Tank Mate for Rainbow Crab

[wfllsj]

Hi everyone, Im kinda new to this forum so cant be sure Im posting in the right sub forum.

But anyway, I have a pair of rainbow crab and a black sand gravel which I am finding hard to clean up the unfinished food left over. I am thinking of getting an algae eater or equivalent so to kinda hope it can finish the mess and improve the gravel. Is that possible???

[Urban Aquaria]

Is the area below water or above water?

Usually the best way to feed them is to use a feeding dish, then its easier to remove excess food.

[wfllsj]

Is the area below water or above water?

Usually the best way to feed them is to use a feeding dish, then its easier to remove excess food.

Thanks for the reply.

The area is underwater. Feeding dish is a good idea except when my crabs love moving around the subtrate with the food

[Urban Aquaria]

Thanks for the reply.

The area is underwater. Feeding dish is a good idea except when my crabs love moving around the subtrate with the food

Okay, it will depend on the water volume and whether the water is filtered (which will determine how well the additional livestock live and survive in the tank)... but i guess you could try putting a few hardy shrimps (ie. cherry or malayan shrimps) or snails (ie. ramshorn or malaysian trumpet snails) to help eat the excess food.

Though at the end of the day, the rainbow crabs are opportunistic predators and may also prey on these smaller invertebrates (can consider them as live food too), so you may need to replace the clean-up crew on a regular basis.

[wfllsj]

I see. Thanks for the advice~ Another solution I am advise is to use the sludge cleaner solution which intro more micro-organism to help break down the waste matter. Still monitoring the result of that though.

[Urban Aquaria]

I see. Thanks for the advice~ Another solution I am advise is to use the sludge cleaner solution which intro more micro-organism to help break down the waste matter. Still monitoring the result of that though.

You could use those bacteria-in-a-bottle solutions, but do note that they basically accelerate the breakdown of the ammonia into nitrates, which you'll still need to remove via water changes (or using plants to soak up those excess nutrients)... otherwise the water will still become unhealthy and stinky.