I think I am an Invert Enthusiast...

[hypermikie]

What other inverts could co-exist with Pistol and my other inverts?

In my 24g Aquapod...

I have a Pistol (tiger possibly), Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Peppermint Shrimp, Sally Lightfoot, 4-5 Blue Legs, 3 Turbos, Assorted other snails.

Sand sifting star, I have not seen for a week. Last time I seen him he had a couple chunks missing and a piece of leg. Suspects: PISTOL

My question is what other crabs, shrimps, inverts could I add. I am kind of concerned with adding anything the pistol might find in his hole...

Thinking Mythrix, Porcelin, or other anenome crab to go with GBA that my clown does not use! Possibly Fire Shrimp, Aarow Crabs, and I am Open to ANY suggestions that will not eat others or be ate!

Fish stock: True Perc, Six-Line, Prawn Goby, Green Clown Goby... No problems currently.

 

[venwu225]

"Sand sifting star, I have not seen for a week. Last time I seen him he had a couple chunks missing and a piece of leg. Suspects: PISTOL"
The suspect is most likely starvation, with a tiny sand bed in a 24g tank, certainly your Astropecten polycanthus does not have enough prey items to sustain itself. A typical sign that a starfish is starving to death: dropping of arms.

"Like sand sifting fish, the Sand Sifting Sea Star will sift through the substrate looking to eat the benthic invertebrates that live there. One Sand Sifting Sea Star can void a 5 inch sandbed in an 80 gallon system of living sandbed matter in just a few weeks. It will then proceed to stay hidden in the sand, starve to death and decay. Be sure to add this species to a well established tank with a lot of benthic invertebrates in the sand. Most Invertebrates, ESPECIALLY Seastars require very long and slow drip acclimation process of at least 2 hours or more as they cannot adjust quickly to even small changes in pH, temperature, and alkalinity. Like all invertebrates, this species is intolerant of extreme nitrate levels (over 20) and cannot live in tanks that have had copper-based medications dispensed. Due to the sensitive nature of this animals stringent acclimation requirements and sensitivity to being properly acclimated, it is on the Restricted Species List."

http://www.marinedepotlive.com/sand-sifting-sea-star---archaster-typicus-inverts--stars.html

That being said, perhaps try some meaty foods as a last resort to entice the star to eat, maybe some marine polychaetes if you can get your hands on them...then again, land locked as you are makes the situation a bit diffcult

 

[keithntracy]

What about Serpants? I love them. They are my favorites in the tank. Here's a couple pics of them. Yes, I'm a proud mama.

 

[hypermikie]

Venwu:
Yeah the Sea Star was an Unfortunate impulse purchse. I am usually quite cautious and research well prior to purchase. I did not realize their large appetite and that they were not simply "scavengers". (as read in the other post)
I was looking for a star and afraid that a serpent and/or brittles would be too large and predatory for such a small tank. Especially in tight quarters with a pistol taking up a large residence under most rock work. Totally impulsive at the LFS!


keithntracy:
I love brittles but as mentioned above...

 

[nitratesucks]

How about a spider conch. (sea cow). I love mine he's always grazing alge. He likes to knock things over though.

 

[hypermikie]

Nitratesuck: I already have 3 Turbo "Dozer" Snails, definately do not need any more bulldozers.

I am really thinking I am about capped out on room for anything that is not a coral.
But, with that said, there is always room for 1 more

I am going to go with an anenome crab to host with my BTA

 

[Javeo]

Plus you can get a few non anemone porcelian crabs, sexy shrimp, yellow cucumber (if your prepared to feed it) emerald crab, anemone shrimp, emperor shrimp, blue coralbanded shrimp (tiny as compared to the normal cb shrimp)

 

[hypermikie]

I did add an anenome crab and it immediately took to my BTA!
Looking pretty good, I will have to get some pics up...

Javeo - Do you really think I have room for anything else at this point? I'm thinking if it is not a coral, I am probably out of room?

 

[hypermikie]

Some pics... BTA was not open during pics, almost looks like he is eating the crab.

 

[gussy]

There is always a chance that something could be eaten...especially for crustacean after a molt. A tuxedo urchin would be okay.

 

[Javeo]

You could still add a few sexy shrimp, they will hang around the anemone as well. Try 4-5, they are tiny but cool. Like I said, a filter feeding cucumber would be good, andas you have a anemone crab you could feed them both with filter feeder food (phyto, tiny zooplankton) in which case you could add feather worms. A boxer crab would also be a great, interesting addition I'll list my inverts for you to give you ideas.

Shrimp
Skunk Cleaner
Peppermint
Sexy
White Patched Anemone
Bumblebee
Blue Coralbanded
Emperor
yellow pistol
Randells pistol

Crabs
Boxer
Mithrax
Anemone
non-anemone porcelian
scarlet hermit
Purple clawed hermit
white hermit

Others
Feather Worms
Edible cucumber (sand sifter)
Pink knobbly cucumber (filter)
GBTA
banded serpent star
sea star

Im sure ive forgotten alot of things, but see if that helps and let meknow what you decide to get. I also love inverts