Unwanted critters in your tank

robrich342 · 12/31/2006, 06:44 AM

I had my first experience using a red light a few hours after lights out, to view my reef tank. ( OMG )

How do you know if all those night time critters are good guys or not ? Reef Central have any links to help with identification of these night time critters?

casingbill · 12/31/2006, 06:49 AM

yup....

Melevs Id page

chemisfun11 · 12/31/2006, 06:54 AM

Checkout the Reefkeeping magazine aritcle about hitch hikers, there are some pics too. From my experience most critters are good. Some have gotten a bad wrap since they are discovered devouring a fish/coral/invert that has already been dead or dying. Observe, try to identify or have a fellow reefer help you id it before you attempt to erradicate anything.

I once had an acro crab that was cute, but he started to travel and chew on some of my more prized acros. He wasn't so cute anymore and I removed him from my tank and put him in my refugium.

Hope this helps.

robrich342 · 12/31/2006, 06:59 AM

well I have a few worms they are 1.5 inches long. They are not bristles, and look harmless but Im not sure.

casingbill · 12/31/2006, 07:47 AM

are they in the sand or on the rock?

robrich342 · 12/31/2006, 08:27 AM

rock

casingbill · 12/31/2006, 08:28 AM

they may be peanut worms

robrich342 · 12/31/2006, 08:35 AM

good? Bad ? or really no impact

PiXieCath · 12/31/2006, 09:38 AM

They are good, they are scavengers and be a part of the clean up crew

Sk8r · 12/31/2006, 10:16 AM

Worms are generally good, except eunice worms---4 tentacles at head.
Snails with a 'saddle' shell and long antennae are good: stomatellas.
Tiny crustaceans (copepods and amphipods) that scurry over the sand at night are good.

PiXieCath · 12/31/2006, 11:57 AM

Eunice have 5 tentacle at head.

12/31/2006, 06:44 AM	#1
robrich342 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: East Coast Posts: 472	Unwanted critters in your tank I had my first experience using a red light a few hours after lights out, to view my reef tank. ( OMG ) How do you know if all those night time critters are good guys or not ? Reef Central have any links to help with identification of these night time critters?

12/31/2006, 06:49 AM	#2
casingbill Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stanfordville, NY Posts: 480	yup.... Melevs Id page __________________ Opinions are like nipples on a man...we all have at least 2 and they're completely useless! Current Tank Info: AGA 90g reef in works,

12/31/2006, 06:54 AM	#3
chemisfun11 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bellmore,NY Posts: 288	Checkout the Reefkeeping magazine aritcle about hitch hikers, there are some pics too. From my experience most critters are good. Some have gotten a bad wrap since they are discovered devouring a fish/coral/invert that has already been dead or dying. Observe, try to identify or have a fellow reefer help you id it before you attempt to erradicate anything. I once had an acro crab that was cute, but he started to travel and chew on some of my more prized acros. He wasn't so cute anymore and I removed him from my tank and put him in my refugium. Hope this helps. __________________ I wish I could think of something clever to write here... Current Tank Info: Custom 170 gallon 54"x30"x24" low iron rimless glass tank, 20g fuge, 100g sump, AquaC EV 240 skimmer, Geo Calcium reactor

12/31/2006, 06:59 AM	#4
robrich342 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: East Coast Posts: 472	well I have a few worms they are 1.5 inches long. They are not bristles, and look harmless but Im not sure. __________________ Liberty anit cheap ! Current Tank Info: 50G SC Starfire rimless mix reef

12/31/2006, 07:47 AM	#5
casingbill Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stanfordville, NY Posts: 480	are they in the sand or on the rock? __________________ Opinions are like nipples on a man...we all have at least 2 and they're completely useless! Current Tank Info: AGA 90g reef in works,

12/31/2006, 08:27 AM	#6
robrich342 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: East Coast Posts: 472	rock __________________ Liberty anit cheap ! Current Tank Info: 50G SC Starfire rimless mix reef

12/31/2006, 08:28 AM	#7
casingbill Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stanfordville, NY Posts: 480	they may be peanut worms __________________ Opinions are like nipples on a man...we all have at least 2 and they're completely useless! Current Tank Info: AGA 90g reef in works,

12/31/2006, 08:35 AM	#8
robrich342 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: East Coast Posts: 472	good? Bad ? or really no impact __________________ Liberty anit cheap ! Current Tank Info: 50G SC Starfire rimless mix reef

12/31/2006, 09:38 AM	#9
PiXieCath Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Québec, Canada Posts: 387	They are good, they are scavengers and be a part of the clean up crew __________________ Cath Current Tank Info: 60gal 24x24x24, Marinetech acrylic sump, Profilux Plus II, Profilux Simu-L stick, skimmer Deltec APF800, Media reactor Deltec FR509, Giesemann Spectra 4x24watt T5HO+250watt mogul, JNS Calcium reactor, Tunze 6055

12/31/2006, 10:16 AM	#10
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Worms are generally good, except eunice worms---4 tentacles at head. Snails with a 'saddle' shell and long antennae are good: stomatellas. Tiny crustaceans (copepods and amphipods) that scurry over the sand at night are good. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

12/31/2006, 11:57 AM	#11
PiXieCath Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Québec, Canada Posts: 387	Eunice have 5 tentacle at head. __________________ Cath Current Tank Info: 60gal 24x24x24, Marinetech acrylic sump, Profilux Plus II, Profilux Simu-L stick, skimmer Deltec APF800, Media reactor Deltec FR509, Giesemann Spectra 4x24watt T5HO+250watt mogul, JNS Calcium reactor, Tunze 6055