Red Flame Scallop and Porcelain Crab (with Kuda)

[chrisbenavides]

What do you think about adding a Red Flame Scallop and/or a Porcelain Crab to a Kuda tank?

I asked about adding my Urchin (in case he destroyed my reef) to my Kuda tank, and learned that its not the best idea. Luckily, as of now, the pincushion urchin is doing good in my reef tankn consuming algae.

So what about these Red Flame Scallops and Porcelain Crabs?

To be honest I don't know much about the Red Flame Scallop, so any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

[CodyH]

Scallops need a very aged tank with lots of supplemental feeding for filter feeders. If they die, the will degrade your water quality severely.
They are doable and adorable, but IMO, not the best choice. You might try searching wetwebmedia or the forum here with scallops.

I'd stick with the porcelain crabs. I love them. They are filter feeders, but I give mine a treat of mysis every other day. It will hold the turkey baster till it gets ahold of the mysis.

 

[chrisbenavides]

So you agree with keeping a Porcelain crab in tank with seahorses (even though they have big claws right?).

 

[JennyL]

Hi Chris,
I don't think either one is an appropriate tank mate with seahorses.

There have been many problems reported with crabs in a seahorse tank. Even ones we once thought were "safe".

If you decide to place either one of the animals you mentioned in with your horses, be prepared to move them immediately if problems arise.

 

[hydroid]

I think a porcelain crab would be a fairly mild risk. Personally, though, I don't trust anything with hands.

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7852353#post7852353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JennyL
Hi Chris,
I don't think either one is an appropriate tank mate with seahorses.

There have been many problems reported with crabs in a seahorse tank. Even ones we once thought were "safe".

If you decide to place either one of the animals you mentioned in with your horses, be prepared to move them immediately if problems arise.

Porcelain crabs are planktivores. FME, they wont even eat dead fish, so I doubt they'd bother a horse.

 

[CodyH]

I keep a porcelain crab with my 2 erectus.
Most porcelain crabs stay at an inch or 1.5 inches.

I've found that they don't really use the big claws that much since they are planktivores mostly.
It tends to spread its 'fans' to collect particles in the water. It is more than happy to accept mysis occasionally though. It will move around the tank to where it's happy, then it tends to camp out there for a while.

Its current camping location is around a micro-jet at the substrate that I use to ward off cyano.

Also, porcelains don't seem to be hunters. I think it would starve rather than hunt, the lazy thing. It just sits there, fanning around for food, at least until I drop a small piece of Hikari mysis to it's fans.

 

[Gluestick]

Just giving my two cents... My falme scallops were among the first things I added to my tank, they are each about 5 months old, and I love them. They are one of my favorite things in my tank. You have to direct them to find a hiding spot in your view, but they are so cool! I don't even target feed mine. Very easy critters to keep, in my experience, and I would highly doubt they'd hurt a seahorse.

 

[pledosophy]

Flame scallops can present a danger if the close on the seahorse. Will cause injury which can be followed by a bacterial infectoin.

A porcelain crab is mainly a filter feeder, not to worry to much.

I think you should take the money you would spend on them and finally pay me for the package I sent you in what April? Bad form. I've moved so let me know if you need the address.

 

[Fredfish]

Very very few people are successful with flame scalops. Usually they either quickly or slowly starve to death (5 months is not a long time). Personally I would pass on them.

Fred

 

[Gluestick]

Fredfish, Awww, that is really sad :-(
pledosophy, I never thought of them closing on a seahorse, that is a good point.

 

[pledosophy]

I had one close on a horse shoe crab tail and hold on for over 4 hours (I went to sleep). Next morning the crab was free, if it had been a horse, it would have been dead.

 

[Fredfish]

Yes, it is. There are a very few cases where people are successful beyond one year. I hope yours is one of them.

Fred