Black and White

[Travis L. Stevens]

I need some ideas on what are some Black and White things for my theme tank. I've had this in the planning stages for a long time, but never got around to finishing it until now. I just need some ideas. What in the aquarium trade are Black and White?

My idea was this for a black and white theme tank:

--Dry Goods--
Tank with black back
Black Tahitian Moon Sand
Live Rock

--Livestock--
Black Oscellaris Clownfish
Bangaii Cardinalfish
White Striped Neon Goby
Deresa Clam

--Cleanup Crew--
Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crabs
Black Nassarius Snails

--Corals--
???

I was hoping to have everything from the rock to the cleanup crew to all the inhabitants be black and white. Preferably striped, but not necessary. Do you know of any corals, invertabrates like shrimp and crabs, snails and hermits, fish, etc? It doesn't matter what size or what temperment, I was just wanting to compile a large list. Even the mention of a Clown Trigger or Black Volitan Lionfish are welcome. Just because it doesn't "agree" or "reef safe" with what I had in mind, doesn't mean I don't want to hear it.

[Toddrtrex]

First thing that comes to my mind are 2, 3 & 4 stripe damsels, along with the 3 spot damsel. The black and white Chromis. Also the half black pygmy angel (C. vroliki) The keyhole (C. tibicen)(though it does have a little yellow in it), The Black angel (C nox) (it is all black) and lastly the Black tang (pricey.) HTH

[Travis L. Stevens]

Wow, I can't believe I didnt think of the damsels. Thanks for the input. Please offer more.

[MattToTheMax]

aren't there black sun polyps for corals or something along those lines

[MattToTheMax]

white bubble coral
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=449
black tube coral
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=424

[Micki]

Yep, there are black sun coral! Here is mine. Keep in mind the white isn't supposed to be there. I bought one that was 50% dead.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Mickis125/Black%20sun%20coral%2005%2019%2005/1fecd2f9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Mickis125/Black%20sun%20coral%2005%2019%2005/557bd283.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Mickis125/Black%20sun%20coral%2005%2019%2005/899debbf.jpg

[Travis L. Stevens]

I can tell this tank will be AWESOME. Has anyone had any experience with clowns hosting in bubble coral? Im sure they will on occasions, but I would like to know first hand experience

[Travis L. Stevens]

What about snails. I know there are black nassarius snails, I have some, but what about white snails? Striped snails? Are any conchs, whelks, abalones, etc fitting into this black/white theme that are still beneficial? What about starfish and cucumbers?

[Micki]

One of my clowns "hangs out" around my bubble from time to time. I don't like it because I know the bubble could consume it easily! My bubble is considered white, but obviously it's not "pure white".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Mickis125/789fd820.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Mickis125/985676d9.jpg

It isn't even fully extended in these pics.

[Micki]

You can get fighting conchs with white or black shells. I have two whites and one black.

[Travis L. Stevens]

Awesome. I had no idea that bubble corals could eat fish. So getting a prized Black Osc Clown that could be eaten by a coral sounds like something to stay away from. Any other thoughts on a black/white coral that a pair could host in? I thought about a White BTA like my avatar but they roam and sting. I wouldn't like that

[Travis L. Stevens]

I also dont want to forget featherdusters. I know they can be black and white striped. or at least brown and white. It would fit the theme though.

[Micki]

Can't think of anything off the top of my head. I don't think it's really that common for clowns to host to bubbles. Mine doesn't exactly host, but she hangs around sometimes. She has never "jumped" in, but I'm sure whe could easily be gone if she did.

[Micki]

My daughter in law has an awesome white feather duster with just a hint of black on the feathers,. It's really a beautiful feather duster!

[Micki]

Don't know what size tank you're going for but here are a few others.

http://themarinecenter.com/angel-vroliki.jpg

http://themarinecenter.com/butterflyheni.htm

[Mekong]

Red Sea Pusling Xenia is bright white

an orca would fit the theme as well

I have a black and white striped bristle star that came on a zoo rock from etropicals, great looking star!

