CUC recommendations.

[MizTanks]

Outside of hermit crabs and snails, anyone have any ideas?

[Chris]

I like my urchin, but they will move poorly attatched frags, and even some fairly well attatched ones..... I have one hermit crab, hes pretty cool but not for everyone. A good mix of snails is big tho, I have a couple turbos, about 15-20 astrea snails, a few of another type that I cant think of right now (I think cerith but not sure, Ill check later), and a nassarius snail.

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by chort55

I like my urchin, but they will move poorly attatched frags, and even some fairly well attatched ones..... I have one hermit crab, hes pretty cool but not for everyone. A good mix of snails is big tho, I have a couple turbos, about 15-20 astrea snails, a few of another type that I cant think of right now (I think cerith but not sure, Ill check later), and a nassarius snail.

Well put, i would add a serpent star or brittle star.

[demonclownfish]

i really wanna get some limpets and chitons. i also really enjoy having my blue royal urchin around, he helps with so much algae and have had him for at least a year and a half now.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Well put, i would add a serpent star or brittle star.

Thanks Bryan. I tend to leave out the stars because I know certain types have been linked to fish homicides. I don't think they are all bad, as they are good scavengers. I do have an orange linkia but I don't know how much it really cleans.... but it looks cool

[MizTanks]

I'm liking brittle star idea

[slapshot]

I love my orange serpent. He is always reach out of someplace.

[Sir Patrick]

Originally Posted by MizTanks

I'm liking brittle star idea

Stick with the serpents- the ones with smooth arms, and stay away from any green ones, just to be sure.

Couldnt pay me to toss a brittle in my tank- just in case. Ya never know....

[Tom@HaslettMI]

IMO buying most clean up crew animals = throwing money away. Don't get me wrong I've had trochus snails that lived for many years and did a wonderful job at eating algae. The problem is when they finally died their replacements only lasted a few months (as well as their replacements). I have had similar experiences with most other CUC members I've tried.

Now, my CUC is mainly hitchhiker species that reproduce (and subsequently maintain a balanced population with their food source). Currently it's made up of mostly stomatella snails, mini brittle stars, bristle worms, and astrina stars. The traditional CUC members I still have are a Scopas tang, 2 money cowries, and a "super tonga" nassarius snail. I certainly still need to clean my glass and perform other maintenance tasks, but at least I'm not continually spending only to end up with more empty CUC shells.

Tom

[MizTanks]

I hear you Tom. I was just looking for a lil something extra to help out during my extra frozen feedings. I wanna stay on top of any extra nutrients.