Live rock/ beneficial bacteria

[jeff williams]

My live rock is cornered in vermetid snails or some for of tube snail and I have more bristle worms than I care to have in my rock as well. I’m thinking about pulling rock from my tank and fresh water dipping it to get rid or these critters then sniping off the snails at the base. My ? Is I’m not sure what affect this may cause to my beneficial bacteria, coralline algae and possibly an ammonia spike, any advise on doing this ?

 

[saltyhog]

It probably wouldn't have a huge impact on beneficial bacteria but it likely wouldn't achieve your goal. Vermited snails and bristle worms are very resilient critters.

Both of these have populations that rise and fall based on food. Is it possible you are over feeding? The best thing to get rid of vermited snails is to super glue them shut. I have had some luck with crushing the entire tube with hemostats. Bristle worms are detritus scavengers. There is no reason IMO to worry about them. Bottom line, fix the excess detritus food, fix the "problem"

 

[RobZilla04]

Melanurus Wrasse

 

[jeff williams]

Melanurus Wrasse

I have cleaner shrimp and hermit crabs I’m thinking this wrasse will eat those as well

 

[jeff williams]

It probably wouldn't have a huge impact on beneficial bacteria but it likely wouldn't achieve your goal. Vermited snails and bristle worms are very resilient critters.

Both of these have populations that rise and fall based on food. Is it possible you are over feeding? The best thing to get rid of vermited snails is to super glue them shut. I have had some luck with crushing the entire tube with hemostats. Bristle worms are detritus scavengers. There is no reason IMO to worry about them. Bottom line, fix the excess detritus food, fix the "problem"

More snails more hermits =less detritus ? I don’t think my feeding is excessive

 

[saltyhog]

I have cleaner shrimp and hermit crabs I’m thinking this wrasse will eat those as well

Another option would be H. chrysus. My melanurus never bothered cleaner shrimp or hermits but H. chrysus is even more known to ignore them. Mine was almost 6" and never bothered anything. I feed heavily and although I have lots of bristle worms in my sump, I rarely see one in the DT.

More snails more hermits =less detritus ? I don’t think my feeding is excessive

Maybe more manual removal? Vacuum the sand bed occasionally blow off rocks with a turkey baster. More hermits often means fewer snails!

 

[RobZilla04]

I have cleaner shrimp and hermit crabs I’m thinking this wrasse will eat those as well

I have both as well and the wrasse doesn't bother them.

 

[jeff williams]

I have both as well and the wrasse doesn't bother them.

Thanks for the info on the wrasse I’ve been getting mixed opinions on the malinarus but I guess each are individuals I am going to add one or two wrasses im thinking six line and yellow coris