Clove polyps: the vegan killers

[kharmaguru]

After being model citizens, my 2 red tuxedo urchins decided to tag-team my firework cloves today. I was thrilled they were going to grow up my overflow and the one only ate half that strip so maybe they still will assuming they decide to be vegan again. No shortage of algae elsewhere so not sure what's up with that. Oh well 99% reef safe I guess. I'm sure there will be some new hats.

 

[Anemone]

Probably not actually eating them, just wearing them (although the result is the same).

Kevin

 

[Reefing102]

I just got a blue tuxedo tonight. Here’s hoping mines only vegan lol

 

[kharmaguru]

I just got a blue tuxedo tonight. Here’s hoping mines only vegan lol

They are fun little creatures, especially the hat wearing thing. They say it's for camouflage but some studies show it's to provide ballast against wave surge. I had a dream that it was so they could tell each other apart, lol.

Guest Post: Urchins Wearing Hats!

 

[Reefing102]

Yea I’ve seen the 3D hats at my LFS. I prefer the natural looking hat

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Wait, people actually want clove polyps now?

 

[josepha]

While others say they are invasive, For some reason I can’t keep them, is is low nitrates needed? Mine are about 25ppm. Lower/ higher light? Any other advice?

 

[kharmaguru]

While others say they are invasive, For some reason I can’t keep them, is is low nitrates needed? Mine are about 25ppm. Lower/ higher light? Any other advice?

Blue cloves are invasive. Rainbow cloves like mine above like low flow and low light (shadow areas low in the tank are ideal). 25ppm nitrate would be fine for them.