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herbivore
Astrea Snail
$ 3.49
How to Care for Astrea Snail
written by Dave Burr
Astrea Snails are very effective at controlling the growth of undesirable algae in aquariums. They are a good choice to combat cyanobacteria and diatom algae. Astrea Snails can even help to control nussiance hair algae. They will scavenge the rocks and aquarium glass.
Feeding: If no algae is present in the aquarium you may supplement the Astrea Snails diet with live macro algae or dried seaweed (nori).
Growth: Maintaining proper Ca, Alk, & Mg levels is important for growth of their shells.
Tip: Don't forget about your water parameters when combating algae blooms. Water chemistry is every bit as important as a good clean-up crew.
Care Level: Easy
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Herbivore
Range: Circumtropical
Family: Astraeinae
Water Conditions: 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, Phosphates, < .10ppm
Water Chemistry: It is important that proper calcium (420-440 ppm), alkalinity (8-9.5 dkh - run it 7-8 if you are carbon dosing) , and magnesium levels (1260-1350 ppm) are maintained. Raising magnesium levels gradually up to 1400-1600 ppm can help to combat algae outbreaks, just keep CA and Alk in line as you raise the Mg. Nitrates should be below 10 ppm and phosphates should be below .10 ppm. We recommend doing a water change when Nitrate levels rise to 10 ppm. It is important to replace your phosphate media when phosphates rise to .10 ppm. Media Reactors make the most efficient use of your phosphate media by fluidizing it.
Dosing: Vivid Aquariums uses and recommends dosing pumps to automate the dosing of additives and keep your levels more constant. A dosing pump can alleviate the chore of manually dosing your aquarium with Ca, Alk, & Mg 2,3, or 4 times per week and will benefit your aquarium by keeping your levels constant through frequent small additions of Ca, Alk, & Mg. Our tanks all progressed when we switched from 3 manual dosings per week to 70 automatic dosings per week and we got a lot more work done.
Black Longspine Urchin
$ 29.99
How to Care for Black Longspine Urchin
written by Dave Burr
The Black Longspine Urchin is especially useful in reef aquariums because it will eat unsightly Green Hair Algae.
Behavior: The Black Longspine Urchin is also useful for controlling algae in aquariums containing aggressive fish that may eat other invertebrates. They are nocturnal and spend the night grazing while the fish sleep. When they feel threatened by a fish they will actually point their spines at the fish to protect themselves.
Venom: The Black Longspine Urchin is venomous so be careful not to get poked. The sting is similar to a bee sting.
Feeding: If no algae is present in the aquarium you may supplement the Black Longspine urchin's diet with live macro algae and dried seaweed (nori).
Tip: Don't forget about your water parameters when combating algae blooms. Water chemistry is every bit as important as a good clean-up crew.
Care Level: Easy
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Herbivore
Range: Indonesia, Fiji, Caribbean
Family: Diadematidae
Water Conditions: 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, Phosphates < .10ppm
Water Chemistry: It is important that proper calcium (420-440 ppm), alkalinity (8-9.5 dkh - run it 7-8 if you are carbon dosing) , and magnesium levels (1260-1350 ppm) are maintained. Raising magnesium levels gradually up to 1400-1600 ppm can help to combat algae outbreaks, just keep CA and Alk in line as you raise the Mg. Nitrates should be below 10 ppm and phosphates should be below .10 ppm. We recommend doing a water change when Nitrate levels rise to 10 ppm. It is important to replace your phosphate media when phosphates rise to .10 ppm. Media Reactors make the most efficient use of your phosphate media by fluidizing it.
Dosing: Vivid Aquariums uses and recommends dosing pumps to automate the dosing of additives and keep your levels more constant. A dosing pump can alleviate the chore of manually dosing your aquarium with Ca, Alk, & Mg 2,3, or 4 times per week and will benefit your aquarium by keeping your levels constant through frequent small additions of Ca, Alk, & Mg. Our tanks all progressed when we switched from 3 manual dosings per week to 70 automatic dosings per week and we got a lot more work done.
Blue Tuxedo Urchin
Sold Out - $ 34.99
How to Care for Blue Tuxedo Urchin
written by Dave Burr
The Blue Tuxedo Urchin is especially useful in reef aquariums because it will eat unsightly Green Hair Algae. At the same time it is one of the more attractive urchins.
Behavior: The Blue Tuxedo Urchin is nocturnal and spends the night grazing while fish sleep. It will not hurt corals or invertebrates. The Blue Tuxedo Urchin will pick up bits of substrate, loose mushrooms or polyps, or scraps of algae and camouflage itself with them. This is a sign that it is happy and healthy.
