Stocking for biological control

[Gareth elliott]

Would like to hear some members thoughts on biological control and how you stock to achieve it in a “balanced ecosystem”.

I will define a balanced ecosystem here to mean that the biological control of one species does not inhibit the biological control of another. To give an example adding a wrasse to control flatworms but the wrasse eats your parasite eating shrimp. Can you keep a multi-species control in a small space? And if so how small? And what are the pitfalls you have experienced getting there. My desire is discussion on this species controls this and doesnt eat that, will or will not survive if pest isnt present. How do you create a mini reef of symbiosis?


Not the benefits of ich managed systems vs quarantine. This is for my education for future stocking and something gets passed my introduction methods.

 

[ca1ore]

If your goal is to have animals eat only the things you deem pests, you are going to be mostly out of luck. For example, I swear by a halocheres (sp?) wrasse for control of things like flatworms, pyramid snails and even bristle worms ..... but it will also eat the CUC. Though I suppose if I did not have a CUC, it would meet your criteria. I think it is better to aspire to biodiversity, and accept that some periodic replenishment will be required.

 

[ca1ore]

Not the benefits of ich managed systems vs quarantine. This is for my education for future stocking and something gets passed my introduction methods.

Say what?

 

[Gareth elliott]

Maybe to further that thought, what animals allow for replenishment of a cleanup crew, to a level where still useful? Do you have to replace several times a year, or are you replacing almost immediately upon tank introduction?
Ich statement was because ive seen how pest threads diverge, ive read these threads and see the merits of both sides id perfer this to be a discussion on how thoughtful stocking can mitigate the inadvertent addition of a pest.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Also maybe i have made this thread a little to narrow.
What do you add to for biological control how does it interact with the other inhabitants of your tank, and what are those other inhabitants?