Aquatic Pests Turned Pets
If you find a hitchhiker, consider setting up an aquarium for it rather than destroying it.
By
Scott Caufield |
Live rock is a staple element in both reef and fish-only saltwater aquariums. It houses beneficial bacteria, and it is used as a functional waterscaping feature. It also creates many hiding spaces for fish and small crustaceans, among other marine creatures. Sometimes these “other” marine creatures are not considered desirable, and these little pests are the bane of many hobbyists. But there are some who cherish these small, unpopular hitchhikers found hiding in pieces of live rock — and they have turned them from pests to pets.
Mantis shrimp, Aiptasia anemones, bristleworms and fireworms, and decorator and gorilla crabs are some of the most commonly found nuisance animals in live rock. They are transported hundreds and even thousands of miles from their original habitat within the small crevices of live rock, only to reveal themselves as a threat to home aquarium inhabitants. While it is common practice to trap, remove and destroy these troublesome animals, some hobbyists have embraced them and created specific habitats for them.
Want to read the full story? Pick up the June 2012 issue of Aquarium Fish International today.
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Aquatic Pests Turned Pets