single chromi / CUC question

CraigSlice · 07/21/2008, 09:35 AM

Well one of the two chromis that were sent to me died (checked all the params and everything seems good 0amm 0nitrite 0nitrate 8.0 ph) so i am wondering how these guys are alone.
I hadnt really planned to have any in my tank, and id rather not add another one right now, But if he will do poorly by himself, i am willing to get another one to make him happy.

Also, guess i mine as well as this question in this post, in a few weeks i think i am going to order a cleanupcrew from liveaquaria for my 75 gallon, but i am unsure on how many i should order. I dont think adding one of there premade packages all at once would be good for the tank (the 30 gallon package alone consists of 70 different crabs and snails) my current CUC is incredibly small (3hermits 2 snails and bristleworms)

I would buy them locally but none of them sell the blue hermits or nassarius snails

just the red hermits and astrea.

*One more quick question, are scarlet hermits as safe as the other small hermits? or does them being bigger make them more likely to eat snails and knock over rockwork

FredTheCat · 07/21/2008, 10:50 AM

Hi Craig...

I had a similar situation when I started a few months ago, one of a pair of chromis dying. The remaining chromis was fine for at least the couple of weeks until I was able to add 3 more baby chromises. He seemed reasonably happy before but he does seem to appreciate the company.

As for the CUC, I'd add a few more snails (and yes, nassarius would be a priority IMO, since they work the sand better than the other snails) but wouldn't think a massive cleanup crew would be needed until you expand your stock. All that said, my experience (short as it is) and the comments of many others here lead me to believe that the only safe crab around snails is no crab.

I'm sure others will have more experienced input for you shortly!

Regards,
FredTheCat

otrlynn · 07/21/2008, 11:08 AM

Regarding the chromis, I have has a single scissortail chromis (with other fish) for over two years. I can't attest to whether he is "happy" but he is thriving and has become somewhat chubby. Eats anything and everything. I think they are generally pretty easy fish to keep.

CraigSlice · 07/21/2008, 03:41 PM

sounds like he would be okay by himself (going to have to be that way for a couple weeks atleast even if i decide to get him a new buddy)

ya, i wasnt planning on buying one of their prebuilt cleaner packs (seems like alot) but wasnt really sure on how many i should add in a few weeks, was looking at some blue hermits, nass snails, and maybe a few astraea, but wasnt sure on a number. I dont want to buy too few and pay there 35 dollar shipping, but i deffinately dont want to buy too many. Was also thinking of picking up a pompom crab!

Also is there another trusted site that sells CUC with better shipping?

thanks for the help so far!

Playa-1 · 07/21/2008, 05:02 PM

I would hold off on the ready made CUC package and maybe just use a small CUC to begin with. You can always add more later.
I would suggest 10 Hermits of your favorite flavor, 15 nassarius, 10 Astrea, and a aquacultured fighting conch. I might even be tempted to skip the hermits all together.

The Chromis will do just fine by itself.

Piece-of-the-Reef is a ebay store you might want to check out. I'm not gonna post the link as I believe it's against the rules.

Here's a few good sites that I've heard good things about but have not had the opportunity to do business with them yet.

http://www.reefscavengers.com/

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ory=4&x=5&y=14

http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/produ...id=1243&cid=82

likemike99 · 07/21/2008, 06:01 PM

clean up crews should not really be a concern. If you don't have enought fish to make crap for them just throw in a raw shrimp every few days.

alextheromanian · 07/21/2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Playa-1
I would hold off on the ready made CUC package and maybe just use a small CUC to begin with. You can always add more later.
I would suggest 10 Hermits of your favorite flavor, 15 nassarius, 10 Astrea, and a aquacultured fighting conch. I might even be tempted to skip the hermits all together.

The Chromis will do just fine by itself.

Piece-of-the-Reef is a ebay store you might want to check out. I'm not gonna post the link as I believe it's against the rules.

Here's a few good sites that I've heard good things about but have not had the opportunity to do business with them yet.

http://www.reefscavengers.com/

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ory=4&x=5&y=14

http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/produ...id=1243&cid=82

i added 5 ...3! times...so a total of 15...

they all died...except for 1...

ive had him for 3 months...he swims with the clowns...

a few weeks ago i added one more...and i caught the cardinal snapping at him....in a week he was gone but i still have that initial one and he swims and eats like a pig

CraigSlice · 07/21/2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Playa-1
I would hold off on the ready made CUC package and maybe just use a small CUC to begin with. You can always add more later.
I would suggest 10 Hermits of your favorite flavor, 15 nassarius, 10 Astrea, and a aquacultured fighting conch. I might even be tempted to skip the hermits all together.

