Dawn On The Reef

[BigC]

Can I ask a dumb question? I know fw crayfish will eat their carapace to help gain back nutrients from shedding it. Will sw shrimps or inverts that shed do the same thing?

I've no idea, Try posting this question in the Invert section.
Regards
BigC

 

[aaronnorth]

freshwater shrimp eat their skin so i dont see why saltwater dont.

 

[kj23502]

Can I ask a dumb question? I know fw crayfish will eat their carapace to help gain back nutrients from shedding it. Will sw shrimps or inverts that shed do the same thing?

I've no idea, Try posting this question in the Invert section.
Regards
BigC

I asked over there. Do you mind if I put the answer here? You can delete it if you want to...just thought it may be nice to have the answer here

Sometimes yes, sometimes no... It never hurts to leave the stuff in the tank if they do shed

 

[littleme1969]

Can I ask a dumb question? I know fw crayfish will eat their carapace to help gain back nutrients from shedding it. Will sw shrimps or inverts that shed do the same thing?

I've no idea, Try posting this question in the Invert section.
Regards
BigC

I asked over there. Do you mind if I put the answer here? You can delete it if you want to...just thought it may be nice to have the answer here

Sometimes yes, sometimes no... It never hurts to leave the stuff in the tank if they do shed

Having kept both I would say deffo leave it in. The shrimp if it feels the need will eat some, and other critters will finish it off. I found the youger the shrimp, the more likely it is to eat it ,so I guess the older and larger they get the less they need to recoup the nutrients

 

[BigC]

OK back on topic,
The Finger Leather is still not opening, cant really think why as all other corals are flourishing and growing apace. From the replies I've got, there seems no need to panic as this is a common trait. My Nitrates have risen slightly and I thought this was the root cause or trigger. (maybe, maybe not) People say it will come back after sheding a mucus covering (poisonous to other corals) and be as good as new. Lets hope so.
My new book arrived today from Amazon.co.uk entitled Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry and Natural History by Eric Borneman
I have just started reading and referencing this book and I can honestly say, If your interested in marine corals for your home aquarium then without a doubt this is a book to buy. Excellent layout and full of colour and discriptive text about all the corals you'll see at your LFS and then some. I bought the hardback version for a few pounds more...Well worth the £28.
Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Oh yeah BigC, great choice on the book! . Borneman is definitely one of the best resources we coral keeping hobbiests have and that book is great.

 

[BigC]

Yeah!
Finger Leather has reappeared, showing some signs of re-emergance.
Off to Leeds shortly (Mainland GB) to hunt down a few colourful Zoos and Mushroom rock. Taking a Poly-Box as hand luggage (what am I like) I'll be buying corals over there and sending them back as Royal Mail Next Day Delivery. I have to do it this way due to Airport/Airline restrictions.
Regards
BigC

 

[kj23502]

Wow, I'm just curious, whats the difference in mailing them back and taking them with you?

 

[BigC]

Wow, I'm just curious, whats the difference in mailing them back and taking them with you?

Since 9/11 there has been a whole new security clampdown on all foreign and domestic flights concerning liquids etc. Hand luggage would also be X-Rayed and I dont know if this would affect the coral. Liquids must go in your suitcase in the cargo hold (Very Cold Area) and to be honest if I got to the airport with £100 worth of corals and some jobsworth told me "You cant take them onboard this flight" then I would be well annoyed. So weighing up all possible airport senarios and for the sake of less hassle and £7.50 postage then I would rather go the Royal Mail route. I'll let you know how it all pans out when I get back.
Regards
BigC

 

[kj23502]

oh ok. Thanks!! Hope it turns out well for you

 

[SkiFletch]

Heh, yeah it's basically impossible to bring them nowadays with that stupid liquid thing. I mean seriously, am I going to set off a bomb with a clear plastic baggie full of corals? I hate the destruction of common sense for the illusion of safety but I digress.

On a side note, do you have to go through a full customs check going between Ireland and England BigC? I always wondered that...

 

[BigC]

On a side note, do you have to go through a full customs check going between Ireland and England BigC? I always wondered that...

If you mean body scans, X-Rays and frisk searches then Yes.

 

[SkiFletch]

Nah, I meant more like passport stamping and questioning...

 

[BigC]

I meant more like passport stamping and questioning

Leeds and localised Airports are usually a bit lax in that sence. They would mount more of a random pick from the crowd type of thing. I have never had my pasport stamped once when visiting European community member states only when I went to Australia did I witness full on security. London is a different kettle of fish (pun) though Armed police, sniffer dogs, passport stamping the works. I notice your comming over for a vacation, well I guess you'll have to pass through passport control etc. on your way through.
Regards
BigC

 

[BigC]

Update.
Well the package I posted to myself arrived today as planned. In it were Purple Mushroom Rock and a Trumpet Coral. That I purchased from Interfish in Ossett, West Yorks. I have split the Trumpet Coral into 3, Likewise the Mushroom Rock. Looks pretty neat (I'll post pics when Corals fully recover from the stress of the postal journey). I've also ordered some colourful Zoa frags and some Ricordea. I reckon some GSP will just about round things off for now. Today I went into my LFS for the first time since comming back from the mainland. I purchased a Scooter Blenny. (Dragonet)for £12.00... It is eating frozen brineshrimp the woman assured me. I got home from work and acclimatised all the corals and the fish, I did a 12 ltr waterchange, cleaned the sump and renewed the filter floss, I also cleaned the skimmer cup. Took me 4 hours in all, haven't even had a bite to eat yet.
I've just fed the fish, and sure enough the Scooter Blenny does indeed feed on frozen brineshrimp. So now I can relax somewhat (If there is such a word in this hobby)
I plan to make a small brineshrimp hatcher that will hang inside the sump wall tomorrow, then I can give the Blenny some live brineshrimp nauplii as well.
I will post some pics tomorrow evening.
Regards
BigC