Feeding: If no algae is present in the aquarium you may supplement the Blue Tuxedo Urchin's diet with live macro algae and dried seaweed (nori).
Tip: Don't forget about your water parameters when combating algae blooms. Water chemistry is every bit as important as a good clean-up crew.
Care Level: Easy
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Herbivore
Range: Indo-Pacific
Family: Temnopleuridae
Water Conditions: 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, Phosphates < .10ppm
Water Chemistry: It is important that proper calcium (420-440 ppm), alkalinity (8-9.5 dkh - run it 7-8 if you are carbon dosing) , and magnesium levels (1260-1350 ppm) are maintained. Raising magnesium levels gradually up to 1400-1600 ppm can help to combat algae outbreaks, just keep CA and Alk in line as you raise the Mg. Nitrates should be below 10 ppm and phosphates should be below .10 ppm. We recommend doing a water change when Nitrate levels rise to 10 ppm. It is important to replace your phosphate media when phosphates rise to .10 ppm. Media Reactors make the most efficient use of your phosphate media by fluidizing it.
Dosing: Vivid Aquariums uses and recommends dosing pumps to automate the dosing of additives and keep your levels more constant. A dosing pump can alleviate the chore of manually dosing your aquarium with Ca, Alk, & Mg 2,3, or 4 times per week and will benefit your aquarium by keeping your levels constant through frequent small additions of Ca, Alk, & Mg. Our tanks all progressed when we switched from 3 manual dosings per week to 70 automatic dosings per week and we got a lot more work done.
Electric Blue Hermit Crab
Sold Out - $ 11.99
How to Care for Electric Blue Hermit Crab
written by Dave Burr
The Electric Blue Hermit Crab is a superb algae eater, and will even eat filamentous algae and cyanobacteria. It is very useful in keeping reef aquariums clean and free of undesirable algae.
Growth: As they grow they will need larger shells to take the place of the shell they outgrew. Place several old snail shells in the aquarium where the hermit crabs can get to them when the time comes to move to a larger shell. Maintaining proper Ca, Alk, & Mg levels is important for growth of their shells.
Feeding: If no algae is present in the aquarium you may supplement the Electric Blue Hermit Crabs' diet with live macro algae, dried seaweed (nori), and mysis shrimp.
Tip: Don't forget about your water parameters when combating algae blooms. Water chemistry is every bit as important as a good clean-up crew.
Care Level: Easy
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Herbivore, Omnivore
Range: Indo-Pacific
Family: Diogenidae
Water Conditions: 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, Phosphates < .10ppm
Water Chemistry: It is important that proper calcium (420-440 ppm), alkalinity (8-9.5 dkh - run it 7-8 if you are carbon dosing) , and magnesium levels (1260-1350 ppm) are maintained. Raising magnesium levels gradually up to 1400-1600 ppm can help to combat algae outbreaks, just keep CA and Alk in line as you raise the Mg. Nitrates should be below 10 ppm and phosphates should be below .10 ppm. We recommend doing a water change when Nitrate levels rise to 10 ppm. It is important to replace your phosphate media when phosphates rise to .10 ppm. Media Reactors make the most efficient use of your phosphate media by fluidizing it.
Dosing: Vivid Aquariums uses and recommends dosing pumps to automate the dosing of additives and keep your levels more constant. A dosing pump can alleviate the chore of manually dosing your aquarium with Ca, Alk, & Mg 2,3, or 4 times per week and will benefit your aquarium by keeping your levels constant through frequent small additions of Ca, Alk, & Mg. Our tanks all progressed when we switched from 3 manual dosings per week to 70 automatic dosings per week and we got a lot more work done.
Video
Lettuce Nudibranch
Sold Out - $ 18.99
How to Care for Lettuce Nudibranch
written by Dave Burr
The Lettuce Nudibranch will forage for algae throughout the aquarium. It gains energy through photosynthesis and through the algae it eats.
Feeding: If no algae is present in the aquarium you may supplement the Lettuce Nudibranchs' diet with live macro algae or dried seaweed (nori).
Protection: Overflows and pump intakes can harm the Lettuce Nudibranch. Use plastic mesh of filter material to protect it from those areas.
Tip: Don't forget about your water parameters when combating algae blooms. Water chemistry is every bit as important as a good clean-up crew.
