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You are here: Home / Saltwater Aquariums / Livestock Management / Unique Symbiotic Relationships
A symbiotic Relationship

Unique Symbiotic Relationships

by greg.chernoff

It seems like every beginner aquarists’ dream nowadays. They set up the tank, cycle it, and want a pair of clownfish to start out with that they can eventually introduce an anemone to. Many time, the clowns don’t recognize their new home and refuse to be hosted by the anemone addition, leaving their owners confused, frustrated, and often disappointed. Wanting a symbiotic relationship in their tanks, a lot of people turn to goby and pistol shrimp pairs next and completely forget about other relationship-forming reef inverts. Aside from the occasional grumpy pistol shrimp that decides to rebel and eat a few snails or tank mates, this symbiotic relationship is typically much more successful than the clownfish and anemone trials. But, what if you want something more unique, even exotic? Some other pairings are quite easy to establish in tanks, and these mutualisms can encourage strange or interesting behaviors that we wouldn’t see otherwise.

Anemone Crabs and Anemones

Anemone Crabs are small white and brown crabs that aren’t aggressive towards anyone unless protecting their territory. Even then, they are more likely to flee than to fight. Because of this, I think these little guys are great additions to every tank with anemones. Cleaning their host and filter feeding with their fans provides them with enough food. I have kept them with Bubble Tips, Long Tentacles, Maxi Mini Carpets, and Rock Flowers. The anemone provides food, shelter, and some protection to this symbiotic relationship while the crab provides a cleaning service and defends against predators who try to harm their host. Both benefit from this relationship, and it can be very interesting to watch!New blog post (%TITLE%) has been published on The Algae Lab – %URL%

Anemone Shrimp with Anemones and Cucumbers

The White Spotted Anemone Shrimp is a small, mostly transparent shrimp with white spots on the body and orange marks on their tail. They coat themselves in mucus from their host anemone that makes them immune to their stings. If an anemone isn’t available, they will oftentimes be hosted by sea cucumbers, mushrooms, or other corals. Sharing meals with their host, they provide a cleaning service and protection and receive protection from shrimp eating fish in return (much like Anemone Crabs).

Damsels and Anemones or Corals

Believe it or not, a few damsel species will also accept host anemones. Specifically, Domino Damsels are the most likely to be hosted, but many report Three Stripes also take residence in their anemones. These two species tend to prefer Bubble Tip Anemones, but also take to Carpet, Magnificent, and Long Tentacle Anemones. Yellowtail, Azure, and the previously mentioned damsels (and others) can also be hosted by coral itself. Most commonly, they are found in Pocillopora, Montipora, Acropora, and other SPS corals. Studies have also shown that this symbiotic relationship increases the photosynthetic rates of the host, among other benefits. So, these little fish can be great additions to SPS heavy reef tanks!

Bangaii Cardinals with Long Spine Urchins

In the wild, baby cardinalfish fall prey to numerous predators. To combat this, they have developed a relationship with Long Spine Urchins. After the young leave their father’s mouth, many will find Long Spine Urchins and hide among the sharp spines, out of reach from predators. Their black stripes help them blend in with the urchin, and sharp venomous spines keep predators away. This fish is very easy to breed in home aquariums, and adding one of these urchins can add a new, exciting element to the mix! In addition to providing refuge for fry, this great reef invert will help keep your tank clean of unwanted algae. I have even witnessed adult Bangaiis attempting to live within the spikes of these urchins in the home aquarium.

Pom Pom Crabs and Their Anemones

Pom Pom Crabs are small crustaceans that are pink, white, and tan in color. Their bodies almost look like a stained glass window, as they have patches of different colors outlined in black all over their carapace. In each front claw, the crab carries a small anemone. In doing so, the crab can use the anemones to capture tiny prey, pick up food particles, and defend itself from predators by stinging them. In turn, the anemone receives little bits of food, and may be propagated by the crab. If no anemone is available, the crab may use coral polyps or sponges in their place until their natural partner can be found.

Hermit Crabs and Anemones

A few species of larger hermit crabs in the Dardanus genus have developed symbiotic relationships with anemones. Camouflage, protection from predators, and food sharing are all benefits the crab receives, and the anemone gets food and transportation. When the hermit outgrows its shell, they either leave the anemone on the old shell for another crab to use, or transfer them to their new shell. The one drawback to this pair is that they are not reef safe, and the hermits are aggressive. But, they can make beautiful additions to the clean up crew of larger predator tanks!

Trapezia Crabs with SPS

Trapezia Crabs are small and vary in color tremendously, ranging from purple to red to white to polka dotted. Unfortunately, I have witnessed many killed by reefers who dip their coral in iodine before inspecting, or simply rip them out of their hosts assuming they are evil coral eaters. On the contrary, these little crabs are absolutely wonderful additions to any reef with branching SPS corals. Typically, the are found in Procillopora or Acropora corals, but will also thrive in other branching sticks. Crawling throughout the coral colony, they aid in proper water circulation within the coral and provide extensive cleaning services, along with warding off predators. In turn, the crab receives food from its host and protection from crab-hungry fish. I have seen a huge Birdsnest colony that was cleaned of all algae nearly overnight by one of these crabs, and its health quickly flourished. In comparison, the neighboring Birdsnest colony without an Acro Crab remained sparse, and grew bubble and hair algae along its base. For all of these reasons, I truly believe Trapezia Crabs are one of the best reef inverts available, and should be kept in every SPS reef tank!

No matter what kind of saltwater aquarium you have, there is some type of pairing symbiotic relationship that you can keep. Hobbyists try to mimic the natural ocean for their fish, and adding or completing one or more of the above groupings can easily benefit aquarium inhabitants and provide you with hours of entertainment!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ktompkins says

    October 25, 2019 at 4:43 am

    I wonder if my clowns would tolerate an Anemone crab? My magnificent Anemone just split.

    Reply
    • milesrichardpatterson says

      October 28, 2019 at 7:23 pm

      never know intill you try

      Reply
  2. Christopher Burns says

    October 25, 2019 at 6:17 am

    Interesting

    Reply
  3. SwiftNova . says

    October 25, 2019 at 7:38 am

    Very Interesting!

    Reply
  4. Brett says

    October 25, 2019 at 7:59 am

    Love it!

    Reply
  5. barniebob says

    October 25, 2019 at 9:38 am

    Love these relationships

    Reply
  6. Jose says

    October 25, 2019 at 9:42 am

    I introduced an anemone to my tank with my clown fish. At first they ignored the anemone, until I caught them and put them together in a small acclimation box for a few days. Within a week they hosted the anemone.

    Reply
  7. polygonreef says

    October 25, 2019 at 12:28 pm

    Super duper cool!

    Reply
  8. polygonreef says

    October 25, 2019 at 12:28 pm

    Super duper cool!

    Reply
  9. Dan says

    October 25, 2019 at 3:22 pm

    happy Halloween!

    Reply
  10. LIZ DAVID says

    October 25, 2019 at 4:17 pm

    I had no idea there where so many! Super neat!

    Reply
  11. Liesle says

    October 25, 2019 at 4:41 pm

    Enjoy researching these and learning about them to supplement and build my reef systems!

    Reply
  12. Jason Beguhn says

    October 25, 2019 at 5:01 pm

    I have a few of these relationships in my tank. I’m still working on the clowns and anemone.

    Reply
  13. Paul Worley says

    October 25, 2019 at 6:02 pm

    Cardinals and urchins, love it

    Reply
  14. Veronica Rios Zuniga Perez says

    October 26, 2019 at 1:36 am

    Interesting

    Reply
  15. Curtis says

    October 26, 2019 at 1:58 am

    The pistol shrimp and goby relationship is my favorite

    Reply
  16. casey moffett says

    October 26, 2019 at 8:55 am

    And I thought clowns where the only damsels to be hosted by anemones

    Reply
  17. ignoandfrigi says

    October 26, 2019 at 9:22 am

    I got to have one of those pom pom crabs, I used to have one but it vanished and I never saw it again. Super tiny little guys

    Reply
  18. Laurie Gilley says

    October 26, 2019 at 10:44 am

    Very interesting! I’ve always loved symbiosis.

    Reply
  19. seitzjh says

    October 26, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    I love the anemone and clown fish.

    Reply
  20. Jordan Hernandez says

    October 27, 2019 at 12:28 am

    Always learn something new

    Reply
  21. Buddy Blankenship says

    October 27, 2019 at 11:38 pm

    Cardinals and urchin. I have the urchin but no cardinals. I have a pair of clarkii clownfish that just brutalize my bubble tip anemone.

    Reply
  22. Paul Kachirsky says

    October 28, 2019 at 2:37 pm

    Very cool

    Reply
  23. Phamousreef says

    October 28, 2019 at 2:46 pm

    Clownfish and anemone

    Reply
  24. Cody Gruber says

    October 28, 2019 at 2:50 pm

    Cool

    Reply
  25. Phamousreef says

    October 28, 2019 at 2:59 pm

    Anemone crab and anemone

    Reply
  26. tigahboy says

    October 28, 2019 at 3:56 pm

    Very cool read!

    Reply
  27. jonberry says

    October 28, 2019 at 4:12 pm

    Thanks for the info

    Reply
  28. Daniel Shyer says

    October 28, 2019 at 4:30 pm

    awesome!

    Reply
  29. Liz Lynn says

    October 28, 2019 at 4:51 pm

    I liked learning about the pompom crab one!

    Reply
  30. Chuck miller says

    October 28, 2019 at 6:25 pm

    Here

    Reply
  31. Tian Sorg says

    October 28, 2019 at 6:58 pm

    My Clarkii love their Carpet Anenome!

    Reply
  32. Valerie says

    October 28, 2019 at 7:46 pm

    Very cool!!!

    Reply
  33. genbalt says

    October 28, 2019 at 7:53 pm

    Cool! I have seen some of these relationships in my tanks!

    Reply
  34. genbalt says

    October 28, 2019 at 7:53 pm

    Cool

    Reply
  35. robert vice says

    October 28, 2019 at 8:44 pm

    always loved the pistol shrimp and goby symbiotic relationship

    Reply
  36. Nicholas Nevins says

    October 28, 2019 at 9:18 pm

    Might have to invest in a long apined urchin

    Reply
  37. wisco2jz says

    October 28, 2019 at 10:11 pm

    Never heard of the spa crab before!

    Reply
  38. chris13 says

    October 29, 2019 at 7:19 am

    Some crabs like using the cover provided by Birdsnest coral colonies.

    Reply
  39. Wilfredo Robles says

    October 29, 2019 at 7:22 am

    my clowns ha form this kind of relationship with some of my leathers,

    Reply
  40. Wilfredo Robles says

    October 29, 2019 at 9:13 am

    cool

    Reply
  41. sabbath2 says

    October 29, 2019 at 10:40 am

    Very informative article!

    Reply
  42. Ncik says

    October 29, 2019 at 2:00 pm

    Thank you for this link I actually learned more about how to pair my clownfish

    Reply
  43. Timothy Shaner says

    October 29, 2019 at 2:27 pm

    I love pom pom crabs its a unique use of Anemones.

    Reply
  44. Mike Howell says

    October 29, 2019 at 4:41 pm

    Very kool!

    Reply
  45. Rachelle says

    October 29, 2019 at 4:52 pm

    Love me some goby and shrimp pairs

    Reply
  46. Elliot says

    October 29, 2019 at 5:42 pm

    Interesting about pairing something to consider.

    Reply
  47. krautzm says

    October 29, 2019 at 8:16 pm

    Great info. Can’t wait to use it in class

    Reply
  48. Jayson says

    October 29, 2019 at 10:48 pm

    I love my goby shrimp tank

    Reply
  49. Mark Valentino says

    October 30, 2019 at 11:32 am

    I have a porcelain crab and nem relationship in my reef.

    Reply
  50. Ro Vance says

    October 30, 2019 at 2:15 pm

    Super cool!

    Reply
  51. Rose Romero says

    October 31, 2019 at 9:35 am

    Interesting pairs.

    Reply
  52. Erica Rich says

    October 31, 2019 at 2:07 pm

    Love sealife

    Reply
  53. James Shawn Bleacher says

    October 31, 2019 at 4:15 pm

    Cool article

    Reply
  54. art anderson says

    October 31, 2019 at 5:04 pm

    nice

    Reply
  55. Ashton says

    October 31, 2019 at 6:48 pm

    The more symbiotic relationships in a tank, particularly mutualist, the healthier it will be for sure.

    Reply
  56. superiorislandservices says

    October 31, 2019 at 7:31 pm

    This gives me a couple of ideas to try. Thank you!

    Reply
  57. Jerry Pearson says

    October 31, 2019 at 7:34 pm

    Good read. Thank you.

    Reply
  58. Jay Gray says

    November 1, 2019 at 9:12 am

    Excellent Read

    Reply
  59. Charles says

    November 1, 2019 at 9:29 pm

    Great information!!!

    Reply
  60. btmedic04 says

    November 3, 2019 at 9:14 am

    Im still waiting for my clowns to figure out my BTA. I do have a pistol shrimp and orange spotted goby though to watch their symbiotic relationship

    Reply
  61. Esther says

    November 3, 2019 at 7:27 pm

    This is great stuff!

    Reply
  62. Brandon Bell says

    November 3, 2019 at 9:39 pm

    Interesting article!

    Reply

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