Clean-up Crew Suggestions

Hello all,
I am in the final stages of cycling and about to purchase my "clean-up crew" I have a 20g FOWLR & live sand and would like your suggestions on what to purchase. My tank with be non-aggressive fish.
I would like a coral banded shrimp, but feeling maybe I should go in the cleaner shrimp direction...if I do, do you feel I have room for more than one? Two perhaps?
I am interested also in a emerald crab, some electric blue hermits or scarlet reef hermits, as well as some turbo/bumble bee snails. I have researched and found that all these should be compatible, do you agree???
How many of each should I shoot for, and I'm assuming I should add them in groups right? Maybe 4-5 each time? Is that a good guideline? And in any particular order?
I of course want a lawnmower blenny, they are just too cute!! When is a good time to add him? With the fish, or along with the clean-up crew?

Thanks for your help, you all are very knowledgeable and glad I found this forum! Its invaluable!!!

 

Welcome to 3Reef!!
I think you would be much better off with a cleaner shrimp than a coral banded in a fowlr. The banded shrimp looks neat but it is a predator. The cleaner shrimp is or could be beneficial to your fish to help them with some possible problems (ICH). Plus it looks nice also That's just my preference. I have both types of shrimp in my 90 and the coral banded only comes out at night and hides during the day. The cleaner is out all the time.
I agree on the lawnmower blenny, I like the way they look. But, I have no experience with them. And yes, I see no problem with adding the 4-5 of the clean up crew at one time. Enjoy

Jim

 

Welcome to 3reef!

It sounds like you may be best served by one of the ipsf.com or saltwaterfish.com reef packages. I have ordered from both companies and have had good luck with both! I would shy away from the emerald crab if you don't have any significant amount of algae (bubble algae in particular) or don't plan on directly feeding it (they like dried nori).

Dont quote me on this, but the general rule of thumb is about one snail/hermit crab per gallon. So, for example, if you have a 20 gallon, maybe 10-15 turbo/nass/cerinth snails and 10 hermits (I like both scarlets and blue-legs, though my blue legs sometimes get shell-envy and kill snails in order to move into the shell -- having plenty of empty shells lying around should aleviate the problem a little bit).

Personally, I love my coral banded and have never had a problem with her attacking anything, and she seems to be a main attraction in the tank.

I also love sally lightfoot's...they seem very industrious and always working on something.

Hope that helped a little bit...good luck!

-Mike

 

Thanks for the quick reply to both of you! Going to the aquarium store tonight! I cant wait! These are going to be my first live purchase wooohooo! (Besides live rock! ;D ) Im so excited!!! Ill keep you all posted!

Thanks again!
Stefanie

* Sally Lightfooted Crabs kinda look like spiders to me, a little creepy! Emerald just sounds so much more attractive... Guess I better stop thinking like a chic...hehehe

 

"The Lawnmower Blenny does best in well-established aquariums with large amounts of natural algae to feed on. The diet can be supplemented with vegetable matter, Spirulina, and herbivore preparations."
You might want to wait a little while before adding this one. I would see if any one else on the board who has some experience with them would like to reply.

Jim

 

As nice as the Emerald may look, you are hardly ever going to see it...they usually find a hole and stay there all the time, only coming out during the night...

remember, if getting the emerald, get some dried nori (from an asian market or something) so u can feed him if u dont have a good amount of algae build-up.

-Mike

 

Ya, thats what I assumed. Thank you a bunch for the info! I purchased my first snails and hermits last night! I might be too excited, but oh well! Anywho, I was originally going to purchase cleaner shrimp for my tank, but really enjoy the blood red fire shrimp as well. I did some research, and some resources say that they are basically classified as cleaner shrimp as well, due to their behavior, would I get the same benefit from either choice?

As far as keeping the snails and hermits "full" do I need to worry about if they are getting enough food? They seem to be "doing their jobs" so do I need to be concerned with that?

thanks again!

 

There is really not too much you can do other than just make sure they always have enough algae...and believe me, most of the time, there is plenty of algae to go around!

I have never had experience with cleaner shrimp or blood red fire shrimp, so I couldnt answer those questions!

Good luck with everything, and its nice to get excited about the little things...its what makes this hobby so much fun!

 

Fire shrimp have been known to be cleaners. They do have a lot of color and IME fit in well in a reef aquarium. I have two of them myself.
They will also eat out of your hand and generally be pigs if you let them
Jim

 

I get the biggest kick out of watching the crabs and their antics. All 3 of mine have changed shells. The last one happened today, 2 times. Switched between the original one, and a shell that another crab traded off.

Yeah, it doesn't take much for me to get exited.
Enjoy your new little friends!!!