CBS and DSB

[Reallybigtoad]

Any reports of Coral Banded Shrimp preying on DSB critters? Will they eat bristle worms and such. I have 1 CBS in a 180 ga reef, he's been there for at least 2 years, no reports or him going after any fish or corals, but I'm wondering if he's chowing down on my critters.

Any thoughts?

-todd

 

[Reallybigtoad]

Can anybody answer this for me? Who else is keeping a Coral Banded Shrimp in their reef with a deep sand bed?

-todd

 

[Mouse]

All shrimps decemate DSB flora and infauna to some degree. Some things to include for a more accurate reply.

# of shrimps
size of DSB
any additional unpredetated DSB's in the system (i.e. refugeia)
Any additional DSB predators, i.e. Manderins, scooter blennys, Sand sifting starfish (God forbid)

IMO i wouldn't have a DSB in the main aquaria anyhow, allot of people do but i just wouldn't after a little run in i had with a pistol, a DSB and a 20G tank. But id say that if your tank was over 50 G you should be OK with one if kept well fed. 70-80G and your laughing with one shrimp.

 

[Reallybigtoad]

It's a 180G reef w/ 5in DSB and approx 200lbs of LR. The tank has been set up for about 5 years, but the DSB was added maybe 1 1/2 years ago and seeded with Live sand, fresh LR and some donations from local reefers DSB's. Only 1 banded shrimp, 1 peppermint shrimp, a few hermits (planning on getting rid of these soon), lots of misc snails, 1 serpent star, 3 cukes and 5 emerald crabs (I have a valonia problem). Fish include: 1 Coral Beauty, 1 yellow tang, 1 small Naso tang, 3 green chromis, 1 maroon clown and 2 anthias.

I've had the Banded shrimp for at least 2 years, maybe more.

I also have a refugium set up with a DSB for about 2 months.

PH is 8.0 - 8.3, Nitrate is currently around 10ppm and dropping. It usually is in the 0 - 5 PPM range. Calcium 450, KH 10, Tank is mostly softies and LPS, with a few SPS up near the top. Lighting is 800 watts of PC.

Corals are thriving, tank looks great, I'm just not seeing lots of life in the DSB so that started me wondering.

Thanks for the help.
-todd

 

[Tony Quinn]

I agree with Mouse on this one. My DSB is in a refugium and the crtiiters are multiplying in great numbers. Originally I had a CBS in this refugium and although I fed him mysis and krill the microfauna was affected. He is now the only inhabitants in a 55g invert aquarium with hard and soft corals and plenty of critters on the tank walls, live rock etc and nevers needs feeding but this tank is fed by the refuge!

 

[Reallybigtoad]

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like I should remove it. Anybody in Southern California looking to trade a Coral Banded Shrimp?

 

[SPC]

IMO, 1 CBS in a 180 is not going to do much damage to the sand bed critters, they should be able to keep their numbers up through reproduction.
Steve

 

[eddi]

It's hard to make comparisons between various tanks, but I have a 360g and I have a pair of coral banded, a pair of gold banded, a purple banded, 2 cleaners and 3 fire shrims and I have lots of life in my DSB.


Eddi