Interesting inverts for a 5.5G

[siren's eye]

My tank just finished cycling, and I'm looking for suggestions for uncommon inverts. I was thinking about bumble bee shrimp.

 

[brianjfinn]

Not a bad idea. You might could also do a squat lobster, although I'm unfamiliar with the care requirements, so you'd have to research those yourself.

Not as uncommon, but I've always loved pom pom crabs, porcelain anemone crabs, and pistol shrimp. There's a type of pistol shrimp that doesn't get over 2" or 2.5" and they don't stir up sand near as much as the larger ones, so it would be a perfect fit for a tank that size. You could also get it paired with a shrimp goby.

There's also the sexy anemone shrimp, which are pretty cool. You won't need an anemone for one.

 

[siren's eye]

I wasn't sure if pom poms were reef safe, but I think I'll get one or two now that I know they are.

 

[kirru]

siren's eye;539588 wrote: I wasn't sure if pom poms were reef safe, but I think I'll get one or two now that I know they are.

I hope they are, i have (or had) two. they may have moved on to a worse place than my tank lol but i never had problems with them bothering anything. also got two blue porcelain crabs in my 30 breeder and they are awesome..

 

[brianjfinn]

In my experience, they are the only truly unaggressive, or safe, crabs. They won't harm anything, and they have great little personalities. I've had bad experiences with emeralds and sally lightfoots, so pom poms and porcelain crabs are the only one's I'll put in a small tank.

 

[siren's eye]

I just wanted to let you know I decided to go with the pom pom crab, and a few sexy shrimps.

 

[brianjfinn]

Nice. You'll be happy. Every time you feed you'll see the pom pom run out and go nuts!

 

[weaglereefer]

So, pics? :yes:

 

[krafty]

I don't know how interesting they are to everyone else but I love Sexy Shrimp. Even my kids love to watch them move around the tank. I have a bunch in a 12 gallon and my kids like to "find the shrimp".

Rick

 

[krafty]

I would have to recommend against Emerald Crabs. My daughter one day called me over to the tank and it was pulling apart my Superman Monti frag, which was on a frag rack. Not sure how he/she got there but its never been the same since...

 

[john26]

You have to post some pictures now.

 

[siren's eye]

I was thinking of pom pom crab, sexy shrimp, and white spot anemone shrimp. Maybe a porcelain crab, but I don't know if that would be too much.

 

[siren's eye]

bpl09;555312 wrote: I love my fire shrimp. Not very uncommon but cool to watch. I'm 90% sure it ate up my peppermint shrimp though.

Does it hide all the time? I heard they were really shy.

 

[brianjfinn]

siren's eye;555318 wrote: I was thinking of pom pom crab, sexy shrimp, and white spot anemone shrimp. Maybe a porcelain crab, but I don't know if that would be too much.

In a 5.5, as long as you don't have too many other inhabitants, I don't think that should be too much. Make sure the porcelain crab is the anemone porcelain crab, not the blue porcelain. The blue ones hide most of the time.

 

[siren's eye]

I wasn't planning on any fish, just inverts. Will the porcelain crab host in a mini carpet? I was wanting one or two of those too.

 

[brianjfinn]

Just read a little about the mini carpet. Pretty neat, just make sure you do plenty of research. I'm sure the porcelain would host that nem or even any ricordea mushrooms, xenia, frogspawn, or anything with some sort of tentacle.

 

[honeyb627]

brianjfinn;539357 wrote:
Not as uncommon, but I've always loved pom pom crabs, porcelain anemone crabs, and pistol shrimp.

:yay: We absolutely love Ozzy our porcelain crab. Rick turned us onto the porcelain crabs and I'm so happy we got one. They are so entertaining to watch eat with their little "mitts" fascinating little guy.

 

[rizmaher]

Can a porcelain crab live without an host anemone? I was told then needed one.

 

[honeyb627]

rizmaher;555701 wrote: Can a porcelain crab live without an host anemone? I was told then needed one.

We don't have an anenome and he is perfectly happy and active.

 

[siren's eye]

are the purple ones OK? I might be picking one up soon.