Butterfly/invertebrate comp.

[zachk]

I am considering adding 1-2 of the following to a 125 gallon tank that currently has some pincushion urchins, cleaner shrimp, and a couple of small pistol shrimp. Are any of these a threat to the inverts?

Auriga
Saddleback
Raccoon

Thanks!!

 

[Barracuda]

ZachK,

Generally, the "Invertebrate Threat" associated with Butterflies are related to sessile inverts.

Generally, there is minimal butterfly predation on hermit crabs, urchins, larger shrimps (pistols, cleaners, fire/blood, saron, peps, etc), hidden/ symbiotic shrimp (sexy, anenome, etc), and snails.

Butterflies favorite invert in our reef/ marine tanks are fan/ feather duster worms. They will also eat spaghetti worms, peanut, etc.

Remember that certain Butterflies also will nip/eat/harass certain LPS/ Gorgonians.

HTH

 

[zachk]

I looked through my copy of Scott Michael's Angelfish and Butterflies and was a little concerned that maybe urchins and shrimps could be in danger. I'm hoping that nobody has had an issue with this. The tank has many feather duster worms and one Ricordea.