[PogoMonogo]

I have this black and white goby that lives upside in my rocks. Thats pretty cool. an achilles tang is also black, but needs a huge tank. a sebae anemone is pretty much all white.

[suzstephens]

Watch the damsels. Even my little Red Sea black and white damsels, sold to me as friendly, killed everything I tried to put in the same tank. They recently went back to the LFS.

Bumblebee snails

I don't know eels at all, but a nearby LFS had a black and white banded eel for awhile that he said was reefsafe.

Though not strictly black and white, the Magnicent rabbitfish (Lo Magnificus) are ..well.. magnificent.


Here are a few ideas. Browse Liveaquaria.com for more.

Black tang
Black clown goby
Panther grouper
Black leopard wrasse
Niger trigger
Jackknife fish
Moorish Idol
Malcolor Niger aka Black Snapper
Tassled Filefish
Scissortail Dartfish
Lamarck's Angel (a reefsafe angel)

[new2u]

marine beta
marine catfish
engineer gobies
black volitan lion
tesletta eel

marine beta and catfish would be the coolest imho

[Darold]

Trying to copy me huh?;)

Here is a link to some of my ideas:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=592894


Dwarf Zebra Hermits are also called "left handed hermits." This might help you find some more. In order to keep "purple" put of the black and white tank, you can add a black urchin that eats coraline. I am planning on using a black Longspine Urchin (I think there is an off white variation of urchin as well).

I currently have some bright white pulsing Xenia waiting to be put in (Waiting for new hood). Zebra Hermits are also on my list. I am currently researching to make sure a Glass Anemone Shrimp will live without its host anemone. If so, it will add a little color. but mostly the white spots.

[Micki]

Black or black and white sand...

[Darold]

Zebra Shark
http://www.atlantisaquarium.net/images/Shark.JPG


Also, there are pics of a mutated clown fish around here that would be perfect. It is almost all black with a few white stripes.

[edwar050]

you could paint black and white stripes on the back, like a prison and put the damsels in it-

[chrissreef]

- lamark or lamarck angel and maybe bellus angel
- black tang
- sohal tang
- Pseudochromis springeri: Bluestriped Dottyback
- black percula clown
- plenty of white starfish and snails
- urchin - black long spine
- fox coral or bubble coral
- there's a black centropyge nox (angel) angel and a keyhole centropogy angel
- snowflake eel
- tang acanthurus chronix
- 2 spott goby (signigobius biocellatus)
- goby meiacanthus smithii
- there are some cats
- goby phiolidichthys leucotaenia (they look like eels)
- opistognathus aurifrons - goby i think all white)
- marine betta
- a batfish
- drum or croaker
- panther grouper (hehe)

[Paul B]

Moorish Idol
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/13094Copy_of_DSC00875.jpg

[Micki]

I wouldn't go with the Moorish Idol. I would go with it's look alike Heniochus Butterfly.

[Travis L. Stevens]

All of these have been very great information. I will probably go with the list Im about to post. I have to go find where I left it though.

[Travis L. Stevens]

--Dry Goods--
Filter, sump, etc (personal choice)
Tank with black back

--Aquascaping--
Black Tahitian Moon Sand
Live Rock

--Cleanup Crew--
Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crabs (General Cleanup)
Zebra Nerits Snails (Glass Cleanup)
Black Nassarius Snails (Sand Cleanup)
Serpent Star (not necessarily black and WHITE, but you can get close)
Longspine Sea Urchin (They come in black, white, and black and white)

--Invertabrates--
Deresa Clam
Feather Dusters
Coral Banded Shrimp (If there is a "black" color morph)
[Not black, but good addition Harlequin Shrimp (caution: no serpent star then) and Sexy Shrimp]

--Fish--
Black Oscellaris Clownfish
Bangaii Cardinalfish
Cleaner Goby (Black and White morph and not blue and black)
Highfin or Blackray Shrimp Goby (has a yellow head, but they pair with pistol shrimp and there might be a black/white pistol shrimp)