The Chromis will do just fine by itself.

Piece-of-the-Reef is a ebay store you might want to check out. I'm not gonna post the link as I believe it's against the rules.

Here's a few good sites that I've heard good things about but have not had the opportunity to do business with them yet.

http://www.reefscavengers.com/

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ory=4&x=5&y=14

http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/produ...id=1243&cid=82

thank you very much for this! i wasnt planning on getting a premade one, just needed a number on how many to get!
I know that hermits can cause some problems with snails and each other, but i enjoy watching them in my tank, so i do want some
I'll look into those sites, Thanks again!

07/21/2008, 09:35 AM	#1
CraigSlice Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 154	single chromi / CUC question Well one of the two chromis that were sent to me died (checked all the params and everything seems good 0amm 0nitrite 0nitrate 8.0 ph) so i am wondering how these guys are alone. I hadnt really planned to have any in my tank, and id rather not add another one right now, But if he will do poorly by himself, i am willing to get another one to make him happy. Also, guess i mine as well as this question in this post, in a few weeks i think i am going to order a cleanupcrew from liveaquaria for my 75 gallon, but i am unsure on how many i should order. I dont think adding one of there premade packages all at once would be good for the tank (the 30 gallon package alone consists of 70 different crabs and snails) my current CUC is incredibly small (3hermits 2 snails and bristleworms) I would buy them locally but none of them sell the blue hermits or nassarius snails just the red hermits and astrea. *One more quick question, are scarlet hermits as safe as the other small hermits? or does them being bigger make them more likely to eat snails and knock over rockwork

07/21/2008, 11:08 AM	#3
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	Regarding the chromis, I have has a single scissortail chromis (with other fish) for over two years. I can't attest to whether he is "happy" but he is thriving and has become somewhat chubby. Eats anything and everything. I think they are generally pretty easy fish to keep. __________________ Lynn 1 horse, 1 dog, 2 cats, small pond with a few koi. The fish tank is gone.

07/21/2008, 05:02 PM	#5
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I would hold off on the ready made CUC package and maybe just use a small CUC to begin with. You can always add more later. I would suggest 10 Hermits of your favorite flavor, 15 nassarius, 10 Astrea, and a aquacultured fighting conch. I might even be tempted to skip the hermits all together. The Chromis will do just fine by itself. Piece-of-the-Reef is a ebay store you might want to check out. I'm not gonna post the link as I believe it's against the rules. Here's a few good sites that I've heard good things about but have not had the opportunity to do business with them yet. http://www.reefscavengers.com/ http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ory=4&x=5&y=14 http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/produ...id=1243&cid=82 Last edited by Playa-1; 07/21/2008 at 05:13 PM.

07/21/2008, 10:50 AM	#2
FredTheCat Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 29	Hi Craig... I had a similar situation when I started a few months ago, one of a pair of chromis dying. The remaining chromis was fine for at least the couple of weeks until I was able to add 3 more baby chromises. He seemed reasonably happy before but he does seem to appreciate the company. As for the CUC, I'd add a few more snails (and yes, nassarius would be a priority IMO, since they work the sand better than the other snails) but wouldn't think a massive cleanup crew would be needed until you expand your stock. All that said, my experience (short as it is) and the comments of many others here lead me to believe that the only safe crab around snails is no crab. I'm sure others will have more experienced input for you shortly! Regards, FredTheCat

07/21/2008, 03:41 PM	#4
CraigSlice Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 154	sounds like he would be okay by himself (going to have to be that way for a couple weeks atleast even if i decide to get him a new buddy) ya, i wasnt planning on buying one of their prebuilt cleaner packs (seems like alot) but wasnt really sure on how many i should add in a few weeks, was looking at some blue hermits, nass snails, and maybe a few astraea, but wasnt sure on a number. I dont want to buy too few and pay there 35 dollar shipping, but i deffinately dont want to buy too many. Was also thinking of picking up a pompom crab! Also is there another trusted site that sells CUC with better shipping? thanks for the help so far!

07/21/2008, 06:01 PM	#6
likemike99 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 117	clean up crews should not really be a concern. If you don't have enought fish to make crap for them just throw in a raw shrimp every few days.