Here's an old pic of the barnacle blennies.
What a fun group! I'm very excited to get these again.
What a fun group! I'm very excited to get these again.
Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank
- Thread starter Michael Hoaster
- Start date
zachxlutz
New member
Yay! Happy to see you're back making some progress moving forward! The tough part is behind you now.
Thanks Zach!
Am I through the toughest part? That would be lovely!
Now it's back to the salt mine…
Am I through the toughest part? That would be lovely!
Now it's back to the salt mine…
That would be way cool Sam. All I have to do is pick one…ha ha!
I do expect to have a few groups of fairly odd fish. The barnacle blennies, with their stupid heads and goofy faces, the sailfin blennies, with their 'flagging competitions', and a few other oddballs I'm considering.
You know what would really fit the bill? A school of shrimp fish! From what I've read, they are more of a seahorse tank kind of fish. And I haven't found any caribbean versions. Maybe if I kept a super mellow community they could work. They are definitely 'look down' cool! I'll keep looking. I do like the oddballs!
So often, I'm learning, the bigger, personality fish don't mesh so well with my 'ecosystem, food chain, community' philosophy. I can't have one fish decimating an important part of the ecosystem, so it's tricky. I know I've shot down a ton of suggestions, but I'm still open! The Lookdown/Molly combo might have worked if the lookdowns didn't get sick and die, and the mollies were quicker on the baby-making.
I was just looking at the barnacle blennies online. It turns out they're not Caribbean! They are native to Central America, so I thought I was good, but I looked at a distribution map, and they're on the Pacific side only. I suppose they could migrate through the canal! I think some Caribbean maps include the west coast of Central America, but that's pushing it. So much for my 'Biotope Entry' in aquarium competitions! Is there a 'sort of biotope' category?
I don't think my mini strombus snails are caribbean either. I justified them by saying there MUST be a caribbean equivalent. Plus I really needed to have another reproducing snail in the community.
So, I'm not running up the biotope white flag. I'm just being a little loose on the interpretation…
I do expect to have a few groups of fairly odd fish. The barnacle blennies, with their stupid heads and goofy faces, the sailfin blennies, with their 'flagging competitions', and a few other oddballs I'm considering.
You know what would really fit the bill? A school of shrimp fish! From what I've read, they are more of a seahorse tank kind of fish. And I haven't found any caribbean versions. Maybe if I kept a super mellow community they could work. They are definitely 'look down' cool! I'll keep looking. I do like the oddballs!
So often, I'm learning, the bigger, personality fish don't mesh so well with my 'ecosystem, food chain, community' philosophy. I can't have one fish decimating an important part of the ecosystem, so it's tricky. I know I've shot down a ton of suggestions, but I'm still open! The Lookdown/Molly combo might have worked if the lookdowns didn't get sick and die, and the mollies were quicker on the baby-making.
I was just looking at the barnacle blennies online. It turns out they're not Caribbean! They are native to Central America, so I thought I was good, but I looked at a distribution map, and they're on the Pacific side only. I suppose they could migrate through the canal! I think some Caribbean maps include the west coast of Central America, but that's pushing it. So much for my 'Biotope Entry' in aquarium competitions! Is there a 'sort of biotope' category?
I don't think my mini strombus snails are caribbean either. I justified them by saying there MUST be a caribbean equivalent. Plus I really needed to have another reproducing snail in the community.
So, I'm not running up the biotope white flag. I'm just being a little loose on the interpretation…
Whoa! Those are pretty. Imagine a harem of those!
Chasmodes
Well-known member
How about a blue dartfish or a Yellowface Pike Blenny? They aren't commonly seen but are both Caribbean and peaceful.
I also thought maybe a swissguard or black cap basslet, but maybe won't get along with the grammas. Plus, swissguards have large mouths and might eat blennies. Both are deep water species too, not really in lagoons.
A Caribbean longnose butterfly would be cool, but not sure if your inverts would be safe.
Skilletfish (Clingfish) are cool, but adults have large mouths too, so that might not work.
A school of blue chromis?
Just tossing out ideas...
BTW, I've had that blenny pic of yours as my work PC wallpaper up until a couple weeks ago and will probably put it up again soon. Right now, it's a pic of sycamore roots (to inspire my other project).
I also thought maybe a swissguard or black cap basslet, but maybe won't get along with the grammas. Plus, swissguards have large mouths and might eat blennies. Both are deep water species too, not really in lagoons.
A Caribbean longnose butterfly would be cool, but not sure if your inverts would be safe.
Skilletfish (Clingfish) are cool, but adults have large mouths too, so that might not work.
A school of blue chromis?
Just tossing out ideas...
BTW, I've had that blenny pic of yours as my work PC wallpaper up until a couple weeks ago and will probably put it up again soon. Right now, it's a pic of sycamore roots (to inspire my other project).