--Corals--
White Bubble Coral
Black Tubastrea (No lighting needed)
White Xenia (There is a white pom pom xenia I want to get BADLY)
Knob Coral (Some can be striped black/white)
Fungia Coral (Some can be striped black/white)
Elegance Coral (Some can be pretty white with white tips)
Torch Coral (Some can be pretty white)
Galaxia Coral (I've seen a Black [or was it deep green?] with white tips)

Now I have a question. Is there a black and white morph of Coral Banded Shrimp and/or Pistol Shrimp?

[Travis L. Stevens]

Also, what are the spawning habits of clownfish, bangaii cardinals, and neon gobies. I know they breed in captivity. I might get a tank large enough just to do that. Does anyone know if the Blackray Shrimp Goby breeds in aquariums? If so, how?

[Travis L. Stevens]

*correction. I believe that black tubastrea is supposed to read Black Sun Coral

[CitCat21]

Nobody mentioned a black cardinal fish

[Toddrtrex]

As for clownfish breeding, I have a pair in my 75 (clarkii) the spawn monthly and in my 29 my GSM pair also.

[Travis L. Stevens]

I think I will definitely go with these:

Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crab (http://www.liveaquaria.com/images/products/large/p_86551.jpg)
Zebra Nerite Snails (Shells) (http://shell.kwansei.ac.jp/~shell/pic_book/img43/r004231.jpg)
Striped Nassarius Snail (http://la.mafia.cl/conchas/images/nasadenti.JPG) I may have to go with Black Nassarius Snails (http://www.jaxshells.org/0914.jpg)
Serpent Starfish (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/images/355_serpentstar.jpg)
Black and White Longspine Sea Urchin (http://www.reefseekers.com/PIXPAGES/Black__white_urchin.jpg)
Deresa Clam (http://www.coraldynamics.com/Images/Oldclamimages/deresa11.jpg)
Feather Duster (http://www.stlzoo.org/images/featherduster_worm_sm.jpg)
Black Oscellaris Clownfish (Pair) (http://animal-world.com/encyclo/marine/clowns/images/BlackPerculaWMC_U28.jpg)
Bangaii Cardinalfish (Pair) (http://www.aquahobby.com/marine/img/kaudern1.jpg)
White Striped Neon Goby (http://sc.groups.msn.com/tn/B7/B0/DominicaMarineReserves/e/9e.jpg)
Blackray Shrimp Goby (http://www.cosmos.ne.jp/~breach/Fish%20collection.jpeg/goby030-2.jpeg) and Tiger Pistol Shrimp (http://bluewater.cocolog-nifty.com/osakana/images/datehaze3.jpg)
White Bubble Coral (http://www.aquariumarts.com/bubblecoral2.jpeg)
Black Sun Coral (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Mickis125/Black%20sun%20coral%2005%2019%2005/899debbf.jpg)
Red Sea Pom Pom Xenia (http://www.liveaquaria.com/images/products/large/p_86034.jpg)
Galaxea Coral (http://www.got-chow.com/thumbnails/galaxea_072202_tn.jpg) This is a Black and White photo, but I saw one at my LFS that looked exactly like this.
Torch Coral (http://www.centralpets.com/critter_images/fish/saltwater_inverts/SWI_0001691_20030330222726.jpg)

Now what should I look at with size of tank? My guess is 26g would be too small for a mated pair of each of the 4 fish. Would a 42g bowfront work?

[Darold]

Wow, I am really sold on the B/W urchin. Please let me know where you get it from. I was originally just going to get a black one, but that looks great!

[Travis L. Stevens]

:lol: I have to find one, too. I just might get lazy and buy one from a LFS and have them hunt it down.

[Madoktopus]

its up to ypu but i kept a comet (marine betta) in a reef before and that was reefsafe (it left the peppermints alone)

[Travis L. Stevens]

I have to admit I do love the Marine Betta, but I would be worried about it eating my small fish.

