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View Full Version : Should I get some backup food for my cleanup crew?

miston
11/14/2006, 11:35 AM
I'm about to order the following clean-up crew for my 12 gallon NanoCube DX:

1 Fighting Conch - Aquacultured
10 Scarlet Hermit Crab
1 Cleaner Shrimp
10 Nassarius Snails
10 Astrea Snails

My backwall is covered in algae and slime, but everything else is pretty clean. If it looks like I don't have enough food I will probably give away a few of the critters to my friend who just bought his live rock.

Question is:

1) Is this too many?
2) Should I purchase some some back-up food in case everything gets too clean? I don't want anybody to starve
tanker
11/14/2006, 12:18 PM
That is way too much for a 12gal. I have a little more than that in my 120!!

Yes, you will need to feed them.
miston
11/14/2006, 01:24 PM
The consensus has been from this and other boards that this should be fine, I was just getting a second opinion

I have already ordered them, and if need be I can easily find them a home with my friend.

So what should I feed them? To make it easy please specify a brand and
tedmc2
11/14/2006, 02:21 PM
To answer your questions:

1) Is this too many?

I agree with tanker. That seems like a lot for a 12 gal but you can always pass a couple along to a friend.

2) Should I purchase some some back-up food in case everything gets too clean? I don't want anybody to starve

The crabs and Nassarius snails are basically scavengers so they will eat whatever food they can get so they can eat flake, mysis, etc. That goes for the shrimp as well. I'd suggest putting in Nori or other prepared seaweed/algae for the Astrea.
miston
11/14/2006, 03:18 PM
I have some sushi Nori....would that work?
tedmc2
11/14/2006, 03:53 PM
That should work fine.
demonsp
11/14/2006, 03:55 PM
Any live rock ?
miston
11/14/2006, 05:01 PM
yes, I have at least about 12 pounds of live rock plus about a 1.5 to 2 inch live sand bed
tanker
11/14/2006, 10:57 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8545281#post8545281 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by miston
I have some sushi Nori....would that work?

I would add a little Brine shrimp, raw shrimp, or mysis every once in a while too. They all (except the Astrea Snails) would love it.
miston
11/15/2006, 12:12 AM
The food choices are a bit overwhelming to the novice!

would this work for brine shrimp?
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=SB3111


I can't find any mysis at marine depot, I'm sure its there. Any help would be appreciated!

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_fish_food__index.asp?CartId=