Scavengers In The Seagrass Aquarium...Your Experiences?

[algaeguy]

Hi Everyone:

Now that I am FINALLY launching my dedicated seagrass system, I'm thinking about some of the more practical maintenance aspects. One of the things that comes to mind is the use of scavengers and herbivores in the system. I'm curious what types of snails and/or fishes you've employed in your seagrass sytems for the purpose of controlling nuisance microalgae.

I've studied the possiblity of keeping a Tang in the system, but am, of course, concerned about their rather indiscriminate eating habits, and I've confined my Tang choices to the Ctenochatus family. Even then, I'm wondering if their rasping behaviour is potentially more damaging to seagrasses than an outright nip by say, a Zebrasoma species...What is your experience with Tangs in a seagrass system? I'm planning on keeping mostly Halodule, maybe some Stargrass and Thalassia, and an assortment of my favorite macroalgae, such as Halimeda, etc.

In regards to snails, I'm leaning towards the traditional Turbo species, and perhaps some Trochus. Any thoughts here?

I'm curious what your thoughts are about Nassarius species as well. Since they do tend to burrow, I wonder to what extent their activities might damage runners and roots, or if this behaviour might release a lot of the "mud" in the lower levels of the substrate, causing a mess...Again- your thoughts would be valued!

One of the things that I am dead set on before stocking my system with fishes (mainly Pipefishes, Dragonets, and a few Cardinalfish and Blennies) is to "seed" the aquarium with natural food sources, such as Mysids and Amphipods. I'm curious, however about the possible damage that some of the 'pods could cause to seagrasses. Is there a particular species to avoid? Since there are good sources for specific species of Amphipods and Mysids, like Reed Mariculture or Florida Pets, etc., I'm thinking that it may be possible to select only seagrass-friendly ones...Again- your feedback is most welcome!

Thanks again!

Scott

 

[piercho]

Stargrass is fairly tender and vulnerable to more grazers than the other grasses. The other grasses are pretty tough and less easily grazed. I have not had trouble with bugs or snails eating grass, including Stargrass. Common herbivore urchins, including Tuxedo urchins, do eat grass and some of the sand-associated calcerous green alga as well. I think Zebrasoma tangs like the yellow tang would be a fairly safe bet, except perhaps for Stargrass. Combtooth tangs like the Kole tangs are good for a seagrass tank, and help to keep the blades clean. Nassarius snails should not be a problem, and the rhizomes of the grass are far below where a nassarius would bury itself. Some Chiltons may be a problem, but these are fairly rare.

A couple of years back, I had good results ordering sandbed plants from Florida Pets. The plants arrived with a lot of bugs scampering around on them. Samala's website has plants for sale now, including grass. Billsreef use to sell grass.

 

[algaeguy]

Thanks much for the input, Howard!

Interesting thoughts abotu the Zebrasoma Tangs...It would be nice to see my Yellow in there, but I'm thinking that a Kole might be a better choice.

Scott

 

[graveyardworm]

I have found that in an unfed seagrass tank that amphipods will munch on H. Ovalis, and Halodule. I've been using Euplica Versicolor ( IPSF strombus grazers ) snails. They remain small (under 1/2 inch) and help keep epiphytic algae off the seagrass, they also reproduce well in aquaria, and enjoy laying their eggs on my Thallasia.