[new2u]

come on dude they're perfect and If you get a small one there'd be no problems... I've got one and love it!

[Travis L. Stevens]

I think I would rather go with breeding fish that breed. If they eggs hatch and grow up "YA!!" if they dont and become fish food "YA!!" At least I know my fish are having fun and happy and have full stomachs.

[Micki]

Now what should I look at with size of tank? My guess is 26g would be too small for a mated pair of each of the 4 fish. Would a 42g bowfront work?

26 would be too small for everythign you have listed, just as much for the coral as the fish. 42 would be better but still could go bigger. Rule of thumb... get the biggest you can afford or have room for. :)

[Travis L. Stevens]

Thanks for the info. Any others willing to comment? Anyone have any good suggestions on where to find these items? Ya, ya, I know..."The Ocean", duh :lol: What are good places to purchase them from?

[mike89t]

Schooling Bannerfish:

http://www.dykkesiden.com/album/albums/userpics/11086/normal_233%20036.jpg

You can buy them from here:

http://www.vividaquariums.com/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=01-1813-S

Be careful if you get them somewhere else. The Longfin Bannerfish looks almost identical and isn't reef safe.

[Travis L. Stevens]

I don't know about that place. Nice and all, but those are the same prices as my LFS and I can view my purchase before hand. Any other places those out there prefer?

[Micki]

http://premiumaquatics.com/ is good.

[new2u]

what about the dragon sea moth? It'd work well http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2224 also, i perfer liveaquaria or marinedepot live

[Travis L. Stevens]

Thanks, that's an awesome little critter. I'll have to do a little research for knowledge sake

[Darold]

http://www.exotictropicals.com/encyclo/marine/clowns/images/BlackPerculaWMC_U28.jpg

[Travis L. Stevens]

*whimper* I love those guys, and I don't even own them... :(

[geekreef_05]

The idol is awesome...there is also the similar henichoius black and white butterfly fish.

cool tank idea, post pics when ur done!

happy reefin'

[nam2212]

I have a Striped Dottyback in my nano. He is black and white and has tons of personality. Also, I have tons of black and white cerith snails. I get them from the LFS in the LR tanks. They come in on the Marshall Island rock and are great in a clean-up crew.

http://www.etropicals.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=41&pCatId=1320

[Travis L. Stevens]

That's not a bad looking dottyback. Thank's for posting. That's definitely going to be in the consideration box. As far as the moorish idol or heinochus butterfly, that's going to be a little too large of a fish for what im planning on.

[Darold]

This guy might eat SPS, but if you don't plan on keeping B/W SPS, then check him out:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1752

A little more interesting than a simple Nass snail.

[jenlovesty]

There was a tank at the South Florida FMAS show last month that was all black and white. Looked Awesome. Please post pics when you get it started.

[keckles]

Coralline algae and detritus will be your biggest enemies.

Good luck :) :thumbsup:

[Travis L. Stevens]

But that is what the longspined urching and nassarius snails are for.

[keckles]

Nice :thumbsup:

[NeilPearson]

Killer Whale
Penguin
Polar Bear

[Tammy3770]

you know what I think would be cool?
well if you picked a third color like bright red, yellow, or green to dot around the tank it would be really eye catching and give you a few more choices like for yellow get a yellow sun polyp and a yellow gorgonian and have the rest of the tank B/W
or for red get that chillie pepper coral and some nice red mushrooms

that's what i think would be really cool

[Darold]

I agree with tammy. In my B/w Tank, I think I may eventually add a Halloween Hermit crab, and/or a red headed goby just to make it really pop-out.

