Is this too much for a CuC?

wartooth1

Member
Hey all,
So the other day a friend of mine recommended I go check out this LFS that I haven't been too before and when I arrived I really liked what I saw. Lots of healthy looking fish, some nice inverts that I haven't seen other stores carry, and a great selection of corals in all sizes. Anyway, I got to talking with the manager, and he seems like he's more in love with the hobby than selling me product (although I did buy some coral suppliments from him). But anyway, he asked me about my tank and what I had for a CuC. I told him about my 40 gallon tank, and how for CuC it currently has 2 Turbo Snails, about a dozen hermit crabs, a Cleaner Shrimp, a Tuxuito Urchin (for algae) and an Arrow Crab (even though I only have the Arrow because I think its an awesome invert to look at, but he cleans well too so I count him as part of my CuC).
He then advised me that I currently don't have enough in my CuC, even though I haven't had any problems with my tank's overall cleanliness yet. He wrote me a list of what he recommends I add over time as my tank matures as I add more corals and fish etc... This is his list:
12 Mexican Turbo Snails
18 Trochus Striped Snails
24 Blue Legged Hermit Crabs
12 Scarlet Hermit Crabs
4 Emerald Crabs
2 Diamond Gobies
2 Sand Sifting Stars
So its basically that plus what I have already. The guy seems really sincere but I just thought this is a bit much for a 40 gallon? Also, I'm not too fond of the Turbos I have in the tank already. Sure, they are great at keeping my glass cleaned, but they knock over my corals a lot lol... and 12 of them would be a disaster!
If you guys think this is an ok sized CuC then the only problems I have with this is I would like ot know what a good alternative to the Turbo Snails would be and I'm not sure if my sand is deep enough for 2 Sand Stars (my sand is about 2 inches deep), so maybe an alternative to those. Other than that I'm ok with the hermits.
Anyway... I just thought I'd run this by the community and see what you're opinions are.
Thanks! :)
 

slice

Active Member
What?!? This guy running some kind of clearance sale?!?
12 Mex Turbos in a 40G?!? Thats insane.
I would say 2 MAX and even then, switch them out for smaller ones every few months. I have had 2 at a time in my 47G and that was almost too many, I have none right now. I will only add them back in times of GHA emergency.
Scratch the crabs, period. Only 2 emeralds if you just have to have them (I've had a couple and they are kinda cool for a while until they get mean).
Can't comment on the Gobies, but I *think* you will be advised to scratch sand sifters entirely.
Trochus Snails are the bomb, 18 might be a bit much. Half that # and add back in a few Astrea Snails.
You also need a few Nassarius Snails in the mix, say 8-10, depending on how much open sand areas you have.
 

wartooth1

Member
haha Slice that was my thought exactly when he said 12 Turbos!
Regarding the hermits, even though I understand the general opinion of hermits is not very great, I do personally like to watch them in the tank. So, if I were to get some blue legged and scarlet hermits, what would the recommended number be? I think 24 and 12 is a bit much... I'm thinking maybe 10 and 10?
From what I understand the Diamond Goby likes to dig in sand for food, so he's basically a sand sifter/detrius eater. That and the look pretty cool.
Right on for the snails... I was thinking of a handul of Nassarius snails would make a good alternate for the sand stars.
 
S

saxman

Guest
Sheesh...you must have the biggest 40 gal in the world for that kind of recommendation!
Here's a better idea:
[strike]12 Mexican Turbo Snails
As mentioned, these are only if you have a HA problem, and then only MAYBE 2 of them.
[strike]18 Trochus Striped Snails
That's fine if you only want Trochus...but I'd go with 6 to start.
[strike]24 Blue Legged Hermit Crabs
Destructive and will eat your snails just for food, not their shells.
[strike]12 [/strike]Scarlet Hermit Crabs
Good hermits (the best, IME). Add 4 at the most.
4 Emerald Crabs[/strike]
Get big and can be destructive. Need to be fed on a supplemental basis with nori, macro, etc. Only one if you must...
2 Diamond Gobies[/strike]
Your tank can't support even a single specimen unless it eats prepared food.
2 Sand Sifting Stars[/strike]
Your tank can't support even a single specimen.
What you should add are another dozen algae snails (if your tank is mature, half of that if newly-cycled)...mix up these species:
Cerith, Nerite, Astrea
I'd add 2 or 3 Nassarius
snails for carrion/detritus control.
Instead of crabs, you could add about 3-4 true peppermint shrimp, or you can bump the hermits down by a couple and go 2 and 2.
You need to start slowly and see which CUC critters you like, and which ones do well for you and like your tank, then adjust as needed. All a huge CUC will do is compete for food and starve back to what your tank can support anyhow, so why waste money getting a huge CUC before you know what you really need?
 

meowzer

Moderator
+1 with SAXMAN.......I have a few scarlet hermits in my tanks, and they are the most peaceful....the others I will get rid of when I get an opportunity....monstrous snail eaters they are
 

wartooth1

Member
Well I did a little CuC hunting today... I came home with 5 Astreas, 4 Nassarius, 2 Emeralds Crabs, and a Fighting Conch. I think between those and what I have already, I'm set as far as CuC goes :)
 

java1

Member

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