inverts

[DS5000]

tank just cycled, first two clownfish tranferred from QT into DT this weekend.
Novice question - when/should i start adding planned inverts - trochus, emerald crab and nassarius snail - since I dont see any algae yet, will they need supplemental food, and will they start eating the algae that I cant see

 

[Reef.]

I would wait till you need them, adding food for them defeats their purpose, more food could mean more algae, on a new tank why risk it?

Saying that, I find snails etc interesting to watch, so if you want you can add them now but just be aware you most probably need to feed them and they could die quite soon in a new tank. Finding food for them is not easy keep in mind.

Cleaner shrimps are a good first choice for a new tank, they do help clean the tank and can be target feed and also if they are quick enough can grad the food you add for the fish.

 

[Darren in Tacoma]

Without enough food to scavenge that Emerald crab will probably get that snail. He might even get him WITH enough food to scavenge.