBS (had one a long time ago) but they get plenty big. For example this is my skunk cleaner shrimp (Lysmata), not sure if we're talking about the same thing. Sure, body is only about 2" and bioload is not an issue, but antenna tip-to-tip is about the length of my hand.

 

[fishywishy]

OK that's awesome info on the pederson. I have next to no knowledge of Caribbean inverts so i truly appreciate the first-hand experience on that.

IDK, I don't have any regular CBS (had one a long time ago) but they get plenty big. For example this is my skunk cleaner shrimp (Lysmata), not sure if we're talking about the same thing. Sure, body is only about 2" and bioload is not an issue, but antenna tip-to-tip is about the length of my hand.

I was talking about the blue CBS. I forgot to mention that.

 

[dansyr]

I think a would cleaner would be fine tbh, mine just stay upside down on a cave all day, but to each their own.

The smallest tank ive had was a 10 gal frag tank with rocks and inverts, i didnt have a blue CBS but i did have a pederson with no anemone and lps for a while, it was fine. They don't need them like other types. Biggest CBS ive seen was maybe close to 2 inches, so they would be fine in that size tank.

Also sorry I just want to be clear - I'm truly appreciative of your input fishywishy and others, I hope I'm not coming across as trying to be contrarian or one of those already-made-up-my-mind jerks.

I'm asking because I truly haven't made up my mind, but whatever it is I want it to be naturally suited to 5g cube + 2 rocks, or within range that I can adjust the setup to suit it ideally. I recognize this is a different question than the more common 'what can I put in a 5g cube'.

 

[dansyr]

I was talking about the blue CBS. I forgot to mention that.

Ohhhh you mean biggest blue CBS you've seen is ~2" wingspan? that's excellent

 

[DCJ]

Hi!

I'm sorry if this is kinda resurrecting a dead thread - I'm trying to find out if a blue coral banded shrimp would be too big for a 2 or 2.6 gal Pico and came across this thread - but I saw your question and wondered if you'd considered squat lobsters for your 5 gal?

They're not really lobsters, but they look very similar and they're very small too, could be a good unusual invert? I'm trying to source some here in the UK for when I get around to stocking, and I rarely see them mentioned so thought I'd throw them out to you :)

 

[dansyr]

Hi! Thanks for reviving, I would love if there are some more fun suggestions that get suggested. I'm also still curious if blue coral bandeds work in such a small footprint. All the other coral bandeds I've seen are much too big with their antennae, but don't know that I've actually seen a blue in person.

Squat lobsters are cool. Are there shallow tropical ones around in the trade? I've seen some of the deep water ones in the wild, but those . Not sure I would call those that I've seen reef safe, or really small enough for a 5g? I'm unfamiliar with shallow tropical ones so if you have links or names please let me know, i would love to learn more.

Unless you are meaning squat lobster relatives like porcelain crabs and such? Those are cool and could be great focus for a nem heavy, filter-feeder light picos. I think I have too many clams per liter in here for that unfortunately.

While updating here, I should mention I did end up adding a pom pom crab in here several months ago, and it's doing well. I really like the little guy, he's great and growing well, but I would recommend adding on in a tank set up like this. Hard bottom, bright light, high flow is not the biotope, I think something more like a lagoon reef or protected hollow on a crest would make it feel more comfortable.

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

coral banded shrimp and pom pom crab

 

[DCJ]

Hi! Thanks for reviving, I would love if there are some more fun suggestions that get suggested. I'm also still curious if blue coral bandeds work in such a small footprint. All the other coral bandeds I've seen are much too big with their antennae, but don't know that I've actually seen a blue in person.

Squat lobsters are cool. Are there shallow tropical ones around in the trade? I've seen some of the deep water ones in the wild, but those . Not sure I would call those that I've seen reef safe, or really small enough for a 5g? I'm unfamiliar with shallow tropical ones so if you have links or names please let me know, i would love to learn more.

Unless you are meaning squat lobster relatives like porcelain crabs and such? Those are cool and could be great focus for a nem heavy, filter-feeder light picos. I think I have too many clams per liter in here for that unfortunately.

While updating here, I should mention I did end up adding a pom pom crab in here several months ago, and it's doing well. I really like the little guy, he's great and growing well, but I would recommend adding on in a tank set up like this. Hard bottom, bright light, high flow is not the biotope, I think something more like a lagoon reef or protected hollow on a crest would make it feel more comfortable.

I'm going to bed, but I wanted to leave you with this: https://www.rockncritters.co.uk/critters/squat-lobster/rnc-00513

They sound different? More comment coming when it's not 1am!

 

[Crabs+Shrimps-69]

Hi!

I'm sorry if this is kinda resurrecting a dead thread - I'm trying to find out if a blue coral banded shrimp would be too big for a 2 or 2.6 gal Pico and came across this thread - but I saw your question and wondered if you'd considered squat lobsters for your 5 gal?

They're not really lobsters, but they look very similar and they're very small too, could be a good unusual invert? I'm trying to source some here in the UK for when I get around to stocking, and I rarely see them mentioned so thought I'd throw them out to you :)

Although many companies claim squat lobsters do well in our tanks, from what other reefers have shared they don't last very long.

In the oceans they have a symbiotic relationship with feather stars, but these are extremely hard to keep in captivity like most starfish and filter feeding animals.

 

[dansyr]

I'm going to bed, but I wanted to leave you with this: https://www.rockncritters.co.uk/critters/squat-lobster/rnc-00513

They sound different? More comment coming when it's not 1am!

Although many companies claim squat lobsters do well in our tanks, from what other reefers have shared they don't last very long.

In the oceans they have a symbiotic relationship with feather stars, but these are extremely hard to keep in captivity like most starfish and filter feeding animals.

Ooh yeah those do look really cool, and perfect lifestyle (sedentary, territorial) for a pico. I didn't know about those so thanks for sharing.

But yeah anything living with crinoids scares me care wise. It might want to be up in 3d? if you designe a tank like that, maybe with a bushy grube's or something weedy that could mimic (and let it get its presumably small suspended food) it might be happier. even if it survives on mysis, I'd be a little sad taking symbiont and putting it in a fully different environment. But great suggestion, love learning new inverts, thank you!

Now what I really want when acros grow in more is a trapezius crab...

 

[DCJ]

@Crabs+Shrimps-69

:O that. sucks. I first saw them on a YT channel by a fish store showing off one of their builds and I was like 'oh! a nano invert I haven't seen!'

Thank you for letting me know! I wish companies would be more upfront about the actual difficulties of the living things they sell

Would you also apply that to porcelain crabs? They're filter feeders too?


Thank you for your input!


@dansyr

They do! And you're welcome, although they may not be as suitable as the website and me made them seem - see above :(

I agree, I'd beat myself up if I bought a little guy, brought it home and then watched it die. I don't even know if research would have picked that up (I haven't done much invert research as of yet, but I'm getting closer to being able to stock stuff, so I should)

What I've been doing is checking out all the websites that'll ship critters to me and seeing what they have in stock and out of stock, just to find out if there's any rarely mentioned critter that might be available

I SAW THOSE! I don't think I'll get into SPS, but that looked awesome!


I'm also upgrading my Fluval Spec III to a Spec V - if I find out more about the blue coral banded in that tank I'll let you know - I have heard they can be dangerous, but some people say only to other shrimp, others say in general?

What else have you considered?