CUC compatabilities...planning ahead

[rgslady]

I have ordered my CUC consisting of 10 turbo snails, 15 dwarf hermits, 5 scarlet reef hermits and one court jester goby. This is a pack designed for a 30 gal tank, and although mine is twice that, it didn't make sense to me to go any larger at this point in time. There is sufficient algae for them, with additional foods when they have done their jobs.

My question is, when I start to plan for corals and such, will these CUCs be a problem for the new additions? I'd like to get a single anemone and a couple of clowns, and some starter corals, which of course will be small. Will my future new additions survive the snails and hermits? Not worried about the fish, just the anemone and corals...

Thanks for any advice..

:snshne:

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

Should not be any problems... other than the hermits will eat your snails.

on a sidenote - anemones often don't do well in a tank unless is mature - 6 months old or older...

 

[Bobi1956]

What type of substrate is in your tank?

 

[rgslady]

60 lbs ocean direct caribbean live sand, original grade. My max didn't come with any as it was unavailable at the time

 

[Bobi1956]

In a month or two I would add some Nassarius Vibex snails to help keep your substrate clean. They live mostly down in the sand. Here is a link describing them

ReefCleaners.org | Clean Up Crews and Macro Algae - Tank Cleaners

 

[Reefmack]

Sounds like a good CUC. As Glenn said the hermits might go after the snails, but hopefully the turbos will be too big for them. It's usually bottom dwelling snails that the hermits go after, and the turbos will probably be mostly on the rock and glass. Glenn has a Court Jester Goby (aka Rainford's Goby) and it's a very nice fish choice - good algae eaters too!

 

[BigAl07]

Keep in mind that many goby will become a "food source" for an anemone. You'd think they would know better than to "perch" on an anemone but for some reason (forgetfulness etc) all to often they are a GONER.


Very good call to go "Light" on the CUC. As your bio-load increases you can easily add to it

 

[Bobi1956]

<has no hermits

 

[BigAl07]

<has no hermits

Yet

:LOL:

I always incorporate some degree of hermits (micro blue legs ) into my CUC. I find in a healthy and well fed system they tend to live a long time in some amount of co-habitation with snails.

 

[Bobi1956]

Aren't the scarlet reef hermits less prone to eat snails?

 

[Reefmack]

I'm not sure, but I don't think the Court jester (Rainford's) gobies are the type that perch, so it may be safe from anemones. Glenn would know as he recently got one.

 

[rgslady]

Thanks for all the info...the crew is in and doing well. Never see the goby...he just hides a lot. The turbos are incredible, and the hermits, as tiny as they are, can climb mountains!! Even got an abalone...he's just cool to watch!

 

[Reefmack]

Pictures needed!

 

[redsea reefer]

I've had Rainfords Goby for a while now and I don't consider it a part of the CUC because they are not and they do not perch at all.

 

[Reefmack]

Hi Eddie - thanks for confirming that they are a perching goby. I didn't even know you had one.

 

[redsea reefer]

Hi Eddie - thanks for confirming that they are a perching goby. I didn't even know you had one.

Hi Terry and you're welcome!

Yup, Had him for a few months now I believe, posted pics of him in my thread. Here he/she is...

 

[Reefmack]

My memory is failing me LOL! Beautiful fish!

 

[redsea reefer]

Haha, it hard to remember what everyone has now with so many threads. Thanks!

 

[Reefmack]

Haha, it hard to remember what everyone has now with so many threads. Thanks!

You're welcome. And it is getting difficult to remember who has what in their tanks!

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

+1 - I've had Rainfords Goby for a while now and I don't consider it a part of the CUC because they are not and they do not perch at all.