[reefhead]

what are the scientific names of these guys?

will they benefit from DT's?

will they consume to much of my sandbed infauna?

( I caught my Wardley Wrasse and traded it in for these guys + a spiny cuke)
thanks,
joe

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My Reef Tank
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[This message has been edited by reefhead (edited 05-07-2001).]

[Ninong]

Originally posted by reefhead:

what are the scientific names of these guys?

Flame scallop = Lima scabra--it's really not a scallop, they just call it that. It's a free-roaming file clam. It's a filterer that feeds on microscopic phytoplankton and bacterioplankton. Be sure to watch it and remove it quickly if it should die to avoid problems.

Feather duster = hmmm... lots of choices: Sabella microphthalma, S. melanostigma, Hypsicomus phaetothaenia, Megalomma vesiculatum, M. binoculatum, Hydroides longispinosa, H. exaltatus, Serpula vermicularia, Protula magnifica, Bispira brunna, y mucho mas! They are all filterers feeding on almost anything depending on their size: bacterioplankton, phytoplankton, zooplankton, detritus, whatever happens by.

will they benefit from DT's?

Yes, I would think so.

will they consume to much of my sandbed infauna?

I don't know if the Lima scabra would consume any of your sandbed infauna. As for the feather dusters, if anything swims into their tentacles that they can handle, I'm sure they will try to eat it. I would say that they would have virtually no detrimental impact on your sandbed.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]



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Irrational Exuberance!

[reefhead]

the duster is a typical one i believe, it has a brown and white crown.It is also admitting alot of mucus, is that stuff bad? The mucus is all over the tank,could my red serpent star be eating at its tail section and causing some irritation?

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My Reef Tank
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[This message has been edited by reefhead (edited 05-07-2001).]

[Ninong]

Originally posted by reefhead:

the duster is a typical one i believe, it has a brown and white crown.

Probably a Sabellid from Hawaii.

It is also admitting alot of mucus, is that stuff bad?

Just more protein for the tank.

The mucus is all over the tank,could my red serpent star be eating at its tail section and causing some irritation?

I dunno. Does it look that way?

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]



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Irrational Exuberance!

[reefhead]

no, it doesnt appear that way. Just curious!

Ninong, do you know of a site or article refering to dusters?

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My Reef Tank
:fish:

[FMarini]

HI:
more reading for your knowledge. Bottom line... flame scallops are difficult to keep long term, and featherduster do best when fed frequently, you can make a mixture of DTs and the brineshrimpdirect.com cyropastes
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin...?threadid=6585
feather duster info http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin...threadid=18490 http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin...threadid=21157 http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin...threadid=17690
hope this helps
frank

[This message has been edited by FMarini (edited 05-08-2001).]

[Ninong]

Originally posted by reefhead:

Ninong, do you know of a site or article refering to dusters?

No, not really. But you can always start with Bob Fenner's site, Wet Web Media: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/feather.htm

That's usually a good place to start for some general information on most aquarium topics. Another trick is to simply enter the correct scientific name of the species in your browser's search engine. For example, I entered Sapellidae, the name of one of the families, and got a few hits that were uninteresting--this time. Also, there is a whole bunch of info on the University of Hawaii's site on anything to do with marine life. Same can be said for the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the Victoria Museum.

I also have www.coralrealm.com but that costs $29.95/year membership dues. If you can't find what you're looking for on www.wetwebmedia.com or www.fishbase.org then just enter the scientific name in any search engine, and if you don't know the correct spelling of the scientific name, just enter the common name and cross your fingers.

Ninong [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!