Inverts for a 10 gal FOWLR

[jipps]

Long story short - i've come down to a 10gal FOWLR for my black and white clownfish pair (I know, it's an addiction that i've been able to control, but not kick).

As far as fish go, I know i'm stocked, and i don't want to push it because i'm going to be skimmerless. So I've decided I want to build up my diversity by going the route of fun inverts. I'd like to avoid aggression as much as possible. I plan on having at least a peppermint shrimp, a skunk cleaner (or maybe a pair?), and maybe even a blood red, unless they act as cleaners as well? but possibly not. I think i'd like EITHER a pair of skunks or a pair of blood reds. I really enjoy the animal behavior and i love the idea of having pairs of species in the tank. i ESPECIALLY love the idea of reproduction. I'm hoping soon my clowns will start mating or laying eggs or something because the one has certainly claimed dominance and is about 1.5-2 times the size of the other.

I have about 6 scarlet leg hermits and 4 margarita snails. I was also thinking about maybe adding an emerald crab - but i don't know if they're just algae feeders. I don't want to load up on algae eaters and then have them all die out on me because they work too well.

I'd also like some detritus eaters!

So i'm looking for suggestions on inverts for my 10g! And i'm NOT looking to spend a lot of money, just basics.

[Petunia]

Remember that the inverts also poop.
I'd stick with a peppermint shrimp, emerald crab, snails, and hermits - they are all cleaners. IMO

[jipps]

Well keep in mind I do daily top-off's and 3 gal water changes every week including siphoning.

Would a starfish be viable? I'm looking for things that are hardy, but interesting to see as well.

[jipps]

I'm just lookin to add a little more life to the tank without buying corals because I don't want any corals.

[skeety]

Definitely can get a cleaner skunk, or even a scarlet shrimp. The scarlet's are prettier, but the cleaner's have WAY more personality.

As far as a pair...in a 10G? might be pushing it.

As far as emerald crabs? Don't have any experience with them myself...but I've heard they can be iffy. Might behave...but might kill a fish in it's sleep too. Never know.

Dont' wanna be the bearer of bad news...but in a 10G, the two fish, hermits, and one cleaner shrimp might be your limit.

why not up it to a 20G or 30g? you can get a 20g for like $15-$20 at most LFS. (almost the price of another critter!)

Wait for others to chime in too...maybe someone else has some idea's.

[jipps]

Eh - the point of this whole thing was to keep it small - just something cheap that i can keep on my desk that can keep me goin in SW.

I'm either gonna get a Skunk or a Peppermint. I'd like a peppermint to eat my aiptasia. I like that the shrimp will clean up the food that the fish don't eat.

I'd also like at least 1 or 2 cerith snails to handle some detritus.

I think that may be it i guess? I didn't really think hermits and snails added much of a bioload.

[skeety]

it's really not the hermits and snails. it's really the 2 fish that are your limiting factor...as well as the size of the tank itself.

I'd thought of recommending an urchin, or star, anemone, or some other unusual invert like that...but they'd VERY quickly outgrow a 10g.

Now if you up'ed it to a 20? Might be doable...but there aren't many inverts that are small enough for a 10, other than crabs...and they can be risky.

[jipps]

I was really thinking along the lines of stars, crabs, and snails.

The main point of this tank was the clownfish pair. And I was trying to go and small and cheap as possible while still safely housing the clowns.

I think I am going to get a turbo, 2 or 3 cerith, and a peppermint for now.

Are peppermints cleaners? I'd also like them to eat my aptasia.

[ChrisPrusha]

Peppermints are hit or miss with both cleaning and aiptasia eating.

[jipps]

Lovely!...


Oh well, worth a shot.