Chasmodes
Well-known member
As expensive as they are beautiful! Wow, what a fish though!!!!
Yeah, I'm liking those pike blennies. Kind of like a pipe fish, but can hang in a regular community tank. I'm also considering the swiss guard basslet. I'm thinking of doing the chalk basses too. If I introduce all basslets together, it could work. There's just not a lot of info on the swiss guards, so I'm not sure. I do plan to get royal grammas again. I think they'll work ok with the chalks, as their habitats are different.
My condylactis is shrinking in QT. If it doesn't recover, butterfly fish will be an option.
I think I will get some blue chromises. I've debated them for long enough! Time to try 'em.
I'm still considering a three fish cherub angel harem. Given the difficulty removing fish from my tank, I'm very cautious. If they turned into the horror story some folks have experienced, I'd be in a real mess!
My condylactis is shrinking in QT. If it doesn't recover, butterfly fish will be an option.
I think I will get some blue chromises. I've debated them for long enough! Time to try 'em.
I'm still considering a three fish cherub angel harem. Given the difficulty removing fish from my tank, I'm very cautious. If they turned into the horror story some folks have experienced, I'd be in a real mess!
Maybe with Cuba relations improving it maybe a possibility soon. Or at least one Dejong with the rest royals.
I think I saw that they were captive-breeding them!
rucnnefish
New member
Michael,
I am a bit confused about your stocking plans as it relates to " rebuilding from the bottom up". Did your pods and sand dwelling worms and other critters make it through hypo? Are snails, crabs, or shrimp on the " bottom up" list? Just curious cause you are talking about fish already, and maybe I missed it or misread something.
Your tank, your methods, and your writing skills are all top notch. Keep it up, I know you have a lot of silent admirers besides myself.
I am a bit confused about your stocking plans as it relates to " rebuilding from the bottom up". Did your pods and sand dwelling worms and other critters make it through hypo? Are snails, crabs, or shrimp on the " bottom up" list? Just curious cause you are talking about fish already, and maybe I missed it or misread something.
Your tank, your methods, and your writing skills are all top notch. Keep it up, I know you have a lot of silent admirers besides myself.
Thank you rucnefish! Very kind words. Now you've inspired me!
Yes, I am rebuilding from the bottom up for sure. I've touched on the subject in recent posts. I'm watching and waiting to see what's gonna make it. I just figured people wanted to talk about fish. They're a bit sexier than worms 'n stuff.
But I love the detrivores! They make the magic happen, recycling fish food into plant food, and vice versa.
I don't think a lot of people believe that nature can do so much for us. They believe that man's technology is superior. I believe that we can let nature have its way and THAT is worthy of display. And if we can see that we really do have complete, little ecosystems, right in our glass boxes, we can learn what players are appropriate to help out. If we're smart, we can help nature build a recycling ecosystem loop that fits its own needs.
So, what am I doing to rebuild? First, I have to see what has survived. So far I've got snails and pods. What I haven't seen yet is spaghetti worms and mini brittle stars, so they're probably the first I'll need to replace. However, some may have survived. I need to wait until I have full salinity to know more. I expect to be adding live sand and pods at some point. I'm also considering adding ten more pounds of farmed live rock. I think I'm good with snails. No plans for any crabs, with the possible exception of a porcelain crab or two.
Another piece of the puzzle is the plants. Again, I have to see what survived. Soon I'll be able to do more to help them out and move everything back towards normal. This will be a different normal without the caulerpa, which was the dominant plant before. I'm sure this will take some adjustment.
To summarize, I'm raising salinity to 25ppt, I'm observing my detrivore community to see what it needs, and I'm doing the same with the plants. Once I understand better what is needed, I can get to it!
From September 27, 2016.
Yes, I am rebuilding from the bottom up for sure. I've touched on the subject in recent posts. I'm watching and waiting to see what's gonna make it. I just figured people wanted to talk about fish. They're a bit sexier than worms 'n stuff.
But I love the detrivores! They make the magic happen, recycling fish food into plant food, and vice versa.
I don't think a lot of people believe that nature can do so much for us. They believe that man's technology is superior. I believe that we can let nature have its way and THAT is worthy of display. And if we can see that we really do have complete, little ecosystems, right in our glass boxes, we can learn what players are appropriate to help out. If we're smart, we can help nature build a recycling ecosystem loop that fits its own needs.
So, what am I doing to rebuild? First, I have to see what has survived. So far I've got snails and pods. What I haven't seen yet is spaghetti worms and mini brittle stars, so they're probably the first I'll need to replace. However, some may have survived. I need to wait until I have full salinity to know more. I expect to be adding live sand and pods at some point. I'm also considering adding ten more pounds of farmed live rock. I think I'm good with snails. No plans for any crabs, with the possible exception of a porcelain crab or two.
