New arrivals - Introductions

[Dive_Master]

I have a 75 gallon reef that I will transfer to 200 gallon by the end of the year.

I have an olive brittle star in it already, but would like to add:

1. Red Serpent Star
2. Yellow Brittle Star

Are they going to live happily ever after?

Also, I have some cleaner shrimp and blood shrimp. I would like to add a coral banded shrimp. Is it a good idea? I heard that they may pick on some soft corals.

Lastly, what do you think of Electric Blue Hermit crabs?

I need some help. The books are telling me everything would be ok; however, I tend to be skeptical.

Thanks

[Penguin]

I have an electric blue hermit crab. Not a very efficient cleaner but it looks cool and doesn't bother my snails or anything else. It spends most of its time on the rocks. Reef safe IME, the only downside to it is that it seems to eat corraline algae (or at least scrapes if off the rock). If you have a good quantity of rock, one or two of these shouldn't affect your coralline crop too much.

[Joaco]

Originally posted by Dive_Master

Also, I have some cleaner shrimp and blood shrimp. I would like to add a coral banded shrimp. Is it a good idea? I heard that they may pick on some soft corals.

I wouldn't add it, personally I would fear for the other shrimps.
Coral banded shrimps (Stenopus hispidus - also known as boxing shrimp) can be aggresive towards other shrimps. I have 3 cleaner shrimps and 2 blood shrimps in a 200 gal tank.

Joaco

[Northman_with_reef]

I'm with Joaco.

my CBS killed of two blodds and one cleaner.
I find them extremly aggressive, the one i had constantly attacked everything(including me!).

I'd stay with the shrimp you have, their far more beutiful than the CBS, and much better inhabitants for a reef.