Micro predator for a pico?

Kehy · Apr 4, 2021

I've got a 2 gallon cube and while things are ok, the pod (of various species and sizes) population is nuts. It's at the point where the many large (3/8"+) pods are bothering the coral. I don't feel it's ethical to have fish in this tank in particular- actual water volume and swimming room are too limited.

Are there any non-fish predators I can add to maintain more reasonable pod levels?

Saltyreef · Apr 4, 2021

A single flaming prawn goby would eat pods and be a stellar 2g tankmate as it dwells in the sand

If i had one fish to pick for a <5g nano that would be it.

MONTANTK · Apr 4, 2021

Saltyreef said:
A single flaming prawn goby would eat pods and be a stellar 2g tankmate as it dwells in the sand
If i had one fish to pick for a <5g nano that would be it.

Flaming prawn goby is an excellent choice. Other than that I can’t think of much else

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 4, 2021

Yed i agree. Goby.
D

BloopFish · Apr 4, 2021

Porcelain crabs may? eat some copepods, but probably not enough to make a dent in your population. There aren't many inverts that are known to decimate pod populations in the aquarium reef trade, fish are more known to do the job.

Kehy · Apr 4, 2021

Hmm, well I do also have a 3 gallon that I'm fiddling around with I'd be more comfortable putting a fish in, so theoretically the 2 gallon could be a vacation all-you-can-eat buffet home?

malacoda · Apr 4, 2021

Randall's (aka candy cane) pistol shrimp may help too. Also likely to form a symbiotic relationship with a flaming , hi-fin, yasha or other small prawn/shrimp goby.

That said, while the will prey on the pods, I'm not sure they'd do enough to cull back such a rampant amphipod population ... or, if the would, how long it would take.

Kehy · Apr 4, 2021

A thought: would a small anemone feed on the pods? I'm thinking tiny rock flower or mini carpet nem

Kehy · Apr 5, 2021

Update: no thank you.

Hole is 3/4 -1" in diameter, but I'm not going in there to measure

Kehy · Apr 5, 2021

Update for the update: was blessed with the easiest hunt in my life. The worm was over 6" long in the tank. I have an 8" tank.

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 5, 2021

Their goes ur pod eater. Lol.
D

Ef4life · Apr 5, 2021

Kehy said:
Update: no thank you.

Hole is 3/4 -1" in diameter, but I'm not going in there to measure

They are good guys, excellent clean up crew. They really don’t bother zoas either in my experience.

edit - I see you say 6” - yeah that’s a little bit for a 2 gallon

Kehy · Apr 5, 2021

Ef4life said:
They are good guys, excellent clean up crew. They really don’t bother zoas either in my experience.

edit - I see you say 6” - yeah that’s a little bit for a 2 gallon

Last time I had a big one (5") it went right after my zoas as soon as I put them in. I'm fine with the little ones, but 4" or larger I cull.

Bleeding heart me though caught it alive, and it's in a holding cell. Contemplating making a pico so it may live in peace, and I can atone for my worm crimes

BloopFish · Apr 5, 2021

If you are deathly afraid of bristleworms for whatever reason, you can get an arrow crab or a coral banded shrimp to eat them. Though the former would probably quickly outgrow your tank. None of these, like the pods or bristleworms, are an actual issue though.