Hitchhikers on KP aquatic rocks solution?

[Miami Reef]

In a few short hours I will be receiving my first KP rocks (shipped in water).

I’ve seen threads about receiving mantis shrimp and gorilla crabs.

What’s the process of evacuating them? Do I put the rock in hyper saline water, or is there a more effective method?

 

[JGT]

I tried this and while some came out, not all did. Your best bet if you can do it is put the rock into your tank without any corals or fish. Try to lay it out so there’s not a lot of stacking. This way you can remove rocks as needed. And just observe and remove shrimps/crabs as you see them with tweezers. Or if you see them hiding in a rock, remove the specific rock and place into a bucket and wait until they come out. I did this and had great success removing any pests.

 

[Miami Reef]

I received the rocks!

I was able to find a pistol shrimp and a gorilla crab. Both were removed. I got 2 brittle starfish which I kept.

One thing: I see quite a bit of bubble algae. I normally don’t worry about algae pests - they are all part of an ecosystem. But what would you do if you got some bubble algae in your live rocks?

Starting to rethink if this was a good idea.

 

[Miami Reef]

@Tamberav @jda @Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[Miami Reef]

And what is this?

 

[GarrettT]

Heads up, I found 5 gorilla crabs on a single rock from KP. Well worth it, but be aware, you liking have many more in there. For bubble algae, just keep nutrients low and get an emerald crab. Don't pop em.

 

[Midrats]

It's great rock. The hitchhikers are an unwarranted concern. I have pistol shrimp that have been living for years. All they do is snap occasionally, never bother a thing. As far as unwanted algae, they are always lurking, waiting for conditions to be just right.

 

[JGT]

I received the rocks!

I was able to find a pistol shrimp and a gorilla crab. Both were removed. I got 2 brittle starfish which I kept.

One thing: I see quite a bit of bubble algae. I normally don’t worry about algae pests - they are all part of an ecosystem. But what would you do if you got some bubble algae in your live rocks?

Starting to rethink if this was a good idea.

Interesting, I got 0 bubble algae on my over 300 pounds. You sure it’s bubble algae?

 

[Tamberav]

I just manually remove the bubble algae. It never came back. I believe foxface like to snack on it. Emerald crabs ofc.

My bubble algae came in on frags though and not KPA rock. Hm.

I did not ship mine in water. All my bad crabs were dead on arrival but the dusters, sponges, tunicates, and bacteria were fine. The no water took care of most of the bad for me

 

[GarrettT]

It's great rock. The hitchhikers are an unwarranted concern. I have pistol shrimp that have been living for years. All they do is snap occasionally, never bother a thing. As far as unwanted algae, they are always lurking, waiting for conditions to be just right.

Thats dependent on the hitchhiker and what you plan on keeping. I had to remove a handful of gorilla crabs and 3 pencil sea urchins. Only purchased 30lbs of rock. Pistol shrimp really isn't much of a concern for corals.

 

[GarrettT]

Interesting, I got 0 bubble algae on my over 300 pounds. You sure it’s bubble algae?

Mine came with bubble algae, bryopsis, red turf, and other types. It's just a part of owning LIVE rock really.

 

[jda]

Shrimp and crabs will nearly always head into bottle traps with a meaty treat inside - guzzle down some bottled water or soda and make a few. Some people used to just drill down into the holes with drill bits to eliminate the threat if they cannot get something out that was a real problem.

 

[Miami Reef]

Here’s the bubble algae.

 

[Miami Reef]

Is this a pistol shrimp? Can I pair it with a goby?

 

[JGT]

Here’s the bubble algae.

Maybe it’s me, where? Don’t see any bubble algae.

 

[Miami Reef]

Maybe it’s me, where? Don’t see any bubble algae.

I will circle it for you

 

[Miami Reef]

 

[JGT]

Ah OK. Now I see it but wouldn’t say 1 bubble on a good sized piece of rock is a lot. Remove it by hand, rinse off with saltwater and you’ll be fine. Is this the premium or base rock?

 

[Tonycass12]

Ha thats barely anything. I think you scored some great looking rock.

 

[Miami Reef]

Ah OK. Now I see it but wouldn’t say 1 bubble on a good sized piece of rock is a lot. Remove it by hand, rinse off with saltwater and you’ll be fine. Is this the premium or base rock?

There’s more. I just chose to show this one because people are saying KP doesn’t come with bubble algae.