[Travis L. Stevens]

I thought about doing that, but I decided that the coralline algae that the urchin doesn't eat will be a very nice touch of purples and reds and pinks and such. I do have a question on corals though. I would like to broaden my horizon on "black" corals. I'm looking for actual black corals like the Black Sun Coral at the beginning of this post and more. If not black, how about very deeply colored corals. There was a Galaxea coral that I had found once that was so deep colored it was almost black. In fact, I don't even know what the color was. It may have been a deep green but the contrasting white tips made it look definitely black. Does anyone know of any toadstools that are white? Or Black? I currently have this as easy to find definite corals.

Black Sun Coral
White Red Sea Pom Pom Xenia
White Bubble Coral

[Tammy3770]

Ive seen black galixia(sp)

[Travis L. Stevens]

Where do you think that I might be able to obtain one. Online store, LFS, mail order catalog, aquaculture center, personal owners, etc?

[Tammy3770]

I have one that I picked up at one of the many lfs in my area


I'm sure theres more out there

[Travis L. Stevens]

I saw one at my LFS, but I haven't been able to find it from that point on. It was so cool too because it had it's sweeper tentacles out and it looked like a small galaxy contained in the ocean. The white dots being stars on the black fabric of space and moving meteors on the tips transparent tentacles. It was soooo cool.

[Travis L. Stevens]

This will be the start of my 100% list.

--Corals--
White Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sinuosa)
Black Sun Coral (Tubastraea micrantha)
White Red Sea Pom Pom Xenia (Xenia umbellata)
White Torch Coral (Euphyllia glabrescens)
Black Galaxia Coral (Galaxea fascicularis)

[Micki]

Sounds good. I have a black sun coral, pretty cool.

[Travis L. Stevens]

Though the Tubastrea micrantha does not need light, is it harmed by the light? I was planning on possibly VHOs since I have the tank as LPS dominate.

[Micki]

I have 3x250 MH 10K lighting. I have threesun coral, 1 yellow, 1 orange and 1 black. I have had them anywhere from the sand bed to the top of the tank. They have done fine everywhere.

[Travis L. Stevens]

Well, that's even better. I didn't know if the no need for light was that it didn't use photosynthetics at all or just extremely low levels of it. I guess I might as well get a halide instead.

[Micki]

Yep. Has been no problem for me! :D

[Travis L. Stevens]

It looks like I have found something new to put on my want list...

--Corals--
White Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sinuosa)
Black Sun Coral (Tubastraea micrantha)
White Red Sea Pom Pom Xenia (Xenia umbellata)
White Torch Coral (Euphyllia glabrescens)
Black Galaxia Coral (Galaxea fascicularis)
White Montipora Coral (Montipora stellata)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/LotR_Clown/whitemonti.jpg

One of my local club member's has this one here (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=585870) . I would love to get my hands on something like it.

[Micki]

I have something like that, but I don't think it's alive any more. :lmao:

[keckles]

Be careful with the black T. micrantha, they are notorious for being difficult to feed in captivity.

[Travis L. Stevens]

Even with target feeding?

[Shoestring Reefer]

Black and white shells for the hermits.

[Travis L. Stevens]

I'm definitely going to do that. I was wondering where I could find empty Zebra Nerite shells and then house all the Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crabs in a 10g tank and take the old shells out whenever they switch to the new Zebra Nerites.

[xtopher_vw]

everyone forgot that a sailfin tang can be black and white;)

[Travis L. Stevens]

I saw one of those when looking for the black tang someone mentioned earlier. Those are SWEET. But Im afraid it wont fit in the size tank Im looking to get around. Speaking of tank sizes. I think I am going to get a corner tank of some kind. I think I would like a pentagon, but Bowfront options are available too. What are some of the sizes out there for corner tanks both pentagon and bowfront?

[geekreef_05]

Black and white shells are a cool idea, although u gotta figure that they wont last as that colour too long. Every snail or crab shell Ive ever had become covered in corolline or another algae within a couple months.

I had a white shell at one point...its was white for about a month and then covered in corolline.

happy reefin'

[Travis L. Stevens]

That's true. I have a hermit crab that is covered in cyanobacteria right now. I don't know how he did it, but it looks pretty cool having about 3 small red "banners" waving off of his shell.

