What are some cool very unique and interesting inverts?

[rkpetersen]

I'm aware of that, but wow they're pretty critters. My scape is gonna be really open and there won't really be any way of me losing track of the cucumber, but for good measure do you know any warning signs?

You don't have to worry too much with the small yellow sea cucumbers. They will typically find a nice spot and stay there indefinitely, sticking out their tentacles to filter feed. They don't dig through the sandbed like some other cucumbers. No one bothers them, and they are small compared to other species. While I suppose they could release a toxin if stressed, the likelihood seems pretty remote.

 

[Oscaror]

Now this one is very difficult to talk about. Nudibranchs are pretty much what got me interested in saltwater in the first place, and I've always had a desire to find a way to keep them. Now we all know the reputation, and that reputation is for good reason. I've been doing some research for a while and it seems that this commonly sold nudi (Jorunna funebris) feeds on the commonly available blue sponge. I have a theory about how this animal could be kept alive in a tank, it's pretty much the same as the harlequin shrimp method. Basically keeping a tank to culture its food source (blue sponge in this case) and cutting meal sized portions off to feed it. It works for harlequin shrimp, I feel like it could work for these nudis too, and any other nudi species that may eat common aquarium sponges. I just feel like, well it's undeniable that these slugs are THE most striking invertebrates. We've made the harlequin shrimp work, jellyfish are now easier than ever to keep. I wasn't around for it but I know there was a time when keeping SPS corals was considered unthinkable. I feel like even if nudibranchs aren't the next step in this hobby, they are a future one. I mean the only barrier is literally just diet. All these animals do is eat and poo their whole life, the only challenge is feeding them. Surely it can't be that hard to figure it out? I just think nobody wants to try. The only people who buy nudibranchs do it by mistake, I don't think there's been a person yet who's really dedicated effort into discovering care methods for them. It's a shame because it's my favorite invert, maybe I'll try some day.

 

[Oscaror]

You don't have to worry too much with the small yellow sea cucumbers. They will typically find a nice spot and stay there indefinitely, sticking out their tentacles to filter feed. They don't dig through the sandbed like some other cucumbers. No one bothers them, and they are small compared to other species. While I suppose they could release a toxin if stressed, the likelihood seems pretty remote.

I won't be keeping any fish that can be a hazard to any of the inverts, so there'll be no stress on the cucumber

 

[Katrina71]

There is one other I forgot to mention. Halloween crabs are awesome. Others in my family have declared them dead due to the empty exoskeleton on the bottom only to have them reapear a few days later. They lumber along and don't fight with anyone. I think they are too big for fighting.

I ordered 2 this week. I'm excited to see them.

 

[icejam]

Pistol shrimp is cool to watch them bulldoze. You usually only know they are alive by the crack they make.

Mine comes out regularly during feeding times and is rather active during the day mining the sand like there's no tomorrow.

For cool looking nem look into octopus anemone.
My LFS had some last month and that was the first time I seen it ever.

 

[redpine42]

Mine comes out regularly during feeding times and is rather active during the day mining the sand like there's no tomorrow.

For cool looking nem look into octopus anemone.
My LFS had some last month and that was the first time I seen it ever.

I have a couple pistols and I do see them once in awhile, but daily I hear their crack which tells me the are still alive. I also have a yasha, but rarely see it. I assume that is a pink bar goby? I had one before a cover. Wonderful goby until it jumped out of the tank.

 

[icejam]

I have a couple pistols and I do see them once in awhile, but daily I hear their crack which tells me the are still alive. I also have a yasha, but rarely see it. I assume that is a pink bar goby? I had one before a cover. Wonderful goby until it jumped out of the tank.

It's a Wheeler's shrimp goby. Still a juvenile so only just started to show colors on front bars.

Here's a better picture

 

[Ferrell]

I’ve got a sally light foot that is pretty cool. She’s shed twice now. And is a pretty good size. Reminds me of an alien creature crawling around n the underside of the caves

 

[Oscaror]

I’ve got a sally light foot that is pretty cool. She’s shed twice now. And is a pretty good size. Reminds me of an alien creature crawling around n the underside of the caves

Yeah, really have a look that other inverts really don't bring. Kinda scary though

 

[Oscaror]

Anyone know anything about Ascidians (Sea squirts)?

 

[tripdad]

I have hundreds of tiny sea squirts in my sump. I'm waiting on one similar to your picture now so I'll see how it goes. The only person I've seen keep one long term is David Saxby.

 

[Oscaror]

I have hundreds of tiny sea squirts in my sump. I'm waiting on one similar to your picture now so I'll see how it goes. The only person I've seen keep one long term is David Saxby.

Do the sea squirts do well in your sump? I want to create a very diverse ecosystem refugium so having some sea squirts and tunicates in there would be awesome!
Found a tidal gardens video on them (love his videos), interesting stuff

 

[tripdad]

They have flourished but are so small I don't think they make any real dent in nutrients. But the fact they are multiplying gives me courage to try a larger sea squirt.

 

[skijumpersc]

Mine comes out regularly during feeding times and is rather active during the day mining the sand like there's no tomorrow.

For cool looking nem look into octopus anemone.
My LFS had some last month and that was the first time I seen it ever.

Do you know what species that shrimp is? I've got an identical one and I've been trying to figure out some more about it with no luck

 

[icejam]

Do you know what species that shrimp is? I've got an identical one and I've been trying to figure out some more about it with no luck

I believe it may be alpheus euphrosyne but I wasn't able to find much information about it.
Mine is so loud at times I can hear it clicking from a second floor!!
If freaks me out and fascinates at the same time.

 

[shrimped]

If you do try a sea cucumber, a Emperor Shrimp would be pretty cool.
Lima Shrimp and a Electric Flame Scallop is a nice combo but yes you need to feed frequently while maintaining good water Params.
Xenia Swimming crabs with a nice patch of PomPom Xenias are nice too.
I enjoy growing and expanding my little community of sexy shrimp under my Euphyllia garden. It’s kinda like building a little town for em and increasing population lol.
After you think about it for a little it’s actually kinda hard to find interesting inverts that aren’t in some sort of symbiotic relationship with another living organism.