Hello,
So I'm looking to put together a reef with a Gulf of Mexico/Northern Caribbean type biotope. I've read up a bit about the sort of critters you find there but have a few lingering questions. I hope somebody who's done a similar setup could offer some guidance.
The plan is for something 'authentic', within reason. No subbing in of lookalikes from other marine environments, no mixing together animals found in vastly different areas of the same environment. I really like mangroves, and being plants I know this will limit the stocking list to shallow-water species overall. I also know stony corals from these regions are protected and not available in the aquarium trade. So the restrictions start to take shape: Shallow water species (including those that are deeper water but found in the shallows from time to time), no hard corals, things you find living in close proximity to mangroves.
Maybe the challenge isn't worth it but I thought I'd give it a try.
My first question is: Does this plan even get off the ground? Do mangroves and corals and other inverts really coexist? I found this interesting article that suggests the answer is a definite yes https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/stressed-out-corals-thriving-thanks-mangroves-331113. But I'd love to have your input.
Second: What sort of fish do you like from this environment? I'm really partial to blennies and the red spot hawkfish. I like chalk bass as mid-levels. Anyone had a group of chalk bass, how did they work out?
Third: If mangroves are in the display does it still make sense to put chaeto in the refugium, or will they just compete for the same nitrates and phosphates?
Fourth: Macro algae? Which ones do you like?
Fifth: Other inverts? I know rock flower anemones and black spiny urchins live in the shallows in the Gulf of Mexico because I saw the former and got turned into a pin cushion by the latter when I was in Playa Del Carmen. Experiences with feather dusters, anemone shrimp, porcelain crabs?
Really appreciate any input!
So I'm looking to put together a reef with a Gulf of Mexico/Northern Caribbean type biotope. I've read up a bit about the sort of critters you find there but have a few lingering questions. I hope somebody who's done a similar setup could offer some guidance.
The plan is for something 'authentic', within reason. No subbing in of lookalikes from other marine environments, no mixing together animals found in vastly different areas of the same environment. I really like mangroves, and being plants I know this will limit the stocking list to shallow-water species overall. I also know stony corals from these regions are protected and not available in the aquarium trade. So the restrictions start to take shape: Shallow water species (including those that are deeper water but found in the shallows from time to time), no hard corals, things you find living in close proximity to mangroves.
Maybe the challenge isn't worth it but I thought I'd give it a try.
My first question is: Does this plan even get off the ground? Do mangroves and corals and other inverts really coexist? I found this interesting article that suggests the answer is a definite yes https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/stressed-out-corals-thriving-thanks-mangroves-331113. But I'd love to have your input.
Second: What sort of fish do you like from this environment? I'm really partial to blennies and the red spot hawkfish. I like chalk bass as mid-levels. Anyone had a group of chalk bass, how did they work out?
Third: If mangroves are in the display does it still make sense to put chaeto in the refugium, or will they just compete for the same nitrates and phosphates?
Fourth: Macro algae? Which ones do you like?
Fifth: Other inverts? I know rock flower anemones and black spiny urchins live in the shallows in the Gulf of Mexico because I saw the former and got turned into a pin cushion by the latter when I was in Playa Del Carmen. Experiences with feather dusters, anemone shrimp, porcelain crabs?
Really appreciate any input!