Invertebrates for Beginners
These are marine invertebrates proven to be hardy, undemanding, and well-suited for the beginning hobbyist. Invertebrates are sensitive to copper-based medications and should not be housed in aquariums treated with cooper sulfate. Sea Stars and Fan Worms do best in well-established aquariums. The diet of Fan Worms should be supplemented with foods designed for filter-feeding invertebrates.
Invertebrates for Beginners list ..
1-Banded Coral Shrimp
Stenopus hispidus
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 3"
Color Form: Red, White
Diet: Carnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Caribbean, Cebu, Hawaii, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Sumatra
Family: Stenopodidae
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.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 2-1/2" Pair: 3/4" to 2-1/2"
2-Banded Coral Shrimp, Gold
Stenopus zanzibaricus
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 2½"
Color Form: Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Caribbean, Indonesia, Maldives
Family: Stenopodidae
The Gold Banded Coral Shrimp has a yellow body, white chelae, and a red and white banded abdomen. Members of the Stenopodidae family are called "Boxing Shrimp" because of their large pinchers on their third set of legs. They often hold these pinchers erect, giving the appearance of a boxer ready to fight.
Sufficient room should be provided in the tank to allow the Gold Banded Coral Shrimp to move without its long antennae touching neighboring corals or anemones. The Gold Banded Coral Shrimp must be kept singly, or as a true mated pair, being intolerant of others of the same species. It may also harass other smaller shrimp of different species. It is relatively hardy, but must be acclimated slowly using the Drip Method to avoid any salinity and/or pH shock. It is intolerant of high nitrates or copper levels, but iodine levels in the water must be correct to promote proper molting.
Breeding the Gold Banded Coral Shrimp is usually not successful. Larvae are generally destroyed by filtration and skimming.
In the wild, the Gold Banded Coral Shrimp feeds on parasites, dead tissue removed from fish, and other tiny organisms. In the home aquarium, it will accept most flaked and frozen foods, plankton, and meaty items. Banded Coral Shrimp are also effective bristleworm hunters in the reef aquarium, helping to keep the population of these pests under control.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small 3/4" to 1-1/4" Medium 1 1/4" to 1 3/4" Large 1 3/4" to 2 1/2"
3-Banded Coral Shrimp, Yellow
Stenopus cyanoscelis
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 1½"
Color Form: Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Stenopodidae
The Yellow Banded Coral Shrimp, also known as the Caribbean Boxing Shrimp, has a yellow body and legs, while the chelae and abdomen have red and sometimes white and red bands. Members of the Stenopodidae are called "Boxing Shrimp" because of the large pinchers on their third set of legs. They often hold these pinchers erect, giving the appearance of a boxer ready to fight.
Sufficient room should be provided in the tank to allow the Yellow Banded Coral Shrimp to move with its long antennae. The Yellow Banded Coral Shrimp must be kept singly, or as a true mated pair, being intolerant of others of the same species. It may also harass other smaller shrimp of different species. It is relatively hardy, but must be acclimated slowly to avoid any salinity and/or pH shock. It is intolerant of high nitrates or copper levels, but iodine levels in the water must be correct to promote proper molting.
Breeding the Yellow Banded Coral Shrimp is usually not successful. Larvae are generally destroyed by filtration and skimming.
In the wild, the Yellow Banded Coral Shrimp feeds on parasites, dead tissue removed from fish, and other tiny organisms. In the home aquarium, it will accept most flaked and frozen foods, plankton, and meaty items. Banded Coral Shrimp are also effective bristleworm hunters in the reef aquarium, helping to keep the population of these pests under control.
4-Blood Red Fire Shrimp
Lysmata debelius
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 2"
Color Form: Red, White
Diet: Carnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia, Sri Lanka
Family: Hippolytidae
The Blood Red Fire Shrimp, also known as Blood Shrimp, Fire Shrimp, or Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp, is one of the most popular shrimp in the aquarium hobby. It has a blood-red body with white spots and long white antennae. Depending on which region of the Indo-Pacific from which it originates, it may have the white dots just on its carapace, or covering its entire body.
The Blood Red Fire Shrimp prefers a habitat providing it with a cave or overhang where the lighting is not too intense. While it will tolerate its mate, others of its own kind will be chased away or harassed. It is generally peaceful with most other organisms in the reef system unless they impinge on its territory. As a "cleaner shrimp," it will set up cleaning stations and remove dead tissue and parasites from fish that present themselves. It will also scavenge for meaty bits along the substrate bottom. Often, only its antennae will be visible. It will not tolerate copper or high levels of nitrates in the aquarium, but will require correct levels of iodine in the water to promote proper molting.