[jnb]

no suggestions but I have to tell you - I saw one set up recently and it was so cool - sticking to the black and white theme exteme is the challenge

[Travis L. Stevens]

It has been difficult. There is one fish that I would like to get if I can find one with a deep color morph. Scooter Dragonets. Who wouldn't want one of those? But they are usually brown and white.

[Darold]

Just updating you on what I plan on using in my pico B/W tank. Most of your ideas will be too big for my tank, however, a few of my ideas might be too "small" for yours. Hopefully some of them may fit your needs as well:

Zebra Hermits
Cleaner Clam
Nass Snails
Black Longspine Urchin
Boxing Crab
sand sifting crabs
Newspaper Nudi

Under this plan, I will have two focal critters. The Boxing Crab and his anemones as well as the newspaper nudibranch. The Nass snails/zebra hermits will just add a little more life. I don't think the cleaner clam will fit, but I can always move it into my refugium on my larger tank. The white sand sifting crab shoul look cool sticking out of the black sand.


Boxer Crab (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=172&parent_category=4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4/)
Cleaner Clam (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=574&parent_category=4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4/)
Sand Sifting Crabs (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=301&parent_category=4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4/)
Newspaper Nudibranch (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=607&parent_category=4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4/)

[Travis L. Stevens]

I REALLY like the Newspaper Nudibranch. Do you know if it a specialized eater? Are you worried about it getting stuck in powerheads and such? I'm not a big fan of the clam and crab, but that's my take on it for my tank, but for yours it would look great. The pom pom crab/ boxing crab would be a great addition to your pico tank. I like the blue form of the pompom crab a little more than the red, but they are both really awesome and would give it great flare. I'm looking into getting a 54g corner bowfront for my B/W tank.

[Darold]

I think the nudi is most likely going to be a picky eater. I hope to call the company tomorrow to get more info. My powerhead is incredibly tiny (about the size of a quarter). I agree, I would prefer to get the blue pompom/boxer instead, but would be happy with the brown when it becaomes available.

[Travis L. Stevens]

Im going to try to dig up some information and post what I find here for those that are curious and/or following this thread.

[Travis L. Stevens]

Bad news about the nudibranch for those interested in black and white themes. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=5126138#post5126138 says it all.

[Darold]

Oh well... I guess I can cross it off the list for my B/W tank. This is fine, since I couldn't find anyone who had them in stock anyways. I doubt I would get as much enjoyment out of the nudi as I will many of the other creatures available.

[zemuron114]

i would go with a 54 corner, or a 72 bowfront (if i had to pick the corner or bowfront) personally i would do the 72. It opens up a whole lot of options with corals/fish and overall room :)..

enough chit chat,.. lets start the black and white theme!!!

:)

[Travis L. Stevens]

I just missed out on a 44g corner, so we will have to wait a while before I can find a decently priced tank.

[Travis L. Stevens]

BTW, here is a shameless bump and announcement. See http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=611290 for details

[Travis L. Stevens]

I guess it's way over due for a little update. I've promised my wife to finish her tank first, so this has been on the back burner.

---Dry Goods
44g Pentagon (Repairing, drilling. Would trade for a 54g corner bowfront ;) )
Black Sand (Have a good source)

---Fish
(2) Black and White Ocellaris [mated] (Have a good source)
(2) Bangaii Cardinalfish [mated] (Have a good source)

---Cleanup Crew
(1) Harlequin Serpent Star (Acquiring next week)
(1) Black and White Longspine Urchin (Looking)
Dwarf Zebra Hermits (Acquiring slowly)
Black Illyanassa obsoleta (Have)
Banded Trochus Snail (Have a good source)

---Corals
White Bubble Coral (Have)
Black Sun Coral (Have)
Pom Pom Xenia (Have)
White Pipe Organ/Clove Polyps (Looking)
Black Galaxea (Looking)
Whitish Torch Coral (Looking)

---Invertebrates
(1) Black and White Maxima (Ordered and on its way)
(1) Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Have a good source)

I might add a shrimp goby like the Blackray Shrimp Goby (http://www.cosmos.ne.jp/~breach/Fish%20collection.jpeg/goby030-2.jpeg) and/or a mated pair of Neon Goby (http://sc.groups.msn.com/tn/B7/B0/DominicaMarineReserves/e/9e.jpg) that are the white color morph.

