Tip of the Day – 9/10/2013

Fish and corals aren’t the only aquarium livestock that can become infested with pests, as invertebrates can just as easily catch an unwanted bug. All of the desirable shrimp species, such as cleaner shrimp from the genus Lysmata, can play host to various isopods, which feed off the soft flesh under the shrimp’s hard carapace. Tridacnid clams and large snails are also notorious for hosting pests, primarily pyramid snails, which slowly feed off the soft tissues. As with any pest, a few here and there usually present few issues. However, when those numbers are left unchecked, the pest population could explode into large numbers and start to do some serious and very permanent damage.