Cleaning crew for marine planted

[morphriz]

Hi all,
my research continues

I'm looking for info on what cleaners, detrivores and algaeeaters that are suitable for a my planted w/ mini-reef. Are there any that will go after the seagrass itself? All info appreciated!
cheers
Mattias

 

[dalbrecht]

my urchin (echinometra viridis) is ignoring my seagrass. As are my blue hermits.

I have a gut feeling that this might change in the future if I can't find a way to get more coraline to the urchin.

 

[graveyardworm]

I had a queen conch munch on shoal grass ( halodule ), and seagrass ( thallasia ). My ceriths, astrea, and strombus ( euplica versicolor ) have been model citizens and even clean the seagrass. Also I have a couple hermits in my fuge which havent caused any problems with the macros in there.

Moderation is probably key, dont overstock with grazers otherwise they may eventually go after things which are generally less desireable.

 

[The_Nexis_One]

I have a fighting conch and two queen conchs, blue leg & Hawaiian hermits, fiddler crabs, common shore shrimp, Illyanassa obesoleta snails - none of which have eaten any of my macro's, shoal or Turtle grass...

John.

 

[morphriz]

Thanks for your replies!

How are the fighting conchen on the roots? Dont they dig around a whole lot?
cheers
Mattias

 

[The_Nexis_One]

I've not had a problem - although you are correct in that I've observed the fighting conch digging in (usualy I see him after the fact) to the DSB. He usually only covers the lower half of his shell and doesn't do this in the shoal grass stand. There was a section of root/runner that was never buried and it's been further uprooted by their movements. However, plant health has not been negatively effected as the stand of shoal grass has increased plant count exponentially. I started with ~25 plants on 3 runners 3/26/06 and now, honestly, I can't count them all... my best guess after loosing count over and over is ~200 plants (and I'm being conservative).

The larger problem with the conchs (all) is that they tend to push their way through the seagrass stand. If shoal grass is your intended species, I would go with a smaller/ more nimble critter. I've kept mine because they are going into my upcoming seagrass tank which will be Thalassia dominant... they do great with thalassia. It's not that they are damaging the shoal grass, just that it doesn't look as "grassy" when it's all pushed flat. It may be helping the plant spread, but I can't tell for sure as it's spreading rapidly on all sides of the stand.

Hermits and snails are still your best bet. Conchs get large quick if food is plentiful.

Best of luck,
John.