There are several amazing aquarium invertebrates you should be familiar with. Click here to learn more about what to add to your tank.
Are you interested in starting up an aquarium and want to try to raise cool invertebrates? Did you know that 97% of all animals are invertebrates?
Not all invertebrates are water-dwelling, but this means that there are many unique critters to pick from when it comes to aquarium invertebrates.
If you’re looking to add some new life to your tank, then keep reading. We’ll go through some of the best creatures to add to your tank that are more unique than your average fish.
1. Crayfish
When people think of crayfish, it’s most often the big lobster-like creatures that are popular in the South. Aquarium crayfish are more delicate, less aggressive, and much smaller in size.
They’re known as dwarf crayfish, and they come in a lot of cool colors to match any aquarium design. The electric blue crayfish, for example, looks like a magical fantasy creature.
Crayfish love to be active and interact with each other, so they’re always fun to watch.
2. Shrimp
Shrimps are colorful and easy to raise. The best thing about this type of reef aquarium invertebrate is that they love living in large groups and won’t bog down the system. Depending on the size of your tank, you could have hundreds of these little guys swimming around.
Having a whole school of shrimp is a cool way to have an entire community of invertebrate pets to watch.
3. Clams
Clams are among the easiest of captive-bred invertebrates to incorporate into an already-existing tank. Their ability to clam up and protect themselves makes it easier for them to get used to the unique settings of your tank.
Their shells make for beautiful living decorations and they also function as natural filters, helping the entire system stay healthy and clean.
4. Snails
Snails love to burrow all over the place, and they also clean up any leftover food, algae, and debris left by other aquarium inverts. It’s always fun to watch a snail trek its way across the aquarium.
They’re unobtrusive to other species so having a couple of snails alongside other critters is a great way to bring in diversity to your tank.
5. Crabs
If you’re looking for invertebrate pets with personality, then crabs are your perfect match. Most freshwater crabs are small but feisty. They love to try to escape their tanks so make sure that they’re secured before you leave the room.
Some crabs are too small to cause problems if you’re worried about this, so always pick the right size critter for your tank!
Always Do Research About Aquarium Invertebrates Before Set Up
Each of these aquarium invertebrates requires a bit of research before you place them into your tank. They’re all unique and may need some extra care before they adapt to the settings of your aquarium.
Once you know all of the vital information, get ready to have a beautiful tank full of interesting critters!
For more information on taking care of a whole variety of different animals, check out the rest of our Pet Care section!
