I got some “live rock” from a specialty store, and it ‘s the greatest thing ever. I don’t care if I never get fish – the rock itself is so great!
Just a few weeks ago, I wasn’t sure I knew what live rock is, but I think I’ve got it now. Most of it is skeletons of coral, not really rock at all. It’s available “uncured” “cured” or “cultured”. The uncured live rock carries on it and in it, the life from the waters it came from. Of course that can be good or bad, depending upon what’s on it.
Cured live rock, is the natural “rock” that came from the ocean, but only the hardiest life remains. The things that wouldn’t survive in your tank, are removed before you get the rock, as well as any “hitch hikers”. Rumor has it, it’s a very smelly process to cure live rock.
A clam who hitched a ride on the live rock. More of a stow-away, than a hitch hiker.
Cultured live rock is formed cement or other material, that has been seeded to grow beneficial bacteria and other life onto to it. It may be cultured in vats or out in the ocean. The red “donut” in these photos is actually cultured cement!
My “rock” is cured live rock. It’s covered with beautiful purple coralline algae, and just before I put it in my tank, a little crab came out of it! So I put him in the tank, of course. He may turn out to eat fish and coral, but I don’t know yet. I haven’t seen him again. The morning after I put in the rock, a clam appeared attached to one of the old rocks. Oh, and there is a tiny little fish swimming around too. It’s so tiny that it must have just hatched.
I looked in the tank with a black light the first night that I had the rock, and I saw bright green spots of something. There are also yellow pollups on the rock. They look like little brown feathers in the daylight, but are yellow under a black light. The “rock” pieces I bought are purplish in daylight, but under the black light they are an amazing orange.
I was looking at the rock one evening, and I saw a crab come out. Not the little red one that I had seen earlier, but a mottled tan and brown crab. He climbed out of one rock, and then moved into another one. He’s kind of scary looking. He has big claws and a lot of legs.
So for now, I’m happy to just look at my live rock. I don’t feel the need to run out and get some fish. I did add a few snails, and they are also great to watch (Perhaps I’m easily amused). But look at these guys! They’re beautiful!
Banded Trochus Snails blending into the rock
Tiny nassarius snails pop up for a meal