the scary stuff

[Europhyllia]

There are so many cool animals to get to add to the tank but so much potential harm that comes with it.
And still I see lots of people taking the plunge.
So would you mind sharing what made you decide to keep them anyway?

I am going to divide them into a few groups ;)

1) Critters that have the potential to die and take the whole tank down with them (sea cucumbers, certain gorgonians, etc.)

2) Critters that have the potential to cause greater than average harm to other tank mates (anemones, etc.)

3) Critters that have the potential to cause greater than average harm to the aquarist ( certain urchins, etc.)

And please to set me straight if I am wrong in any of those assumptions!

[Mr Cob]

#1) Well, any large animal in our tanks have this potential. Anemones and Xenia too. They release a lot of toxins when they die. It’s a chance we all take at some level. I’ve never owned anything outside of the norm that would take a whole tank down immediately.

#2) I had a large carpet anemone once and knew they would eat other fish but i thought my fish were big enough...well when I walked by the tank one evening and my Scopas Tang was in it's mouth, that was it! I got rid of him. It took 5 hours to get him out of the tank because most carpets will either attach themselves on the underside of the reef or in my case... under the reef 5 inches back and under 5 inches of sand to the bottom of the glass. Basically the entire 125g reef had to be torn down just to get him out. Why did I have him in the first place...well I thought carpets were very beautiful and I didn’t think all the horror stories would apply to me and two of them ended up applying to me! LOL!

#3) I had a lionfish once before just because it was the coolest thing in the world! A beautiful fish that packed a punch. Kind of thrilling! But, that only lasted for about 3 or 4 months. I guickly grew tired of watching him every time I would go in to maintain the tank. Why did I have him in the first place… well I thought it was cool and a great conversation piece when family and friends came over. I also liked watching him eat. He grew way too fast though.

[Europhyllia]

#1) Well, any large animal in our tanks have this potential. Anemones and Xenia too. They release a lot of toxins when they die.

Wow I had no idea that Xenia had that potential!

[Mr Cob]

Yep, depending on the amount of Xenia vs/the amount of water volume. Have you ever smelled dying Xenia? It's nasty!

if they do die...it's a good idea to run carbon for a few days.

[Europhyllia]

Yep, depending on the amount of Xenia vs/the amount of water volume. Have you ever smelled dying Xenia? It's nasty!

if they do die...it's a good idea to run carbon for a few days.

I guess I can go ahead and order my gorgonians since I am already doomed anyway!

[Mr Cob]

LOL!!! You talked yourself right into that buy!

[Europhyllia]

Uhm yes. Next I'll need some good answers for #3
I love my blue and silver Tuxedo urchin and my red/black Tuxedo urchin. I'd really like to add a Diadema but I'm scared. lol

[snfkotara]

Briana also loved THE PRETTY GREEN/PURPLE CARPET oh its a small one yeah right her first week she dined on my seahorse because we couldnt wait 1 more week for her tank to be ready. Well since then she has had clowns I guess they didnt snuggle in her the right way,anthias,and a sailfin tang. We still have her but she has her own tank with her crab and the 2 sergeant majors. I was told they rarely live in captivity for long so I just couldnt get rid of her for fear she may not do so well in another home. Until now right Eve. You do still want her? lol me and my big mouth.

[Europhyllia]

LOL. That's funny. Maybe they don't live that long incaptivity because they usually don't get fed as well as at Sherry's with all that live food!

[snfkotara]

We have also had Mantis Shrimp(in their own tank) and yes they were really cool to watch, but at night they crack rock all night. And Fred wondered why I have to have all these different tanks.lol