Let's Talk Inverts!

TopShelfAquatics · Jun 27, 2023

We are wrapping up the build of our new online invert system and we are excited to be able to offer more inverts to our online customers.

What are your favorite inverts to use in your tank and what are some inverts you wish you could find available online to order?

Check out some pictures from our build!

Cell · Jun 27, 2023

I wish stomatella snails were available online!

j.falk · Jun 27, 2023

Red Emerald / Mithrax Crabs...nobody ever seems to have them in stock.

TopShelfAquatics · Jun 27, 2023

Cell said:
I wish stomatella snails were available online!

Ask and you shall receive! We are culturing them in our farm!

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TopShelfAquatics · Jun 27, 2023

j.falk said:
Red Emerald / Mithrax Crabs...nobody ever seems to have them in stock.

We will definitely look in to these! Thank you for the suggestion!

Jasonak · Jun 28, 2023

Clams haven't seen them around much lately.
Blue and orange electric hermits.
Strawberry crabs.
Acro crabs.
Porcelain crabs.
Ive heard good things about pitho crabs but have never seen them for sale.
Chocolate stars for my my Harlequin

A linka star that doesn't die LOL

TopShelfAquatics · Jul 5, 2023

Some good suggestions here! I don't know if we can help with the Linckia though lol

BirdFish5000 · Jul 5, 2023

Are these systems kept fishless?

TopShelfAquatics · Jul 5, 2023

BirdFish5000 said:
Are these systems kept fishless?

It does not have livestock in it yet, but it will likely be inverts only

BirdFish5000 · Jul 5, 2023

TopShelfAquatics said:
It does not have livestock in it yet, but it will likely be inverts only

Cool, please keep us updated. I ask because I am conscious about disease/parasite control, and inverts in systems with fish can bring along fish parasites. I am always looking for vendors that keep their inverts fishless and I know a lot of other people do too, so I think it would be a big benefit for all if you choose to go that route.

TopShelfAquatics · Jul 5, 2023

BirdFish5000 said:
Cool, please keep us updated. I ask because I am conscious about disease/parasite control, and inverts in systems with fish can bring along fish parasites. I am always looking for vendors that keep their inverts fishless and I know a lot of other people do too, so I think it would be a big benefit for all if you choose to go that route.

We will definitely keep that in mind

VegasReefer · Jul 5, 2023

As most items in this section will be cleanup crew, it would be cool to have a dedicated section to symbiotic relationships. Expanding on some of the earlier mentions, anemone crab, anemone shrimp, squat lobster, trapezia crab, pom pom crab, etc.

Kasrift · Jul 5, 2023

Jasonak said:
Clams haven't seen them around much lately.
Blue and orange electric hermits.
Strawberry crabs.
Acro crabs.
Porcelain crabs.
Ive heard good things about pitho crabs but have never seen them for sale.
Chocolate stars for my my Harlequin
A linka star that doesn't die LOL

Agree with most of these. Acro crabs would be awesome. Something that everyone gets from other hobbiests that is almost impossible to find for sale would be micro brittle stars.

Other things that are hard to find that are attractive and work well are money cowrie. Another snail that is a great worker is ox tongue nerites.

Christmas tree worms are also fun, but more of a coral import. I have no idea how breeding them would go, but people say when they have a rock that they have babies. I'll know at some point, had a rock with six worms for 2 months.

BirdFish5000 · Jul 5, 2023

TopShelfAquatics said:
We will definitely keep that in mind

Would definitely really have you stand out; there's definitely a market niche for isolated inverts

TopShelfAquatics · Jul 5, 2023

Kasrift said:
Agree with most of these. Acro crabs would be awesome. Something that everyone gets from other hobbiests that is almost impossible to find for sale would be micro brittle stars.

Other things that are hard to find that are attractive and work well are money cowrie. Another snail that is a great worker is ox tongue nerites.

Christmas tree worms are also fun, but more of a coral import. I have no idea how breeding them would go, but people say when they have a rock that they have babies. I'll know at some point, had a rock with six worms for 2 months.

We actually already breed and sell our own Micro Brittle stars. They are quite a popular item!

Aquacultured Micro Brittle Starfish | Top Shelf Aquatics

Aquacultured Micro Brittle Starfish - Discription: Size: 1/2 inch to 1 inch Harvested from TSA Farm systems. Highly effective cleanup crew for removing detritus, uneaten feed and scrubbing the | Top Shelf Aquatics | Your source for the largest selection of live coral and aquarium supplies

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TopShelfAquatics · Jul 5, 2023

Definitely some awesome suggestions. Some items I know are tricky to source, but we are always expanding our farm and are looking to breeding more inverts in house. Maybe we can figure out some of the harder to find inverts.