Livestock update regarding fish and inverts. Sorry for the bad photos but no one likes sitting still:
High Fin Red Banded Goby (Stonogobiops nematodes) with Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus randalli)
I really need to get a good photo or video of the shrimp. The original fish developed a large swelling or growth on its abdomen a couple months ago and did not survive it. I found a replacement on a trip south and after about a week it found the shrimp. This fish really emboldened the shrimp to come out more and it blew my mind how large it has become. It has grown from about .375" to at least 1.25"
Royal Gramma Basslet (Gramma loreto)
Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)
This guy used to spar with the Foxface while they were the same size. Now that he is a bit smaller, he settled down.
Blotched/One Spot Foxface (Siganus unimaculatus)
My original one succumbed to Cryptocarrion irritans. This one is quite skittish.
Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica)
When two of them passed from ich, one remaining became aggressive. I just had to sump the passive one and it's starting to look better.
Lawnmower/Algae Blenny (Salarias fasciatus)
Bullethole Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
Originally picked two tiny ones and one died within a week. Found another to make a pair and the other small one died. After a short time, I decided to try again with two more tiny fish.
"Black" Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
I say "black" because its more mocha and cream stripes with an orange face... We picked up a tiny pair and again, one died. However, the survivor is basically a gladiator. It survived QT and the meeting the larger female. They have been happy ever since. I don't know if I was selecting too small of a fish or what, but I was saddened by all my losses here.
Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus solorensis)
Another gladiator. Survived copper poisoning, ich and two round of copper treatment. This is my most active fish. It's daily routines amuse me, especially the laps it does around the tank just before lights out.
Ruby Longfin Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubeus)
This is my "Eleanor". First attempt didn't survive the first night. I believe this was due to drip acclimation, which I no long use. Round two went through QT just fine, then developed a swim bladder disorder out of nowhere. I almost gave up until the third time I saw them come up for sale again. I decided to try it one more time. Success! This little guy is just under 2" and active as can be. I really believe I saw the big wrasse trying to play with it a few times. The interaction was not aggressive in any way. It was almost welcoming.
Aiptasia Eating Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus)
Purchased with last above-mentioned wrasse. This bugger decided to take a liking to my Duncans while ignoring the Aiptasia. It's now in the sump awaiting a new home.
Sea Hare (Dolabella auricularia)
My wife loves them. I finally caved. It is an interesting creature. I almost feel its pain when it touches a coral and retracts from it, reaching up with its mouth open. You can almost hear the scream.
Tiger Sand Conch (Strombus sp.)
This is my third conch. I think my nitrate swings took the first two out. Things have stabilized and this one is doing well. Mostly buried at night and very active through the day. Seen here working out.
I've stopped adding Blue Legs and switched to Scarlet Reef Hermits. They clearly (in my case) are more interested in the algae growing on the rocks than the Blue Legs are.
Pencil Urchin (Eucidaris tribuloides)
As annoying as this guy is at times, I like it. It does move frags quite often and seems to knock my Caulastrea off the rocks every other night. I am keeping an eye on it as I have heard many reports of them eating coral. So far, this one has stuck to plant matter.
I managed to snag some Stomatella snails. It looks like only one survived though. I'm staying on the lookout for more.
Cerith, Nassarius and Trochus snails are doing okay on the glass and sand. I'm not too impressed with the work being done on the rocks.
Banded Serpent Seastar (Ophiocoma sp.)
Spaghetti Worm (Eupolymnia crassicornis)
Emerald Crab (Mithraculus sculptus)
The first one died in molt. The second one has yet to molt but is being a model citizen.
Strawberry Crab (Neoliomera pubescens)
This guy has molted and is quite entertaining. It messed with my pectinia a couple times while building its cave. That was as fun to watch as the pistol shrimp.
Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni)
Not sure they have touched the Aiptasia. I got three from one place and three more from another. They are a happy bunch but have never been seen doing the job I hired them for.
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
That's all for now. I'm contemplating a Copperband Butterfly, but they come with an entirely different set of risk vs. reward.
