Spirobid and asterina population explosion

[Kimberely]

I know the spirobids are harmless, but they're an eye sore and I'm tired of scraping them off. My sixline doesn't touch them (I think I'm feeding him too well and he's obese and lazy). Any suggestions? Also curious if I could keep a pair of bumble bee shrimp in a 29 gallon. Current stock is a sixline and a pair of ocellaris. I'm feeding daily. Alternating between Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Flakes and 1/3 of a cube of frozen mysis. Skipping feedings on Fridays.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[ludnix]

It might help to skip the flakes, they are known to break down into particles too small for the fish but may be feeding and contributing to your spirobid population.

 

[Kimberely]

It might help to skip the flakes, they are known to break down into particles too small for the fish but may be feeding and contributing to your spirobid population.

Thanks. Would pellets be better? Or would you suggest just the mysis?

 

[ludnix]

I think the pellets are better than the flakes, an overall reduction in the total food might be needed as well. I'm sure the spirobids have no problem eating fish waste so reducing the overall nutrients available should help control the population.

 

[Kimberely]

I think the pellets are better than the flakes, an overall reduction in the total food might be needed as well. I'm sure the spirobids have no problem eating fish waste so reducing the overall nutrients available should help control the population.

Thanks. I think I'll get some pellets and cut back to every other day for a while then. I read that bumble bee shrimp would eat the asterinas, but unlike harlequin they'll accept other foods as well. But they need to be kept in pairs. Do you know if that's true?

 

[Hemmdog]

Thanks. I think I'll get some pellets and cut back to every other day for a while then. I read that bumble bee shrimp would eat the asterinas, but unlike harlequin they'll accept other foods as well. But they need to be kept in pairs. Do you know if that's true?

Mysis would be much better if your home. The pellets turn to nutrient dust too, just not quite as bad as flakes. Mysis is healthier for the fish.

 

[Kimberely]

Mysis would be much better if your home. The pellets turn to nutrient dust too, just not quite as bad as flakes. Mysis is healthier for the fish.

Mysis it is then. Thank you.

 

[Chad Sepulvado]

Getvupu a harlequin for the asterina

 

[Kimberely]

Getvupu a harlequin for the asterina

The problem with a harlequin is that my LFS doesn't usually keep chocolate chip starfish for me to feed it after it clears out the asterinas. I wouldn't want it to starve.

 

[Hemmdog]

The problem with a harlequin is that my LFS doesn't usually keep chocolate chip starfish for me to feed it after it clears out the asterinas. I wouldn't want it to starve.

Oh for those just manually grab the ones on the glass everyday for a week. The population will dwindle to nothing. This worked surprisingly well in my 40b. A bigger tank would be challenging. I have zero left in my tanks now.

 

[Kimberely]

Oh for those just manually grab the ones on the glass everyday for a week. The population will dwindle to nothing. This worked surprisingly well in my 40b. A bigger tank would be challenging. I have zero left in my tanks now.

I'll give it a go. Thanks again.