[ZachStep]

I guess this is still on the back burner? Oh well, it gives me time to get thru the the Step by Step guide.

Is there any form of rock that would remain black or white if your clean up crew was able to keep up?

[AVALover5498]

Man, how did you come up with this old thread. ;)

[Travis L. Stevens]

Recently times have gotten hard financial and I had to sell the tank. So this project is not only on the back burner, but most likely indefinitely. If you were to get carious coralline algae eating animals, you could easily keep your rock relatively white. Urchins are really good at this.

[Travis L. Stevens]

Even though this project is pretty much scrapped, I did get rather far:

---Dry Goods
44g Pentagon (Repairing, drilling. Would trade for a 54g corner bowfront ) Sold it
Black Sand (Have a good source) Never got any

---Fish
(2) Black and White Ocellaris [mated] (Have a good source) Have
(2) Bangaii Cardinalfish [mated] (Have a good source) I will in the future

---Cleanup Crew
(1) Harlequin Serpent Star (Acquiring next week) Have
(1) Black and White Longspine Urchin (Looking) Found one
Dwarf Zebra Hermits (Acquiring slowly) Got more
Black Illyanassa obsoleta (Have) Have
Banded Trochus Snail (Have a good source) Don't Have

---Corals
White Bubble Coral (Have) Got one
Black Sun Coral (Have) Got one
Pom Pom Xenia (Have) Got one
White Pipe Organ/Clove Polyps (Looking) Don't Have
Black Galaxea (Looking) Don't Have
Whitish Torch Coral (Looking) Got one

---Invertebrates
(1) Black and White Maxima (Ordered and on its way) Order fell through
(1) Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Have a good source) I still have a good lead

[Gordonious]

Has anyone mentioned Pholidichthys leucotaenia (convict/engineer gobby/blenny)? They go through different colors as different stages in there life from a pure white to a very light yellow. Not perfect, but I have three of them and love them. Should be good with the other animals you were talking about, but if you plan to harvest eggs I would watch them.

Darold where did you get those clowns? I want. I want.

[Travis L. Stevens]

I tossed them over in my mind a few times, but their burrowing habits are just something I didn't want to deal with.

[ZachStep]

Amazing how many people have started to reply about this subject in such a short amount of time.

[rockindacheeks]

i was watching a show on discovery HD (reef of riches) that showed black saddle clowns hosting a BLACK carpet anemone. It was pretty sweet. it was some volcanic region where everything was black. maybe if you know someone that knows someone they could get you one.

[Travis L. Stevens]

Interesting. DO you know if there is a picture on the net?

[rockindacheeks]

i checked but i couldnt find anything.

[tcmfish]

black or white angler
zoster butterfly (Hemitaurichthys zoster and a plankton feeder)
striped psuedochromis (Pseudochromis sankeyi)
black sea horses
flashlight fishes http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1156
black and white maxima clams
black sea urchins
white sccalops
some anemones are white
sand sifting start would look cool with the black sand
black spotted boxfish or the female of the blue spotted (same fish)
burguess butterfly

[tcmfish]

that is a sand sifting star not start on my last post

[ZachStep]

How difficult are these to find? Black and White Ocellaris (preferably mated)

[tcmfish]

liveaquaria.com has them as mated pairs often in their diver's den and they also sell them un-paired on the regular part of the site

[tgcreef]

nice

[jnb]

come on make it happen already

[zemuron114]

i would do a black and white theme and have one BRIGHt colored something. preferably coral. Mayb e a rose BTA for the black clowns? That would stand out incredible and would be awesome!