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Name:
Turbo snail,
Turbo
spp.
Origin:
Mexico
Size:
5 cm/2”
Minimum tank size:
30 l/6.6 gal
Comments:
Turbo snails are used
to control algae in reef tanks. You
can add as many as one per gallon
of water and they will graze on all
algae surfaces including the glass.
“Turbo snail” is a name given to
several species of reef-safe marine
snail including species from the
genus
Astrea
.
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Name:
Dwarf red leg hermit
crab,
Clibanarius digueti
Origin:
Mexico
Size:
2.5 cm/1”
Minimum tank size:
30 l/6.6 gal
Comments:
Hermit crabs are often
referred to (along with snails)
as reef janitors and are added to
tanks to clear up uneaten food
and help control algae. Make sure
they have spare shells to move
into as they grow. Don’t confuse
the dwarves with other hermits
as large hermit crabs are not reef
friendly.
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Name:
Polyp colony,
Zoanthus
spp.
Origin:
Indonesia
Lighting requirements:
Moderate
Water flow:
Moderate
Comments:
Polyp colonies come in all shapes and sizes, and are
usually attached to a lump of live rock. If they spread, the effect can look
spectacular with every surface of the reef living and moving. Make sure they
are not covered over by other corals or growths of macroalgae.
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Name:
Bubble coral,
Plerogyra sinuosa
Origin:
Indo-Pacific
Lighting requirements:
Low to moderate
Water flow:
Low to moderate
Comments:
Bubble corals are one of the easiest ‘hard’ corals to
keep and don’t need lots of light or lots of flow. They have quite
powerful stinger tentacles, so don’t place them too close to other
corals. They appreciate regular feeds of small frozen foods.