Keeping Tunicates

[fyrefysh]

I was wondering if anyone is able to keep Tunicates successfully in their aquarium. If so, how long have you been successful?

I just got some PREMIUM Florida live rock with a lot of different species on it (small ones) and would like to keep them alive if possible.

 

[MThompson]

They should live just fine. They are filter-feeders, so if you are concerned you could follow the same feeding regime as other filter-feeders. I don't feed anything to the assorted filter-feeding hitchhikers in my tank, and the tunicates have spread and rock clams are growing.

 

[fyrefysh]

Thanks for the info, MThompson. How's your water quality? What is your SG, phosphates, nitrates? How long have you had your tunicates living in your aquarium?

 

[cloak]

Hear's a good article.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rs/index.php

 

[MThompson]

SG - 1.026
Phos - 0
Nitrate - <5

Although, I have to admit I haven't checked water quality in about a month....been really busy with classes and research. Plus I had to do a bunch of water quality at school (22 tanks worth of Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, High and Low chloride, pH, Alk, Hardness - all titrations)....so I got a bit burned out and slacked off at home.

Anyway, I guess they've been alive since I got the rock, so about 8 months or so. I don't have any cool ones, just small yellowish-peachy-brown kinds. I had a few that were bright red-orange, but I don't think any of them survived.

 

[fyrefysh]

Thanks for the help fellas! That article is quite fascinating; will have to read more in-depth at home.