What would some inverts that would work in a 15g softies reef. There is a blue and yellow tail damsel in the tank already. There are also a couple blue leg hermits and 2 big hermits that im not sure there type but there about 2".

Tank is connected to a 10g refuge/ sump. There is no skimmer on this tank.



I was thinking:
pom pom crab
porcelin crab
brittle star
feather duster
cleaner shrimp
blood shrimp

My main concern is that the large crabs will kill any other medium sized crabs (blue legs are left alone though). They killed a couple of snails i had, but would a crab be ok as it has a harder shell and is probably faster? Im also not sure about a pom pom with the fish as these fish eat like mad and could torment the crab.


I will probably end up with a feather duster at some time anyways, so im mroe interested in a crab or even shrimp

You could do sexy shrrimp, harlequins, cleaners, pom pom crabs, anything you would like, really. Just make sure the creature is reef safe.

Sounds Great!

Becareful with the Blood Shrimp though. They have no problem stealing food from your corals...


+1 You can have a LOT of inverts as long as they are reef safe and not aggressive.

I have 2 skunk cleaners and an emerald in my 15g... along with a bunch of hermits of course :-)

Very true u can pack on the inverts, just to give an idea I have 1 tiger pistol shrimp, 2 pom pom crabs, 4 bumble bee shrimp, a cleaner shrimp, Dozen or more scarlet reef hermits; just for starters.

You can get:
5 sexy shrimp
2 bumble bee shrimp pairs
1 pom pom crab
1 porcelin crab
and much much more!

Harlequins are pretty, interesting, and like to dance. I recomend them.
Gotta feed them sea stars as well.

If you are getting a Brittle Star I wouldn't get Sexy Shrimp.

Brittle Stars wille eat small inverts and even small fish. I have seen this happen before, don't make that mistake. When they get large they get hungry and mean.

How much do Harlequins usually go for? SQUARED, do you mean i would have to culture starfish to feed them?

What would be compatible with a brittle star that wont soon become food? How much of an effect will a cuc have on the bioload of a tank? I understand they will consume thing that would otherwise rot, but they still make waste.

Anything that is not too small can be kept with a brittle star.

CUC does not add much to your bioload at all.

Yes, you have to culture starfish so you can feed Harlys.

The inverts you've listed aren't a CuC. Snails and hermits are CuC.. for the most part.

And harlequins need a constant supply of the stars as that is all they eat. And they eat a lot. From what I understand, most starve to death.

Other than that, the 2 crabs you listed are filter feeders, I wouldn't worry about them hurting anything.

Also, I don't see the point in blood shrimp.. they are very expensive and spend all day hiding in the rocks so you never see them. Just a thought.

+1

I think pom poms are just the same. You never see them.

I think I read somewhere that blood shrimp are nocturnal. I keep the harlequin's food in the back chambers. I cut them when it is time to feed. Don't let this keep you from getting these shrimp, its actually quite easy.

Just make sure your shrimp have a constant supply of food, as stated, but they can go for two days or so after they finished thier meal.

I'd be interested if you could elaborate how to stock and prep the harley's food.. do you feed them whole stars?

Also any general shrimp feeding info would be cool, I find it rather interesting

I thought that true brittle stars (with the bristley legs) were only scavangers and were totally reef safe, but serpent stars, which have smooth legs and are often called brittle stars, will go for a lot of different things they can get their hands on, but also scavange.

I have seen videos of large brittle stars eating small inverts and fish. They are scavengers as well. I am only warning.


Micro brittle and serpent stars are fine.. and fun to have