Another piece of the puzzle is the plants. Again, I have to see what survived. Soon I'll be able to do more to help them out and move everything back towards normal. This will be a different normal without the caulerpa, which was the dominant plant before. I'm sure this will take some adjustment.
To summarize, I'm raising salinity to 25ppt, I'm observing my detrivore community to see what it needs, and I'm doing the same with the plants. Once I understand better what is needed, I can get to it!
From September 27, 2016.
My barnacle blennies came today. I got them acclimated and into QT.
I got the smalls since they were on sale, but man, these guys are tiny! Little more than an inch long. I offered food about four hours after I introduced them. I think they all ate some, so I think they're all good. Just having these little guys again makes my heart happy. I'll keep them out of the display while I revive the bottom of the ecosystem.
Jeez, getting salinity back up is a pita. I'm taking it slow, so I don't stress anyone, but I'm getting impatient! Shouldn't be more than a day or two now. I'm jonesin' to straighten up and see what's hiding under the big pile of chaeto and ulva.
I also drip acclimated the condylactis anemone back to the display. It has shrunken dramatically. I had hoped it would have eaten lots of molly fry, but I guess it didn't. The lighting in the QT is pretty basic too, so not much help from the symbiotic algae within. It looks alive, but weakened. If I can get it to attach somewhere I'll feed it something.
I've been scouring the display with a magnifying glass. I see no aiptasia or caulerpa. None. Zippity do da day. Yay.
Peak seagrass growth, January 15, 2017.
I got the smalls since they were on sale, but man, these guys are tiny! Little more than an inch long. I offered food about four hours after I introduced them. I think they all ate some, so I think they're all good. Just having these little guys again makes my heart happy. I'll keep them out of the display while I revive the bottom of the ecosystem.
Jeez, getting salinity back up is a pita. I'm taking it slow, so I don't stress anyone, but I'm getting impatient! Shouldn't be more than a day or two now. I'm jonesin' to straighten up and see what's hiding under the big pile of chaeto and ulva.
I also drip acclimated the condylactis anemone back to the display. It has shrunken dramatically. I had hoped it would have eaten lots of molly fry, but I guess it didn't. The lighting in the QT is pretty basic too, so not much help from the symbiotic algae within. It looks alive, but weakened. If I can get it to attach somewhere I'll feed it something.
I've been scouring the display with a magnifying glass. I see no aiptasia or caulerpa. None. Zippity do da day. Yay.
Peak seagrass growth, January 15, 2017.
Chasmodes
Well-known member
How 'bout those sexy shrimp? :bounce1: (kidding)
Oh those blennies sound so cool! Now if things work out for them, you'll have more of their expected life span to enjoy!
Glad the aiptasia and caulerpa aren't showing up. Crossing my fingers for ya that it stays that way.
Good point Chasmodes! I should get more time with them. I keep checking on the aiptasias and caulerpa - still none!
Well today I figured out a way to straighten a little, without losing plant mass. I gathered up the ulva litter and put it into the overflow/refugium, right under the light. Then I gathered up all the chaeto I could, balled it up and wrapped it in rubber bands. I placed it on the DSB, under the light. Turns out, what was under them was pretty much nothing. I guess everything got shaded out by the chaeto. This works for me, as I said I'd like to see some more of the rock work.
So far, I'm seeing green and red 'moss' algae, and red and brown grasilarias. I don't think any of the blue hypnea made it but I still have some in QT. There are fragments of macros all over. I should be back to normal salinity tomorrow. Once that's done, I can start rebuilding. I ordered some Florida Pets live sand and some pods too. I need more diversity in the sand, so this should help.
I should be able to ramp up dosing soon as well.
It's coming along. Still pretty dreary, but we're making progress. Springtime for my little ecosystem is at hand!
Well today I figured out a way to straighten a little, without losing plant mass. I gathered up the ulva litter and put it into the overflow/refugium, right under the light. Then I gathered up all the chaeto I could, balled it up and wrapped it in rubber bands. I placed it on the DSB, under the light. Turns out, what was under them was pretty much nothing. I guess everything got shaded out by the chaeto. This works for me, as I said I'd like to see some more of the rock work.
So far, I'm seeing green and red 'moss' algae, and red and brown grasilarias. I don't think any of the blue hypnea made it but I still have some in QT. There are fragments of macros all over. I should be back to normal salinity tomorrow. Once that's done, I can start rebuilding. I ordered some Florida Pets live sand and some pods too. I need more diversity in the sand, so this should help.
I should be able to ramp up dosing soon as well.
It's coming along. Still pretty dreary, but we're making progress. Springtime for my little ecosystem is at hand!
Even more excited to see the various blennies.
Thanks! Me too wilder.
I just ordered a few plants…
I just ordered a few plants…
