Do I have a hitchhiker?

Reefaholic · 09/07/2008, 01:23 PM

Tank tank is 5 months old. I have a Maroon Clown with GBTA, Lawnmower Blenny, Hermit crabs, Cerith snails. I can't seem to keep Astrea snails, in a couple days all that is left is shell. I put in a cleaner shrimp, it disappeared, no carcus, no evidence that I ever had one, Peppermint shrimp died. Two days ago I put in a Sea Hare, it's gone, disappeared, vanished. So in summary, turbo/astrea snails, shrimp, and sea hare don't seem to survive in my system. All things that survived a couple days are doing great. Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite all undetectable. Is there something in the middle of the night that is eating these animals?

baitshopboy · 09/08/2008, 01:59 AM

Sounds like it to me. Do you hear any clicking? If so, you might have a mantis shrimp.

ludnix · 09/08/2008, 02:21 AM

You can use a flashlight with red cellophane or tissue paper over it to view the tank at night without scaring the fish. Try and plan a stake out one night and see if you can find the hitch-hiker.

crvz · 09/08/2008, 10:08 AM

can you tell us more about the tank parameters, and also the acclimation method you used for the inverts that have disappeared?

09/07/2008, 01:23 PM	#1
Reefaholic Moved On Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 30	Do I have a hitchhiker? Tank tank is 5 months old. I have a Maroon Clown with GBTA, Lawnmower Blenny, Hermit crabs, Cerith snails. I can't seem to keep Astrea snails, in a couple days all that is left is shell. I put in a cleaner shrimp, it disappeared, no carcus, no evidence that I ever had one, Peppermint shrimp died. Two days ago I put in a Sea Hare, it's gone, disappeared, vanished. So in summary, turbo/astrea snails, shrimp, and sea hare don't seem to survive in my system. All things that survived a couple days are doing great. Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite all undetectable. Is there something in the middle of the night that is eating these animals?

09/08/2008, 02:21 AM	#3
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	You can use a flashlight with red cellophane or tissue paper over it to view the tank at night without scaring the fish. Try and plan a stake out one night and see if you can find the hitch-hiker. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

09/08/2008, 10:08 AM	#4
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	can you tell us more about the tank parameters, and also the acclimation method you used for the inverts that have disappeared? __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

09/08/2008, 01:59 AM	#2
baitshopboy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In a van down by the river, IL Posts: 189	Sounds like it to me. Do you hear any clicking? If so, you might have a mantis shrimp.