The diet of the Blood Red Fire Shrimp should include freeze-dried, live or frozen foods, and flaked foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 3/4" to 1" Medium: 1" to 1-1/2" Large: 1-1/2" to 2"
5-Blue Tuxedo Urchin
Mespilia globulus
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 3"
Color Form: Black, Blue, Red, Tan
Diet: Herbivore
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Temnopleuridae
The Blue Tuxedo Urchin, also known as the Sphere Urchin or Globe Urchin, has five to ten broad-colored bands usually blue or black, with red, brown, or dark spines. This very striking combination, gives it the "formal" look and thus the name "Tuxedo Urchin."
During the day, it will hide among the rocks, in crevices, or under plants in a sandy substrate. At night, it will emerge to graze on the algae present in or near its home. The Tuxedo Pincushion Urchin generally roams alone, but several of them could be housed in the same aquarium if it is large enough to provide them with adequate food (algae) and shelter. It is sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and it will not tolerate high nitrate levels. If it starts to lose a number of spines, it is often due to poor water conditions.
If algae levels are particularly low, its diet will need to be supplemented with dried seaweed.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small 1-1/2" to 2" Medium 2" to 3"
6-Brittle Sea Star, Fancy
Ophiure protoreaster
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 10"
Color Form: Tan
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Trace Elements
Origin: Indonesia, Tonga
Family: Ophiuridae
The Fancy Brittle Star originates from the reefs of Tonga and the Indo Pacific, and is a great scavenger for the marine aquarium. The central disc is brown to green in color and may exhibit dark patterns. The legs are long and are banded with light and dark brown coloration. The legs also have many spines that aid the starfish in finding food.
The Fancy Brittle Star enjoys an established saltwater aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding. It is nocturnal and often hides under the rocks during the day. At night, it comes out to eat detritus and small organisms. It cannot tolerate copper-based medications.
In the aquarium it may be fed zooplankton, very finely chopped meaty items, and liquid invertebrate foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3" to 6"
7-Bumble Bee Snail
Engina sp.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: ½"
Color Form: Black, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore, Detritus, Omnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Marshall Islands
Family: Buccinidae
The tiny Bumble Bee Snail benefits most marine reef aquariums in big ways. Heralded for their small size and beautiful coloration, Engina sp. 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.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1/4" to 1/2"
8-Camel Shrimp
Rhynchocinetes durbanensis
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025, 64-77° F
Max. Size: 2"
Color Form: Red
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Family: Rhynchocinetidae
The Camel Shrimp is also known as the Hinge-beak Shrimp, Dancing Shrimp, or Candy Shrimp. It is distinguished by a moveable rostrum (beak) that is usually angled upwards. The Camel Shrimp has a variable pattern of red and white stripes on its body. The males of its species tend to have larger chelipeds (claws) than the females.
It prefers to congregate with other shrimp of its kind in rock crevasses, under overhangs, or in the coral rubble. It especially needs hiding places when it is molting. It usually tolerates other shrimp, but may nip at colonial anemones, disc anemones, and soft leather corals. It generally leaves bubble coral and stinging anemones alone.
The Camel Shrimp will accept brine shrimp, frozen or freeze-dried plankton, and flaked food.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"
9-Cowrie, Tiger
Cypraea tigris
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 4"
Color Form: Assorted, Black, Tan, White
Diet: Carnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Cypraeidae
The Tiger Cowrie has an egg-shaped, spotted, glossy shell and is in high demand for the rock aquarium. It differs in color depending upon geographical location. While it does not have an operculum to shut when it retracts its mantle into its shell, the opening is lined with "threatening" tooth-like structures. Normally, the mantle will completely cover its shell unless it feels threatened. This helps it keep its lustrous white and brown mottled coloration, while its mantle will appear like a fingerprint of black and gray, with many short papillae over the surface.
In the wild, it can be found under rocks or resting on soft corals during the day, foraging for food mostly at night. The Tiger Cowrie prefers a rock aquarium with hiding places. While small, it will eat some algae and scavenge for scraps, but as an adult, it will eat some anemones, sponges, and soft corals, and is best housed with starfish, sea urchins, and tubeworms in the reef aquarium. Do not house it with Condylactis sp. It needs low nitrate levels and will not tolerate copper-based medications.
The diet of a large Tiger Cowrie should be supplemented with pieces of fish and mussel, and a product such asTetraTips.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"; Large: 3" to 4"
10-Dwarf Colored Feather Duster
Bispira sp.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Waterflow: Medium
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 4"
Color Form: Red, White, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Sabellidae
The Dwarf Colored Feather Duster is exquisite in both form and shape. Its fan-shaped radiole is a gorgeous pink, white, or yellow color that dresses any aquarium. Because it will grow only up to 4", this species of Bispira is suited for any sized aquarium.
