Inverts For Beginners

The Peppermint Shrimp is best known for its natural ability to manage nuisance Aiptasia, or glass anemones. Keep in mind that some individual Peppermint Shrimp are better at managing aiptasia while others may not be interested in aiptasia at all. Though considered part of the "cleaner" grouping of shrimp, Lysmata wurdemanni is more of a scavenger. The Peppermint Shrimp picks its way around your aquarium and live rock to consume detritus, uneaten food, and decomposing organic material. This ornamental member of the Hippolytidae family is brightly colored with a clear or creamy white body striped with several thin and distinct longitudinal red bands. Also known as the Veined or Caribbean Cleaner Shrimp, the Peppermint Shrimp is sometimes confused with its Pacific cousin, Rhynchocinetes durbanensis. However, that shrimp has a pointed nose and inter-spaced white stripes over its body. In the wild, Peppermint Shrimp are usually found in the vertical shafts of the reef. Some even take up residence in the core of pipe sponges. The Peppermint Shrimp does best in home aquariums with live rock, ample places to hide, as well as open areas to scavenge. Peppermint Shrimp are very social and peaceful towards most reef inhabitants. Like other invertebrates, the Peppermint Shrimp cannot tolerate copper-based medications or high nitrate levels. It also requires supplemental iodine to encourage proper molting of its carapace. In addition to what it obtains from scavenging, the diet of the Peppermint Shrimp should consist of most types of prepared foods and the occasional pieces of fresh fish. The Peppermint Shrimp has been successfully bred by commercial fish farms, and can be bred in the home aquarium. Rearing the larvae requires specialized feeds and care outside of the display aquarium. The Western Atlantic Peppermint Shrimp complex Lysmata wurdemanni has been reclassified in 2006 by Andrew L. Rhyne and Junda Lin based on their morphology and color pattern. In general, peppermint shrimp from different regions can easily be identified to species level by their color patterns. Our peppermint shrimp are from either the Florida Keys or the Gulf of Mexico and are most often Lysmata boggessi, a species proven to consume Aiptaisa (Rhyne et al. 2004). We occasionally receive other species from the Lysmata wurdemanni complex. We have consulted with Dr. Rhyne and he has confirmed that all species of peppermint shrimp he has tested in the laboratory consume Aiptasia. Differences in exact collection location often dictates what species we have in stock. The exact species that will be shipped to your door is one of the following listed below. The exact species you receive will vary based on the time of year, weather conditions, freight space, and inventory levels. All of the following species make ideal scavengers and prey on the pest anemone Aiptasia pallida.

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The Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crab is a highly active and efficient scavenger, making it an excellent addition to any marine or reef aquarium cleanup crew. Closely related to the Blue Leg Hermit Crab, this small omnivore constantly explores live rock and sand beds, reaching tight spaces to consume algae, detritus, and leftover food. Also known as the Red Tip Hermit Crab, this species is easily recognized by its bright red legs and face. It belongs to a group often called “equal-handed hermit crabs,” as both claws are similar in size and function. Native to the coastal waters of Mexico, this hardy invertebrate thrives in well-established reef or fish-only systems with sandy substrates, where it actively forages and helps maintain a clean and balanced environment. Benefits in the Aquarium: Excellent algae and detritus cleaner Helps aerate and stir the sand bed Supports beneficial bacterial growth Reaches tight spaces other cleanup crew cannot Habitat & Care: The Red Tip Hermit Crab lives in empty snail shells of various sizes, so it is important to provide extra empty shells to support its growth and natural behavior. It should be kept in a mature aquarium with stable conditions and plenty of live rock and algae for grazing. If natural food sources are limited, dried seaweed or algae-based foods can be offered as a supplement. Important Care Notes: Acclimate slowly to avoid pH shock Keep only in copper-free systems Avoid predatory tank mates Ensure a stable, reef-safe environment

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The Blue Leg Hermit Crab is one of the most popular and effective members of any reef aquarium clean-up crew. Known for its striking blue legs and active behavior, this small hermit crab plays an important role in maintaining a clean and balanced marine environment. Blue Leg Hermit Crabs are excellent scavengers that feed on algae, uneaten food, and detritus, helping reduce waste buildup and prevent nuisance algae growth. They are reef-safe and suitable for most marine aquariums, including nano and large reef systems. Key Benefits Controls algae growth in reef tanks Consumes leftover food and waste Reef-safe with corals and most tank mates Active and interesting behavior Care Requirements Tank Type: Marine / Reef Aquarium Temperament: Peaceful (may fight for shells) Diet: Algae, detritus, leftover food Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons Special Note: Provide extra empty shells to prevent aggression In Jordan, reef hobbyists commonly add Blue Leg Hermit Crabs as part of a balanced clean-up crew to maintain water quality and reduce manual cleaning. At ReefAmorous, we offer healthy Blue Leg Hermit Crabs with guidance on acclimation and care to ensure success in your reef aquarium.

