There are many different types of Saltwater Shrimp available for the salt water reef aquarium. One of the most common Cleaner Shrimp in the saltwater aquarium trade are the Banded Coral Shrimp also known as a Boxer Shrimp. These Shrimp are typically obtained for Ornamental, worm control and cleaner properties, Banded Coral shrimp are very good scavengers that make a good addition to any reef tank if you don’t mind a semi-aggressive shrimp.
Banded Coral Shrimp are native to the Caribbean and their scientific name is Stenopus hispidus. They thrive in an environment with temperatures in the 72-80F range and a salinity factor of the average reef aquarium from 1.023-1.025. They can get as big as 3 inches with their antennae growing up to 6inches and are Carnivores. They scavenge the reefs live rock for food matter especially meaty foods such as decaying fish. Banded Coral Shrimp are mainly nocturnal and will do most of their scavenging at night however they can be active during the day especially if food is offered to them or your tank. The Banded Coral Shrimp are notorious worm killers, I initially purchased my shrimp to control my huge population of bristle worms. This shrimp will however kill other worms including feather dusters ( I have lost 4 feather dusters in the last 4 yours to this shrimp).
A Banded Coral Shrimp sits on a Montipora Coral
I have witnessed my Banded Coral Shrimp can show aggressive behavior to smaller tank mates (gobies, blennies) when not properly fed or if the tank is so clean that they cannot scavenge anything. They often wave their Antennae to sense when food is in the water. If not enough food can be scavenged in your reef aquarium then it is suggested to supplement your banded Coral Shrimp with meaty foods ,bits of silversides, krill or mysis shrimp are among favorites of my Shrimp.
As with all salt water invertebrates; the use of copper medication in your reef tank is strictly forbidden, please keep tabs on all pH changes and avoid at all costs handling your boxer shrimp, those huge claws can leave a rather nasty pinch. A good amount of live rock is a must for this species of shrimp as they use it for shelter, food and safety. Drip Acclimation is required when first purchased.
The Video above is one of my Banded Coral Shrimp just hanging out on the rock work in my reef aquarium.
There are many different types of starfish for the salt water reef aquarium. One of the most common starfish in the saltwater aquarium trade are the Serpent Starfish . These Starfish are typically obtained for removing detritus and other aquarium wastes such as dead snails or fish, Serpent starfish are outstanding scavengers that make a great addition to any reef tank
Serpent Starfish are native to the Caribbean and their scientific name is Ophioderma. They thrive in an environment with temperatures in the 75-78F range and a salinity factor of the average reef aquarium from 1.023-1.026. They can get as big as 12 inches and are omnivorous scavengers. They scavenge the reefs live rock for waste as well as meaty foods such as decaying fish. Serpent starfish are mainly nocturnal and will do most of their scavenging at night however they can be active during the day especially if food is offered to them or your tank.
I have witnessed serpent stars can show aggressive behavior to smaller tank mates (gobies, blennies) when not properly fed or if the tank is so clean that they cannot scavenge anything. They often wave their tentacles around when food is in the water. If not enough food can be scavenged in your reef aquarium then it is suggested to supplement your serpent starfish with meaty foods ,silversides, krill or mysis shrimp are among favorites of my serpent starfish.
As with all salt water invertebrates; the use of copper medication in your reef tank is strictly forbidden, please keep tabs on all pH changes and avoid at all costs lifting starfish or any echinoderm into open air as it can get caught in their central disc and will eventually kill your starfish. Large amounts of rock work are a must for this species of starfish as they use it for shelter, food and safety. Drip Acclimation is required when first purchased.
The Video above is one of my serpent starfish reaching for a chunky piece of fish that I was feeding him, this particular starfish is approximately 10 inches long.
Out of all the difficult choices a reef aquarist has to endure when setting up a Reef Aquarium is deciding on what their aquarium will look like. Reef aquarium aquascaping is a pleasure to some and a pain to others, for me its a little bit of both. I have changed the look of my aquarium several (dozen?) times over the last five years and endured the pleasure and pain of the aquascaping experience.
If I had to tell a new reef aquarium hobbyist how to plan and change there reef aquascaping I probably couldn’t, after all beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I could, however, give some pointers on what should be done to provide a safe living environment for the new owners livestock.
First, Consider your coral and fish’s water flow needs, so that you can get a better understanding on how your live rock placement will effect your reef tank’s water movement. Live rock comes in all different shapes and sizes and if you are fortunate enough to live near a good fish store then you can usually hand pick the pieces that you want. But before you do all the live rock picking, you should come up with a plan for your rock placement. Live Rock should not be obtrusive in that it will block water movement but should be placed so that it will assist it, creating canyons, slopes, valleys and pillars will help assist this. To assist holding your live rock in place it is recommended that you superglue, putty (aquarium safe) or drill in PVC or plastic dowels into your rock work. While this is recommended by many reefers it is somewhat permanent and not necessary in most cases.
Keep in mind that certain corals have specific requirements that have to be met for the welfare of the coral, this usually include height and substrate placement. Also if you are going to have corals with sweeping tentacles then its important that they can not reach other corals. Always research your corals and make sure that they will fit your reef environment.
Here are a few examples of reef aquarium aquascaping.
Notice how on the above picture the rock work is not entirely laying on the sand.
The above picture I like to refer to as the Valley, this is an actual hobbyists reef aquarium and not an imaged picture.
