Underwater gems: What are the rewarding aspects of keeping invertebrates?

[Peace River]

Underwater gems: What are the rewarding aspects of keeping invertebrates?

Aquatic invertebrates cover a wide range of creatures includes clams, crabs, sea stars, shrimp, slugs, snails, worms, and so much more. Technically, corals and anemones also are invertebrates, but we tend to give them their own categories in the world of reef keeping. There are many rewarding and challenging aspects of adding invertebrates to your reef tank. Today let’s celebrate the rewards! Please share your thoughts about the rewarding aspects of keeping invertebrates in your tank.

Pro Tip: Whether you are selecting an invertebrate for its looks or its usefulness, make sure that you research the care and requirements to optimize its health. One resource is the R2R Saltwater Invert Discussion section where you will find sub-forums for general invertebrates, clams, and mantis shrimp.

Photo by @PacificEastAquaculture


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tckcorals.com


"100% premium aquacultured WYSIWYG corals."

 

[EgotisticObeseChihuahua]

I love inverts, even though I can't touch them (I have a shellfish allergy) but I still love them. I ordered some sexy dancing shrimp, and they should be coming on Friday or Thursday.

 

[bushdoc]

They are slimy( yes, Trochus, I am talking about you), cryptic ( mantis), food thieves and they stare at me ( it’s you blue-legged), but I still like them!

 

[JoJosReef]

All of the above!

 

[Fishy888]

Underwater gems: What are the rewarding aspects of keeping invertebrates?

Aquatic invertebrates cover a wide range of creatures includes clams, crabs, sea stars, shrimp, slugs, snails, worms, and so much more. Technically, corals and anemones also are invertebrates, but we tend to give them their own categories in the world of reef keeping. There are many rewarding and challenging aspects of adding invertebrates to your reef tank. Today let’s celebrate the rewards! Please share your thoughts about the rewarding aspects of keeping invertebrates in your tank.

Pro Tip: Whether you are selecting an invertebrate for its looks or its usefulness, make sure that you research the care and requirements to optimize its health. One resource is the R2R Saltwater Invert Discussion section where you will find sub-forums for general invertebrates, clams, and mantis shrimp.

View attachment 3140294
Photo by @PacificEastAquaculture


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tckcorals.com

"100% premium aquacultured WYSIWYG corals."

I have two peppermint shrimp but mine are Lysmata Bogessi. I also have about a dozen hermit crabs and one emerald crab. I love them all. I don’t see any difference in maintenance. They are great CUC members. They clean my rock quite well and look awesome doing it. They’re fun to watch too.

 

[Jwise]

I plan on putting a good bit of inverts into my display once my levels of nitrate come down which I am working on adjusting to get just right. Im going to get probably 4 nasarius snails, a Tuxedo urchin, Im doing some shrimp for extra food and fish waste, and Im defiantly loading my tank with copepods, if I have bristle worms it won't bother me because they are good at cleaning up uneaten food. I have a lot of tangs and a Foxface and will be getting a flame angel so I feed my display super heavily so I defiantly need them to help with extra pieces of food and waste that occurs in a mostly tang tank.

 

[Dburr1014]

I was checking everyone and then I saw all of the above and check that one too. LOL

 

[Hhaynie]

I think inverts are what sets saltwater apart from freshwater. all the worms, cnidarians, echinoderms, and crustaceans are the beating heart of the marine aquarium. As far as fish, scaping, or plants, freshwater takes it, but marine wins with inverts.

 

[Arthur_Dent]

If I could replace my live rock with a seething pile of inverts, I would. Bet.

 

[Starganderfish]

Snails, shrimps and crabs are awesome for Tank cleaning, especially sand sifters.
Abalones and Urchins are great for algae, though can make a mess of your corals and rock work.
Clams look great and help to filter the water.
Anemone’s are just beautiful and the symbiotic relationship with some fish are great. My clowns love my Bubble Tips even more than I do.

 

[vlangel]

I adore my inverts. I have feather duster and coco worms. I have shrimp, nassarius snails, a hermit crab, an atlantic cucumber, and a multitude of micro stars. I love just watching them but I also love how they benefit the tank.

 

[Zachary2008]

I have feather dusters, stars, astreas, Trochuses, emerald crabs, and red and blue legged hermit crabs. Would love to have a larger star like a chocolate chip, pistol shrimp, skunk cleaner shrimp, and a maxima clam. I love watching the blue legged hermit crabs.

 

[MECOMI]

All of the above! Fascinating creatures

 

[Zachary2008]

I forgot about my stomatella snail. Favorite creature in my tank.

 

[Bob E]

I like to see the Variety of life all around the tank and the benefit they can have for the health of the tank.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I was checking everyone and then I saw all of the above and check that one too. LOL

I started to check all of them as well until I noticed the all of the above haha

 

[Dave-T]

Underwater gems: What are the rewarding aspects of keeping invertebrates?

Aquatic invertebrates cover a wide range of creatures includes clams, crabs, sea stars, shrimp, slugs, snails, worms, and so much more. Technically, corals and anemones also are invertebrates, but we tend to give them their own categories in the world of reef keeping. There are many rewarding and challenging aspects of adding invertebrates to your reef tank. Today let’s celebrate the rewards! Please share your thoughts about the rewarding aspects of keeping invertebrates in your tank.

Pro Tip: Whether you are selecting an invertebrate for its looks or its usefulness, make sure that you research the care and requirements to optimize its health. One resource is the R2R Saltwater Invert Discussion section where you will find sub-forums for general invertebrates, clams, and mantis shrimp.

View attachment 3140294
Photo by @PacificEastAquaculture


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tckcorals.com

View attachment 3144727
"100% premium aquacultured WYSIWYG corals."

I want that clam! Anyone know what it is? Cool coloration.