Care Level: Easy
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Herbivore
Range: Indo-Pacific
Family: Elysidae
Water Conditions: 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, Phosphates < .10ppm
Water Chemistry: It is important that proper calcium (420-440 ppm), alkalinity (8-9.5 dkh - run it 7-8 if you are carbon dosing) , and magnesium levels (1260-1350 ppm) are maintained. Raising magnesium levels gradually up to 1400-1600 ppm can help to combat algae outbreaks, just keep CA and Alk in line as you raise the Mg. Nitrates should be below 10 ppm and phosphates should be below .10 ppm. We recommend doing a water change when Nitrate levels rise to 10 ppm. It is important to replace your phosphate media when phosphates rise to .10 ppm. Media Reactors make the most efficient use of your phosphate media by fluidizing it.
Dosing: Vivid Aquariums uses and recommends dosing pumps to automate the dosing of additives and keep your levels more constant. A dosing pump can alleviate the chore of manually dosing your aquarium with Ca, Alk, & Mg 2,3, or 4 times per week and will benefit your aquarium by keeping your levels constant through frequent small additions of Ca, Alk, & Mg. Our tanks all progressed when we switched from 3 manual dosings per week to 70 automatic dosings per week and we got a lot more work done.
Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab
$ 6.99 $ 6.99
How to Care for Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab
written by Dave Burr
The Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab is a superb algae eater, and will even eat filamentous algae and cyanobacteria. It is very useful in keeping reef aquariums clean and free of undesirable algae.
Growth: As the Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab grows they will need larger shells to take the place of the shell they outgrew. Place several old snail shells in the aquarium where the Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab can get to them when the time comes to move to a larger shell.
Feeding: If no algae is present in the aquarium you may supplement the Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs' diet with live macro algae, dried seaweed (nori), and mysis shrimp.
Tip: Don't forget about your water parameters when combating algae blooms. Water chemistry is every bit as important as a good clean-up crew.
Care Level: Easy
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Herbivore, Omnivore
Range: Indo-Pacific
Family: Diogenidae
Water Conditions: 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, Phosphates < .10ppm
Water Chemistry: It is important that proper calcium (420-440 ppm), alkalinity (8-9.5 dkh - run it 7-8 if you are carbon dosing) , and magnesium levels (1260-1350 ppm) are maintained. Raising magnesium levels gradually up to 1400-1600 ppm can help to combat algae outbreaks, just keep CA and Alk in line as you raise the Mg. Nitrates should be below 10 ppm and phosphates should be below .10 ppm. We recommend doing a water change when Nitrate levels rise to 10 ppm. It is important to replace your phosphate media when phosphates rise to .10 ppm. Media Reactors make the most efficient use of your phosphate media by fluidizing it.
Dosing: Vivid Aquariums uses and recommends dosing pumps to automate the dosing of additives and keep your levels more constant. A dosing pump can alleviate the chore of manually dosing your aquarium with Ca, Alk, & Mg 2,3, or 4 times per week and will benefit your aquarium by keeping your levels constant through frequent small additions of Ca, Alk, & Mg. Our tanks all progressed when we switched from 3 manual dosings per week to 70 automatic dosings per week and we got a lot more work done.
Trochus Snail
Sold Out - $ 5.99
How to Care for Trochus Snail
written by Dave Burr
Trochus Snails are very effective at controlling the growth of undesirable algae in aquariums. They will eat algae off of the rocks and aquarium glass. They are one of the better snails when it comes to flipping themselves back over after a fall.
Feeding: If no algae is present in the aquarium you may supplement the Trochus Snails' diet with live macro algae or dried seaweed (nori).
Growth: Maintaining proper Ca, Alk, & Mg levels is important for growth of their shells.
Tip: Don't forget about your water parameters when combating algae blooms. Water chemistry is every bit as important as a good clean-up crew.
Care Level: Easy
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Herbivore
Range: Indonesia
Family: Trochidae
Water Conditions: 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, Phosphates < .10ppm
Water Chemistry: It is important that proper calcium (420-440 ppm), alkalinity (8-9.5 dkh - run it 7-8 if you are carbon dosing) , and magnesium levels (1260-1350 ppm) are maintained. Raising magnesium levels gradually up to 1400-1600 ppm can help to combat algae outbreaks, just keep CA and Alk in line as you raise the Mg. Nitrates should be below 10 ppm and phosphates should be below .10 ppm. We recommend doing a water change when Nitrate levels rise to 10 ppm. It is important to replace your phosphate media when phosphates rise to .10 ppm. Media Reactors make the most efficient use of your phosphate media by fluidizing it.
Dosing: Vivid Aquariums uses and recommends dosing pumps to automate the dosing of additives and keep your levels more constant. A dosing pump can alleviate the chore of manually dosing your aquarium with Ca, Alk, & Mg 2,3, or 4 times per week and will benefit your aquarium by keeping your levels constant through frequent small additions of Ca, Alk, & Mg. Our tanks all progressed when we switched from 3 manual dosings per week to 70 automatic dosings per week and we got a lot more work done.
