Hello Sarah,

[b:1frvq05p]After several month of activity, the micro-fauna in refugium becomes mono-specific.[/b:1frvq05p]

Yes, this is a common pattern.

[b:1frvq05p] Would have an idea to restore the biodiversity in my refugium??[/b:1frvq05p]

One thing to try would be to reintroduce some other animals, and at the same time put in some rocks or other substrata.

[b:1frvq05p] I have thought of introducing a goby, a hippocampus or a pistol-shrimp into the refugium, but that will become a second aquarium and lose its vocation of refugium?[/b:1frvq05p]

The addition of a small predator to reduce the population of amphipods, will probably increase the overall diversity in your refugium [color=red]and[/color:1frvq05p] increase its use as a refugium.

[b:1frvq05p] What do you think of refugium, of their utility and which should they contain?[/b:1frvq05p]

I think refugia are a great way to maintain a wide diversity of small animals to feed the main tank. Each one is unique and should contain whatever it takes to maximize the production of the desired animals.

Cheers, Ron

Hello Ron,

You know the amphipodes well, could you give me the name of a small predator of these animals, for my refugium.?

Thank you

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

Suggesting a predator on amphipods is more difficult than you might suppose.

Many larger flatworms eat them, but these are effectively impossible to purchase, and fish predators are not good for a refugium.

This leaves other crustaceans, and I would suggest that you add some hermit crabs, most of which will eat some amphipods if they can catch them.

Good luck!