06 Beginner Invertebrates
Description
This article is from the Beginning Saltwater FAQ, by Thomas Sasala with numerous contributions by others.
06 Beginner Invertebrates
Many people believe that invertebrates are only for mini or micro-reef
tanks. Not so. There are quite a few invertebrates that do well in
non-reef tanks. However, not a lot of invertebrates should be
attempted by inexperienced saltwater fish keepers. Below is a brief
summary of the more hardy invertebrates available to aquarists.
Shrimps
There are many different shrimps available on the market, with most of
them being perfectly suitable for a lightly loaded saltwater tank. In
fact, some shrimps are more suitable for fish and invertebrate tanks
than for a reef tank since they like to eat corals.
Some of the more popular shrimps are Cleaner shrimp Lysmata
amboinensis, Blood shrimp Lysmata debelius, Candycane or Peppermint
shrimp Periclimenes brevcarpalis, and Coral Banded shrimp Stenopus
hispidus. The cleaner shrimp is denoted by a white on red stripe down
the middle of its back. They are fairly inexpensive and easy to keep.
They should, however, be kept in small groups (3-4), as this makes
them more social and more likely to come out often. The Blood shrimp
is intensely red with some white spots. It is a very striking animal,
but usually commands a high price. The Coral Banded shrimp is very
popular with reef keepers, but must be watched around small fish. This
shrimp has been known to eat small fish without thinking twice.
Most shrimps are scavengers and don't necessarily need to be fed
overtly (they usually eat food dropped by fish). If your fish your
fish consume most of the food before it makes it to the bottom of the
tank, then some extra food should be given to the shrimps after the
fishes have been fed, or at night (most shrimps are nocturnal).
Shrimps readily accept most frozen foods and dried foods (brine
shrimp, flake food, etc.).
Stay away from Harlequin shrimps Hymenocera sp. as starfish are their
only source of food.
Crabs
There are many different type of crabs, but the most commonly seen
varieties are anemone crabs Neopetrolisthes ohshimia, arrow crabs
Stenorhynchus seticornis, and hermit crabs Dardanus megistos. Anemone
crabs live in anemones, as do clownfish (e.g., Sebae), and vary
greatly in color and shape. They are usually acquired indirectly by
buying an anemone, but are some times sold separately. These crabs
should have a host anemone to feel comfortable. Arrow crabs are very
interesting animals which should be kept one to a tank, as they will
continually fight. Also, Arrow crabs should not be kept with Coral
Banded Shrimps as they will fight as well. Hermit crabs are also
interesting, and vary in color and size. Most are passive, butsome
will eat corals and other invertebrates.
Crabs are generally omnivorous and readily accept the same foods as
your fish. Like shrimp, crabs can only eat food which has made it to
the bottom of the tank. Thus, ensure some food is in reach of your
crabs.
Sea Urchins and Starfishes
Most sea urchins and Starfishes are suitable for beginners who have a
few months experience. Once again they vary greatly in size, shape,
and color. Beware, some sea urchins are poisonous. Most sea urchins
and starfish feed on detritus and algae, and small particles of food
that have fallen within their reach.
Anemones
Simply put, amemones should not be kept by beginners (sorry folks).
They all require very strong lighting and excellent water conditions.
Do not believe a fish store guy that tells you otherwise. Unless you
are willing to invest a lot of money in proper lighting, do not try to
keep an anemone.
Some Notes on Invertebrates
Invertebrates are very sensitive to water quality. Signs of stress due
to poor water quality will usually be exhibited first by
invertebrates. Therefore, shrimps, anemones and other invertebrates
should never be used to cycle a tank. Moreover, you should never add
an invertebrate to a diseased tank or a tank which does not have
stable water quality parameters (e.g., pH, temperature, etc.).
Other points to note. Shrimps need iodine to properly molt, as well as
calcium . If you do not change water regularly (which you should), or
if you do not feed live or frozen food frequently, then you may need
to supplement your water with iodine. Without proper levels of iodine,
shrimps will not molt properly and will most likely die. Also, copper
kills invertebrates at much lower concentrations than fish. If you
have ever used copper in your tank, DO NOT put invertebrates into the
tank. You will never be able to adequately remove all the copper such
that you can keep invertebrates alive and happy. Finally, crabs
usually outgrow their shell sooner or later. Therefore, you will need
to provide a new larger shell (they usually try a few out before
sticking with one, so you will probably need at least a couple).
Invertebrates to Stay Away From
Tridacna clams (they need strong lighting), Flame scallops (they are
nearly impossible to feed in an aquarium as they are filter feeders),
Octopi (they have very short life spans), Nudibranchs (they are
difficult/impossible to feed), any hard or soft coral (they need very
strong lighting), and sea squirts (they can release poisonous toxins
into the water).
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