Turbo Grazer Snail
$ 3.49
How to Care for Turbo Grazer Snail
written by Dave Burr
Turbo Snails are very effective at controlling the growth of undesirable algae in aquariums. They will eat algae off of the rocks and aquarium glass.
Feeding: If no algae is present in the aquarium you may supplement the Astrea Snails diet with live macro algae or dried seaweed (nori).
Growth: Maintaining proper Ca, Alk, & Mg levels is important for growth of their shells.
Don't forget about your water parameters when combating algae blooms. Water chemistry is every bit as important as a good clean-up crew.
Care Level: Easy
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Herbivore
Range: Mexico
Family: Turbinidae
Water Conditions: 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, Phosphates, < .10ppm
Water Chemistry:
It is important that proper calcium (420-440 ppm), alkalinity (8-9.5 dkh - run it 7-8 if you are carbon dosing) , and magnesium levels (1260-1350 ppm) are maintained. Raising magnesium levels gradually up to 1400-1600 ppm can help to combat algae outbreaks, just keep CA and Alk in line as you raise the Mg. Nitrates should be below 10 ppm and phosphates should be below .10 ppm. We recommend doing a water change when Nitrate levels rise to 10 ppm. It is important to replace your phosphate media when phosphates rise to .10 ppm. Media Reactors make the most efficient use of your phosphate media by fluidizing it.
Dosing: Vivid Aquariums uses and recommends dosing pumps to automate the dosing of additives and keep your levels more constant. A dosing pump can alleviate the chore of manually dosing your aquarium with Ca, Alk, & Mg 2,3, or 4 times per week and will benefit your aquarium by keeping your levels constant through frequent small additions of Ca, Alk, & Mg. Our tanks all progressed when we switched from 3 manual dosings per week to 70 automatic dosings per week and we got a lot more work done.
Virgate Rabbitfish
Sold Out - $ 49.99
How to Care for Virgate Rabbitfish
written by Dave Burr
Behavior: The Virgate Rabbitfish is a very hardy fish and thus a good choice for a newly established aquarium. Best kept singly, although pairs or small groups may be kept in aquariums of 120 gallons or more. This peaceful fish can thrive in either peaceful community tanks or aggressive predator tanks. It has venomous spines, which it can raise to ward off aggressive tank-mates.
Virgate Rabbitfish will eat a wide range of desirable and undesirable algae, and should not bother corals, provided they are well fed. They are not a threat to invertebrates or clams. If underfed they may pick on soft and LPS corals.
CAUTION! All Foxface have venomous spines and should be handled with caution. Use a scoop or specimen container instead of a net since their spines may get stuck in the net.
Feeding: The Virgate Rabbitfish will graze over the live rock in the aquarium eating algae. You can supplement its diet with live macro algae, such as Macro Feast, and dry seaweed 2-3 times per week. Try using a rubber-band to attach the algae to a small rock or pvc pipe and place it in the sand bed.
Hint: Ruber-banding algae to bit of tonga branch rock looks the most natural and will stay in place the best.
Soaking all fish food (even algae) with vitamins will help keep your fish healthier and make them less susceptible to disease. We recommend soaking food in garlic as well when adding new fish and whenever your notice ich or other disease in the aquarium. Garlic will help repel external parasites and will boost the fishes immunity.
Feeding Tips: Remember to feed slowly. Leftover food will cause nitrates and phosphates to rise. If you see food falling to the sand bed and into the rocks, you should feed slower and give the fish a chance to eat before adding a little more. Using a turkey baster allows you to target food to different fish. For example you can feed the aggressive fish on one side of the tank and then squirt a little bit on the other side for the less aggressive fish. This way all the fish get a chance to eat enough.
Maximum Length: 11"
Care Level: Moderate
Family: Siganidae
Reef Compatibility: Add with caution
Minimum Aquarium Size: 90 gal.
Range: Fiji, Indo Pacific
Diet: Herbivore
Water Conditions: 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, Phosphates, < .10ppm
Water Chemistry: Maintaining Ammonia at 0 ppm, Nitrites at 0 ppm, and Nitrates below 10ppm will help to keep your Virgate Rabbitfish happy and healthy. We recommend doing a water change soon after Nitrates rise above 10 ppm. Maintaining proper calcium (420-440 ppm), alkalinity (8-9.5 dkh - run it 7-8 if you are carbon dosing), and magnesium levels (1260-1350 ppm) will help to keep pH stable in the 8.1-8.4 range. We recommend a specific gravity of 1.024-1.026 with 1.025 being ideal for fish. Temperature should remain stable as well and should stay within a 2 degree range.