I agree that they can release the toxin but are far less likely to then some of the other species. We lost 2 in a 180 to power heads. But we knew they were doing the trick for us. I removed the PH's and added a SCWD on a little giant pump with a prefilter. After that they made quick work of the HA.
Thanks for the info on the mini version. Now I know and can better educate the customer.
I know a few people keeping the Dolabella Auricularia with no one reporting massive fish losses. Even in “small” tanks. Either way I think it’s a great alternative to scrubbing rocks, tons of cleaners, and chemical reactors. Bottom line is even if all of the above are employed it’s still critical to figure out the root source of the HA. Poor make up water, a bad RO/DI system, to many fish, to much food, or an old DSB. These are common problems that are easily fixed. The hares helped us clean up the situation. But if we didn’t fix our RO problem it would have been a waste of money.
After we fixed the RO the tank saw a dramatic turn for the better. The hares saved us from scrubbing, plucking, even taking down parts of the reef. Once the problem was gone we sold off the hares. I know almost every hobbyist has a reef friend that can take a hare here and there. So it became a situation of helping another reefer. I recently spoke to the guy that bought our hares and he fixed his system and sold them again. The person he sold them to sold them again.
I will continue to speak the praises of hares if you are willing to find a home for them after you fix your problem.
Oh and did I mention how cool they are to watch eat the bane of you system. We had a real satisfaction of finally wining the war.
S