crinoid squat lobsters

[danfrith]

I was wondering, do you think the squat lobsters in the divers den will be able to live long term with out a feather star?

 

[dfs/la2]

danfrith,

The Crinoid squat lobster Allogalathea elegans does very well long term without a feather star host. They will find an area under ledges of the live rock, soft corals, and even anemones in the home aquarium for protection. These crustaceans use the feather star in the wild in order to move through the water in search of food. In captivity they will feed on a variety of meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and other particles of food in the water column.

Joyce F.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[danfrith]

Are they fairly hardy? I was thinking about one for my 30 gal. pipefish cube.

 

[dfs/la2]

danfrith,

The Crinoid squat lobster Allogalathea elegans are hardy species which are nocturnal and spend daytime out of sight.

Pat S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith