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Invertebrates
Sally Lightfoot crabs are popular aquarium additions for algae control. Large specimens can often be found in nature such as this individual climbing above the tide line to feed.
In the aquarium sally lightfoots may go after small fish and other invertebrates when they get larger. Female crabs can also be more aggressive when ovulating.
Sea
urchins are a great natural lawnmower!
Longspine urchins like many others will spend their days in holes or crevices in rocks. This keeps them safe from being eaten by carnivorous fish. Then at night individuals like this one will scour the reef for any algae that grew during the day.
Without the threat of natural predators urchins in the aquarium will often adapt to being out in the open areas during daylight hours. Many species remain highly active at night though.
Filter feeders like the Black Lip Oyster and Christmas Tree Worm consume phytoplankton from the water column on coral reefs.
The Tridacna maxima clam is another filter feeder.
As the young clam matures it will bore into the rock on which it rests developing a permanent residence within the rock. The flutes along the sides of the shell wear down with time. Captive bred clams for the marine ornamental trade retain their flutes and are sold with any surrounding rock material.
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