Macro Algae & Corals 25 Gallon Peninsula

[OldRed1]

This hammer looks so silly when I do direct target feeding. Nom Nom!

 

[tinyfellows]

This hammer looks so silly when I do direct target feeding. Nom Nom!

What do you feed it. Mine hasn’t shown any response or interest in food

 

[OldRed1]

What do you feed it. Mine hasn’t shown any response or interest in food

I use Coral Feast once a week on the day I do a water change.

 

[OldRed1]

Things sure get busy around the holidays! Changed around the aquascape to make more room for corals and to create more swimming space for the fish. The fish were not using the crevices and caves as much as I thought, so the new layout will be more functional.

 

[OldRed1]

@ISpeakForTheSeas @LiverockRocks

Update on our little mystery crab friend…It’s now our LARGE mystery crab friend.

 

[OldRed1]

Clowns are loving all the space!

 

[JoJosReef]

@ISpeakForTheSeas @LiverockRocks

Update on our little mystery crab friend…It’s now our LARGE mystery crab friend.

Starting to get some more prominent patterns on the shell. Any luck woth the ID?

I just got a skunk cleaner in my 13.5. Really livens up a nano tank!

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

@ISpeakForTheSeas @LiverockRocks

Update on our little mystery crab friend…It’s now our LARGE mystery crab friend.

Wow, that looks nearly identical to the juvenile Hepatus epheliticus pic I shared earlier. Yeah, based on the species I’ve been able to find juvenile coloration for, I’d feel more confident now guessing either H. epheliticus or H. pudibundus (it’ll be really obvious which one once the crab matures, as H. epheliticus has lots of large, brownish spots on the tan shell while H. pudibundus has lots of little spots, stripes, both, or almost none of either). I’m not sure which of the two (I can’t find many juvenile coloration pics of either), but I’d be surprised if it’s not one of the two.

 

[OldRed1]

Starting to get some more prominent patterns on the shell. Any luck woth the ID?

I just got a skunk cleaner in my 13.5. Really livens up a nano tank!

We think it’s a Calico Box Crab!

 

[OldRed1]

Wow, that looks nearly identical to the juvenile Hepatus epheliticus pic I shared earlier. Yeah, based on the species I’ve been able to find juvenile coloration for, I’d feel more confident now guessing either H. epheliticus or H. pudibundus (it’ll be really obvious which one once the crab matures, as H. epheliticus has lots of large, brownish spots on the tan shell while H. pudibundus has lots of little spots, stripes, both, or almost none of either). I’m not sure which of the two (I can’t find many juvenile coloration pics of either), but I’d be surprised if it’s not one of the two.

I’m talking to my partner about buying a second (smaller) Nano tank just for the crab! It is such a cool invert but I’m worried it won’t have space in the current tank.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I’m talking to my partner about buying a second (smaller) Nano tank just for the crab! It is such a cool invert but I’m worried it won’t have space in the current tank.

I wouldn’t blame you at all - you definitely got some neat crabs with your live rock!

 

[OldRed1]

I wouldn’t blame you at all - you definitely got some neat crabs with your live rock!

Thank you for all your help getting them ID’d!

 

[OldRed1]

Calico Box Crab enjoying some afternoon shrimp.

 

[OldRed1]

Really loving how the tank is coming together. Just need corals to grow faster!

 

[OldRed1]

A few weeks ago, something went whack in my tank and several of my zoa colonies curled up and started down the path of melting. This happened effectively overnight, and it’s still unclear what happened.

Unfortunately, I lost my Little Shop of Horror and Exosphere polyps (rip). My AOI colony also took a nose dive, but I’m glad to say, knocking on wood, that it seems they are making a full recovery. Good lesson to never count a coral down!

 

[Mschmidt]

Great build thread! Those macro shots really make me want some Tampa Bay rock and sand.

 

[OldRed1]

Great build thread! Those macro shots really make me want some Tampa Bay rock and sand.

Thank you! I don't think you can go wrong with TBS. As with any live rock order, you are bound to get some hitchhikers that may qualify as 'baddies': hairy crabs, whelks, eunice worms, etc. I would trade those occasional pests--and I am not even convinced they are all pests, frankly--for the bountiful macro algae, crabs, pods, sponges, corals, and beneficial bacteria that came on the rock, too.

On top of all of that, the folks at @LiverockRocks are also just wonderful with respect to customer care and prompt communication. Would gladly recommend them 11/10 times!

 

[Mschmidt]

Thank you! I don't think you can go wrong with TBS. As with any live rock order, you are bound to get some hitchhikers that may qualify as 'baddies': hairy crabs, whelks, eunice worms, etc. I would trade those occasional pests--and I am not even convinced they are all pests, frankly--for the bountiful macro algae, crabs, pods, sponges, corals, and beneficial bacteria that came on the rock, too.

On top of all of that, the folks at @LiverockRocks are also just wonderful with respect to customer care and prompt communication. Would gladly recommend them 11/10 times!

In reference to the "bad" hitchhikers, I like the line one of my theology professors gave when talking about plants: a weed is just a plant where you don't want it.

 

[OldRed1]

New friend in the tank! Adorable little tail spot blenny. I now understand why people rave about these little fishies so much!

 

[Mschmidt]

I love my tailspot, named him loki. Great little fish.