Like other members of the Sabellidae family, the Dwarf Colored Feather Duster uses its radiole to filter out small floating organisms, which it directs toward its mouth, located at the center of the crown. The Dwarf Colored Feather Duster protects its segmented body by secreting a parchment tube to cover itself. When it is disturbed or threatened, it can quickly pull its radiole into the tube. If the Dwarf Colored Feather Duster is severely stressed, it will discard its crown, growing it back later.
The Dwarf Colored Feather Duster is usually found in the coral rubble at the base of the reef, with some of the rubble being incorporated into its parchment-like tubes. It requires a well-established reef system since it is dependent upon floating plankton for its diet.
Supplemental feeding of phytoplankton and liquid organic foods should be provided. Like other invertebrates, the Dwarf Colored Feather Duster is very intolerant of copper-based medications and fluctuations in water parameters.
Looking for the best food to feed your Fan Worms and Feather Dusters? We recommend AlgaGen Acartia tonsa,AlgaGen Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus, AlgaGen Parvocalanus crassirostris, AlgaGen Tangerine Pod,AlgaGen Moina salina, AlgaGen PhycoPure™ Reef Blend,AlgaGen Decap'd Brine™, and AlgaGen Rotifers.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2" to 4"
11-Electric Blue Hermit Crab
Calcinus elegans
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 2"
Color Form: Black, Blue, Orange
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia, Marshall Islands
Family: Diogenidae
The Electric Blue Hermit Crab, a very rare find, originates exclusively from the Marshall Islands. This crab has electrifying blue legs with black banding, and its antennae stand out with its bright orange color. Both claws are close to being equal size, and are brownish green in color. This tiny crab lives in abandoned snail or triton shells, or it may resort to attacking and eating a snail so it can use the shell for its home.
The Electric Blue Leg Hermit Crab is a valuable addition to an aquarium because it will eat algae including green hair algae and cyanobacteria. In addition, it provides valuable aeration by sifting through the sand. This is one Hermit Crab that is reef-safe.
If there is an insufficient amount of algae present, the Electric Blue Leg Hermit Crab will need to be fed dried seaweed.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"
12-Electric Orange Hermit Crab
Calcinus cf elegans
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 2"
Color Form: Blue, Orange, Tan
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Hawaiian Islands
Family: Diogenidae
The Electric Orange Hermit Crab is a colorful cleaner for the marine aquarium. It has bright orange legs with brown banding. Unlike many members of the Diogenidae family, however, the Electric Orange Hermit Crab has unusually blue eyes. Like its Electric Blue cousin, this hermit crab grows to a considerable 2" size and consumes large amounts of algae, uneaten fish food, and detritus in your aquarium.
The Electric Orange Hermit Crab is native to the Hawaiian Islands. Wild species make its home in abandoned snail or triton shells and pick amongst substrate and reef crevices for algae, seaweed, and other food sources. In the home aquarium, the Electric Orange Hermit Crab requires a similar, well-established environment with live rock outcroppings to forage amongst. With its voracious appetite for algae, the Electric Orange Hermit Crab will help keep green hair algae and cyanobacteria levels diminished in the aquarium. As an added benefit, this species ofCalcinus also helps aerate your aquarium substrate as it sifts through the sand in search of food sources.
Many aquarists supply dried seaweed to keep hungry Electric Orange Hermit Crabs fed when algae levels are insufficient. The Electric Orange Hermit Crab also benefits from meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp. In addition, accommodate molting and growth with a variety of empty and larger shells. Though hardy, the Electric Orange Hermit Crab does not tolerate copper-based medications or fluctuating water parameters.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"
13-Feather Duster
Sabellastarte sp.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Waterflow: Medium
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 7"
Color Form: Orange, Tan
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Hawaii, Indo-Pacific
Family: Sabellidae
The Feather Duster, also known as Giant Feather Duster, has a fan-shaped crown (radiole) that is tan or orange with brown band colorations. The radiole of some species from certain locales may be up to 7 inches in diameter, or of brighter colors.
The Feather Duster uses the radiole to filter out small floating organisms, which it directs toward its mouth, located at the center of the crown. It protects its segmented body by secreting a parchment-like tube to cover itself. When it is disturbed, it can quickly pull in its radiole into the tube. If it is severely stressed, it will discard its crown, growing it back later.
The Feather Duster is usually found in the coral rubble at the base of the reef aquarium, with some of the rubble being incorporated into its parchment-like tube. It needs to be housed in a well-established reef system as it is dependent upon plankton for its diet. It is very intolerant of copper-based medications.
Supplemental feeding of phytoplankton and liquid organic foods should be provided.
Looking for the best food to feed your Fan Worms and Feather Dusters? We recommend AlgaGen Acartia tonsa,AlgaGen Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus, AlgaGen Parvocalanus crassirostris, AlgaGen Tangerine Pod,AlgaGen Moina salina, AlgaGen PhycoPure™ Reef Blend,AlgaGen Decap'd Brine™, and AlgaGen Rotifers.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2-1/4" to 3-1/2"
