Here We Go Again!

[Craig Manoukian]

Show offff!!!!!!!!! Well just jealous maybe.

[Melanie]

He he he Craig. I just love you!

Anyone hear of a CBS (coral banded shrimp) acting as a cleaner?

I have had a few days off work and have used that time to really observe my tank since I normally only get a few minutes a day. I've been sitting for hours just watching.

My new Kole Tang went over to the skunk cleaner shrimp who looked interested but hesitant. I guess he was too slow, so the Kole headed over to the CBS and lo and behold, the evil critter started cleaning the tang! It didn't last long, but it was enough to make me take pause.

As a few of you suggested, my Kole tang is not interested at all in the long outcrops of hair algae. He is quite content to suck the back glass and rocks that don't even look like they have any algae.

Updates: I replaced the 3rd of 4 bulbs the other day (my own reference since I use this as my tank journal); nobody has died - even when a rock fell on my yellow fiji leather and I found it smooshed in the morning; I still have hair algae but it doesn't look like it's spreading; my green star polyps are irritating my brain coral and causing it to recede in a small section; I have pineapple sponges; my Kole Tang chases my six line wrasse and my lawnmower blenny; and I sold all my excess LR in two hours from my first posting to pickup time.

I had originally, secretly, planned on getting a mandarin when my reef reached it's one-year anniversary. I've reconsidered because I haven't seen a pod in at least a month, maybe more. Perhaps the six line is scarfing them all down.

[hma]

Originally Posted by Melanie

He he he Craig. I just love you!

Anyone hear of a CBS (coral banded shrimp) acting as a cleaner?

I have had a few days off work and have used that time to really observe my tank since I normally only get a few minutes a day. I've been sitting for hours just watching.

My new Kole Tang went over to the skunk cleaner shrimp who looked interested but hesitant. I guess he was too slow, so the Kole headed over to the CBS and lo and behold, the evil critter started cleaning the tang! It didn't last long, but it was enough to make me take pause.

As a few of you suggested, my Kole tang is not interested at all in the long outcrops of hair algae. He is quite content to suck the back glass and rocks that don't even look like they have any algae.

Updates: I replaced the 3rd of 4 bulbs the other day (my own reference since I use this as my tank journal); nobody has died - even when a rock fell on my yellow fiji leather and I found it smooshed in the morning; I still have hair algae but it doesn't look like it's spreading; my green star polyps are irritating my brain coral and causing it to recede in a small section; I have pineapple sponges; my Kole Tang chases my six line wrasse and my lawnmower blenny; and I sold all my excess LR in two hours from my first posting to pickup time.

I had originally, secretly, planned on getting a mandarin when my reef reached it's one-year anniversary. I've reconsidered because I haven't seen a pod in at least a month, maybe more. Perhaps the six line is scarfing them all down.

Yes i am ... Stenopus hispidus gets along well with most fish and invertebrates in an aquarium. However, triggerfish and many eels will dine on Coral Banded Shrimp when given the opportunity. This shrimp will actively clean fish, when presented with parasites. Only small fish like Gobies etc. must pay attention they are not eaten themselves and not only their parasites.

[Octoman]

Great shots Melanie!

My CBS shoots out after my tang when she swims by, but she always runs away. You have a skunk cleaner shrimp too don't you? I've wanted to add a cleaner, but I've heard bad things about CBS attacking other shrimp. Have you noticed any interaction?

[Melanie]

Yes, I have peppermint shrimp, skunk cleaner shrimp, and coral banded shrimp. The peppermints don't seem to act as fish cleaners, just stay busy keeping the tank clean.

I have noticed bad things with the CBS. He hasn't attacked my other shrimp (yet) but I suspect him of killing many hermit crabs and poking at my more peaceful fish. If I had it all to do over, I would not get the CBS at all. Granted he is quite beautiful and his antennae span at least 8" across...

[Craig Manoukian]

The Kole's mouth structure (bristletooth - Ctenochaetus species) is for cleaning small micro algea off the glass and rocks. Acanthurus, and Zebrasomas species have a mouth structure more suited to nibbling macro algeas.

[ScubaDrew]

"I'm in your reef... ignorin ur hair algae" hahah

[Melanie]

Well, I finally did a water change. I like to stick to weekly changes but it's been (ahem) a little longer than that. I also did LFS hopping today. I got some Eagle Eye zoas, a chilipepper coral, a little yellow gorg frag ($5!!), dual colored frogspawn, a sexy shrimp, blue/lavendar torch coral, and three indonesian snails. I rearranged a little, cleaned my sponges, rinsed my carbon/phosguard, put my new heater in and installed another Hydor Korallia 1. It was a busy day for me! I also bought Marine Snow but I haven't used it yet. The chilipepper coral is non-photosynthetic so he needs some target feeding.

The lights went out soon after I finished cleaning so we'll have to wait for photos. I'm also going to wait for the water tests because it was really cloudy "dirty." I'm back on the weekly water changes.

In case you didn't see the thread, a few days ago I got the most FANTASTIC present from ScubaDrew and his new company NorthEastCoral.com. Surprise!!! Thank you Drew!

Since you have to wait for photos of my new purchases today, I'll share the photos of Drew's contribution to my RS Community Tank.

[panmanmatt]

I would be sure to run plenty of fresh carbon in the system for the next few days. Adding that many new corals to a system can cause some chemical warfare to take place.

[Dentoid]

Very nice additions Melanie! Can't wait to see the other additions.

[Melanie]

Thanks Matt! That thought hadn't occurred to me. I actually ordered some fresh carbon today with my gift certificate that I won from the photo contest. It's supposed to be here in a few days. I rinsed my carbon for now.

Fortunately they are all very spread out and not touching each other. Hopefully that will help.

Thank you Dentoid! I'll be sure to post the new guys ASAP. I'm sure the water will be nice and clear tomorrow.

[panmanmatt]

It's not so much them touching is it is them "sensing" a new coral in the tank. It may or may not be an issue, but I always like to run fresh carbon when adding a group of new corals.

[goldenmean]

Oh.
I like to see pics of new corals!

I cant wait to see what you got!

[Craig Manoukian]

Sounds like a great day Mel!

[Melanie]

Here are the promised photos of the new stuff! I didn't get a shot of the tiny gorg because he fell over and I didn't have a chance to right him when I took these this morning before work.

Chili pepper coral (closed up)


Red Grape Calupera I think


Dual colored frogspawn


Eagle Eyes zoas


Powder blue trumpet (next to the teal trumpet from KathywithBirds)