A mussel Hitch hiker?

[rluix]

So, today i went to the fish store, and bought some zoanthid polyps, wen i got home, and started aclimating it, i noticed a small, mussel, attached to the zoa's rock! Are they bad for the system? what do they eat? hes about 2 cm if not lower.

Thank you for taking the time reading this.

[ToddTT]

I did a search and this was one of the hits:

Project

Salt water mussels are around 2 in. long and attach themselves to rocks or other hard ... They can eat up to ten animals a day.They can eat rabbits whole. ...
Project - Cached - Similar

[rluix]

I did a search and this was one of the hits:

Project

Salt water mussels are around 2 in. long and attach themselves to rocks or other hard ... They can eat up to ten animals a day.They can eat rabbits whole. ...
Project - Cached - Similar

What?!

[ToddTT]

Hey man, I'm just telling you what I read on the internet, so it must be true!

If I were you, I would add the rabbits to the tank one at a time to avoid ammonia spikes.

[rluix]

Hey man, I'm just telling you what I read on the internet, so it must be true!

If I were you, I would add the rabbits to the tank one at a time to avoid ammonia spikes.

Im not worried about the ammonia spikes! im worried about they're bio balls, i heard they are not good for reef's as they tend to build up nitrates.

[ToddTT]

In all seriousness, your hitchhiker was probably giving you a hint by the company he keeps.

He's probably happy with food you're already putting in your tank... if not, the leftovers and detritus.

Are you feeding several foods designated for filter feeders?

[rluix]

In all seriousness, your hitchhiker was probably giving you a hint by the company he keeps.

He's probably happy with food you're already putting in your tank... if not, the leftovers and detritus.

Are you feeding several foods designated for filter feeders?

Hmmm. i don't seem to understand what you mean, heres what happend one more time , i bought a zoanthid today, and there was a mussel in it, and no, im not feeding several filter foods, as i don't have filter feeders. Zoanthids get most of they're food from light from what i have searched.

[ToddTT]

Hmmm. i don't seem to understand what you mean, heres what happend one more time , i bought a zoanthid today, and there was a mussel in it, and no, im not feeding several filter foods, as i don't have filter feeders. Zoanthids get most of they're food from light from what i have searched.

I was assuming that your reef tank would have one or more filter feeders, so your hitchhiker would fit right in and automatically benefit.

Since this is not the case, what other inhabitants are in the tank? Are what foods are you feeding?

He'll probably survive on detritus and other floating bits, but you might have to buy food for filter feeders if you want him to thrive.

I don't have any mussels in my tank, so hopefully somebody with firsthand experience can tell you if you can save your money and skip the specialized food.

[rluix]

I was assuming that your reef tank would have one or more filter feeders, so your hitchhiker would fit right in and automatically benefit.

Since this is not the case, what other inhabitants are in the tank? Are what foods are you feeding?

He'll probably survive on detritus and other floating bits, but you might have to buy food for filter feeders if you want him to thrive.

I don't have any mussels in my tank, so hopefully somebody with firsthand experience can tell you if you can save your money and skip the specialized food.

My live stock:
1x Colt coral
1 Frag of Zoanthids
1x Oceallaris (?) Clown fish

[Steve McKay]

Most reefs are nutrient poor,the most abundant food source used is detritus.Since you have only one fish I would think about getting some food for filter feeders.Here is a link you might find interesting.Feeding Zoanthids Care Tips & Gallery at Blane Perun's TheSea.Org