Reef Tank Behaviour: Understanding Marine Invertebrates

Creating and maintaining a thriving reef tank requires more than just knowledge of water chemistry and equipment. Understanding the behaviour of marine invertebrates and how they interact with each other is crucial for fostering a peaceful and balanced environment. This guide delves into the psychology of reef tank invertebrates, providing insights into their behaviours and offering tips to help you create a harmonious reef ecosystem.

The Importance of Understanding Invertebrate Behaviour

Marine invertebrates exhibit a wide range of fascinating behaviours that can impact the overall health and harmony of your reef tank. By understanding these behaviours, you can:

• Enhance Tank Harmony: Reduce aggression and competition among tank inhabitants.
• Improve Health: Provide environments that meet the specific needs of each species.
• Increase Longevity: Ensure a longer, healthier life for your invertebrates by minimising stress.
• Optimise Breeding: Create conditions conducive to natural behaviours, including breeding.

Common Marine Invertebrates and Their Behaviours

1. Shrimp

Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)

• Behaviour: Cleaner shrimp are known for their mutualistic relationship with fish. They set up “cleaning stations” where fish come to have parasites removed.
• Interaction: Generally peaceful, but can be territorial with their own kind.
• Tip: Provide plenty of hiding spots to reduce territorial disputes.

Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera picta)

• Behaviour: These shrimp are specialised predators that feed almost exclusively on starfish.
• Interaction: Best kept as pairs, they can be aggressive towards other shrimp species.
• Tip: Ensure a steady supply of starfish to meet their dietary needs.

2. Crabs

Hermit Crabs

(Paguristes cadenati)

• Behaviour: Known for their constant search for new shells, hermit crabs are active and curious.
• Interaction: Generally peaceful, but may compete for shells.
• Tip: Provide an assortment of empty shells to reduce competition and aggression.

Emerald Crabs

(Mithraculus sculptus)

• Behaviour: Emerald crabs are excellent algae eaters and can help control unwanted algae growth.
• Interaction: Peaceful but can become territorial if not well-fed.
• Tip: Supplement their diet with algae wafers if natural algae is insufficient.

3. Starfish

Serpent Starfish (Ophiuroidea)

• Behaviour: Nocturnal and often hide during the day, emerging at night to feed.
• Interaction: Generally peaceful and beneficial for detritus cleanup.
• Tip: Provide caves and crevices for hiding and consider nocturnal feeding.

Sand Sifting Starfish (Astropecten polycanthus)

• Behaviour: These starfish burrow through the sand, helping to keep the substrate clean and aerated.
• Interaction: Peaceful and rarely interact directly with other tank inhabitants.
• Tip: Ensure a deep sand bed for natural behaviour and sufficient food availability.

4. Snails

Turbo Snails (Turbo spp.)

• Behaviour: Active grazers, Turbo snails are excellent at controlling algae.
• Interaction: Peaceful and beneficial for tank cleanliness.
• Tip: Ensure stable rockwork as they can dislodge loose rocks while grazing.

Nassarius Snails

(Nassarius spp.)

• Behaviour: Scavengers that burrow in the sand, emerging to feed on detritus and leftover food.
• Interaction: Peaceful and rarely seen during the day.
• Tip: Supplement their diet with sinking pellets if necessary.

5. Anemones

Bubble Tip Anemones (Entacmaea quadricolor)

Entacmaea_quadricolor_Bulb_Tentacle_Sea_Anemone

• Behaviour: Provide shelter for clownfish and can move around the tank to find suitable conditions.
• Interaction: Generally peaceful but can sting corals and other invertebrates if they get too close.
• Tip: Ensure stable water conditions and adequate lighting to keep them healthy and stationary.

6. Sea Cucumbers

Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber (Holothuria hilla)

• Behaviour: Detritus feeders that sift through the sand, contributing to substrate health.
• Interaction: Peaceful and beneficial for maintaining clean sand.
• Tip: Ensure a mature tank with plenty of organic matter for feeding.

Tips for Fostering a Peaceful Reef Tank Environment

1. Provide Adequate Space

Overcrowding can lead to stress and aggression among invertebrates. Ensure your tank is large enough to accommodate all inhabitants comfortably.

2. Create Natural Habitats

Mimic natural habitats by providing hiding spots, caves, and crevices. This allows invertebrates to exhibit natural behaviours and reduces territorial disputes.

3. Feed Appropriately

Ensure all invertebrates have access to sufficient food. Underfeeding can lead to competition and aggression, while overfeeding can deteriorate water quality.

4. Monitor Water Quality

Stable water parameters are crucial for reducing stress. Regularly test and maintain appropriate levels of salinity, pH, temperature, and other key parameters.

5. Observe Behaviour

Regularly observe the behaviour of your invertebrates. Sudden changes can indicate stress, illness, or environmental issues that need to be addressed.

6. Avoid Aggressive Species

Research the compatibility of species before introducing them to your tank. Avoid mixing aggressive species with more peaceful ones to prevent conflicts.

7. Quarantine New Additions

Quarantine new invertebrates before adding them to your main tank. This helps prevent the introduction of diseases and parasites that can disrupt the tank’s harmony.

Conclusion

Understanding the behaviour of marine invertebrates is key to creating a peaceful and thriving reef tank. By recognising the unique needs and interactions of different species, you can foster an environment where your invertebrates can flourish. Providing adequate space, natural habitats, appropriate feeding, and stable water conditions will contribute to a harmonious and balanced reef ecosystem, enhancing the well-being of your marine life and the beauty of your aquarium.

Reef Tank Psychology: Understanding the Behaviour of Marine Invertebrates