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The Spiny Star Astraea Snail has a unique shell and a ravenous appetite for algae. Unlike many bottom dwellers that are dressed in drab colors to better camouflage themselves against the sand bottoms, Astraea phoebia boasts a pyramid-shape shell with beautiful, green, yellow, and tan coloration. The Spiny Star Astraea boasts pronounced projections on their shells creating a sculptured spiral star shape that is sure to dazzle the eye. Though interesting to observe in your home aquarium, the Spiny Star Astraea Snail serves a greater function of cleaning algae-covered live rock. It is very adept at keeping your aquarium clean. In fact, this small herbivore prefers to feed on nuisance hair algae, as well as cyanobacteria and diatoms. Some aquarists also report that the Spiny Star Astraea Snail actually consumes the entire hair algae structure, which helps prevent immediate further algae growth. The Spiny Star Astraea prefers established aquariums with ample hiding places and sufficient room to roam. In addition to eating algae off of your live rock, this member of the Astraeinae family will also clean your aquarium glass. However, the Spiny Star Astraea Snail is not known to be a climber like other smaller-shelled snail species. Care needs to be taken to observe the daily activities of this hungry snail since it has difficulty righting itself if it falls or is knocked upside down. Like other invertebrates, the Spiny Star Astraea Snail is sensitive to high nitrate levels and will not tolerate copper-based medications. The Spiny Star Astraea Snail requires a gradual acclimation period, preferably the drip acclimation method (often over two hours), since it cannot tolerate even minute changes in water parameters. If sufficient food levels are not present, supplement the diet with blanched spinach or lettuce and vegetable-based tablet foods.

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The Sand Sifting Sea Star, at first glance, seems to be drably colored like most bottom dwellers. But closer inspection reveals a striking beauty and serenity to the alternating bands of brown and beige that dress this invertebrate's thick, spine-covered arms. Like other starfish, Astropecten polycanthus efficiently consumes mass amounts of detritus and uneaten foods. This nocturnally active member of the Astropectinidae family can move large amounts of sand as it burrows into the substrate in its search for food. This peaceful omnivore will effectively clean even the largest home aquarium of detritus and left over food. Like other starfish, the Sand Sifting Sea Star will also consume small invertebrates, including shrimp, urchins, mollusks, bivalves, or other small sea stars. As such, the Sand Sifting Sea Star should be actively fed a varied diet consisting of natural food sources, especially in well-established marine aquariums. Otherwise, this voracious feeder will quickly clean your aquarium of detritus and then burrow into your substrate, starve, and eventually begin to decay. To foster its feeding habits, the Sand Sifting Sea Star should be kept in aquariums with large, deep sand bottoms of several inches in depth. Since it is slower moving than most fish, the Sand Sifting Sea Star should not be housed with natural predators, including Puffers. Like other invertebrates, the Sand Sifting Sea Star is very intolerant of sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity, and pH and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. To successfully acclimate new specimens to your aquarium, use the drip acclimation method and never expose the Sand Sifting Sea Star to air while handling. Breeding in the home aquarium is extremely difficult with no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate between males and females.

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The tiny Bumble Bee Snail benefits most marine reef aquariums in big ways. Heralded for their small size and beautiful coloration, Pusiostoma mendicaria can get into small crevices and tight locations between rockwork. Here, they clean away detritus, including uneaten meaty foods and decomposing organisms. This tiny member of the Buccinidae family also burrows into your sand bed, consumes sand-dwelling worms, and helps aerate your substrate. Plus, with its striking black shell, striped in elegant white to yellow bands, the Bumble Bee Snail is indeed beautiful to observe. For best care, offer ample hiding places with large areas to roam. The Bumble Bee Snail prefers to consume foods off of live rock and deep sand beds where it can forage for food undisturbed. Like other invertebrates, the Bumble Bee Snail is sensitive to copper-based medications, high nitrate levels, and even the slightest fluctuation in water parameters. Though peaceful, keep in mind that the Bumble Bee Snail is a carnivore. If there is insufficient food, the Bumble Bee Snail may feed on other snails in your aquarium or indiscriminately consume polychaetes whether beneficial or the more troublesome bristleworm. In well-established systems, most Bumble Bee Snails do not require supplemental feeding. However, if sufficient food sources are unavailable, supplement their diet with offerings of meaty foods, including finely chopped brine or mysis shrimp and frozen meaty foods. The Bumble Bee Snail is extremely difficult to breed in the aquarium, partly because there are no distinguishing characteristics between Bumble Bee Snail sexes.

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The Banded Coral Shrimp catches the eyes of most aquarists with their beautiful coloration and body shape. It has striking red and white bands across its body with fairly long pinchers and extra long white antennae. Combined with its prickly body texture, this peaceful member of the Stenopodidae family brings interest to any marine aquarium. However, most hobbyists praise Stenopus hispidus for its active nature as it scampers around the aquarium in search of food. Interestingly, members of the Stenopodidae family are known as "Boxing Shrimp" because of the large pinchers on their third set of legs. These pinchers are often held erect and give the Banded Coral Shrimp the appearance of a boxer ready to fight. Though the Banded Coral Shrimp can be aggressive towards other Banded Coral Shrimp and smaller shrimp of different species, most are peaceful towards fish, corals, and invertebrates within your aquarium. Because of its aggressive disposition towards other Banded Coral Shrimp, the Banded Coral Shrimp should be housed individually or kept as a true mated pair. Native to the oceans of Indonesia, Stenopus hispidus is perhaps the most widely distributed shrimp in the sea. It usually hangs upside-down in caves or crevices, with only its antennae emerging from the hole. While molting, the Banded Coral Shrimp will often hide from sight for 1-2 days in the rocks of the reef. In the home aquarium, provide sufficient room for the Banded Coral Shrimp so it can move about freely without its long antennae touching neighboring corals or anemones. The Banded Coral Shrimp is relatively hardy and boasts an aquarium-suited length that rarely exceeds 3 inches, 6 inches with the antennae. The male Banded Coral Shrimp is usually smaller. Breeding the Banded Coral Shrimp is usually not successful. Larvae generally succumb to filtration and skimming. Like other invertebrates, the Banded Coral Shrimp is intolerant of high nitrate or copper levels. Be sure to maintain proper iodine levels in the aquarium to help ensure proper molting. The Banded Coral Shrimp must be acclimated slowly to avoid any salinity and/or pH shock. In the wild, the Banded Coral Shrimp is a scavenger. In the home aquarium, it will accept most flaked and frozen foods.

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The Sally Lightfoot Crab is a fast, active, and highly mobile marine crab commonly found in reef and saltwater aquariums. It is well known for its bright coloration, agility, and constant movement across rocks, glass, and aquarium surfaces. In nature, this species inhabits tropical and subtropical coastal regions, where it plays an important role in controlling algae and consuming organic detritus. Feeding & Behavior: Omnivorous scavenger feeding on algae and leftover food Helps clean live rock and aquarium glass surfaces Extremely active and fast-moving May hide among rocks when stressed or threatened Care Requirements: Stable, mature marine aquarium Plenty of live rock for grazing and shelter Supplemental feeding if algae is insufficient Peaceful tank environment preferred Important Notes: Very fast and can be difficult to catch May occasionally disturb small or weak tank inhabitants if underfed Generally reef safe but should be monitored in delicate setups Best suited for aquariums with compatible tank mates

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The Porcelain Anemone Crab is a beautiful and peaceful reef-safe invertebrate commonly found in marine aquariums. It is best known for its delicate appearance and its unique feeding behavior, where it filters food particles directly from the water using its fan-like front claws. In the wild, this crab is often found living in close association with sea anemones, using them as shelter and protection while benefiting from food carried by water currents. Feeding & Behavior: Filter feeder that consumes fine food particles from the water Uses specialized fan-like claws to capture plankton and suspended foods Typically lives within or near sea anemones Extremely peaceful and non-aggressive Care Requirements: Stable and mature reef aquarium Moderate water flow to carry food particles Optional but beneficial: sea anemone host Supplemental feeding may be needed in low-nutrient systems Important Notes: Fully reef safe and safe with corals Requires clean, stable water conditions May spend most of its time hiding in anemones or rock structures

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The Emerald Crab (Mithraculus sculptus) is one of the most popular reef-safe algae-eating crabs in marine aquariums. Known for its striking green color and small size, this crab is highly effective at controlling nuisance algae, especially bubble algae. It spends most of its time picking algae from live rock and hard-to-reach areas, making it a valuable member of any reef tank cleanup crew. Benefits: Eats bubble algae and film algae Helps maintain clean live rock Reef-safe when well-fed Small and active cleaner Care Notes: Provide stable reef environment Feed if algae is limited Avoid aggressive tank mates Keep in mature aquariums

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