Unique and interesting clean up / inverts?!

[Be102]

I am interested in adding some new inverts and little creatures to my tank in the future and wanted some ideas of different things people have!
I am not talking about typical cleaner shrimp or the average Scarlett hermit crab but rather different types of creatures that we don’t see very often!

large hermit crabs?
Cool starfish?
Snails?
Shrimp?
Urchins!?

 

[SlipperyWhipple]

To be honest, I have been trying to grow a good population of copepods and amphipods and recently I've noticed some amphipods alive and well in my sump and I am loving it. I know its not necessarily the obvious choice for a cleanup crew but they do eat algae and detritus even if it may not be on the scale of other CUC's.

 

[Be102]

To be honest, I have been trying to grow a good population of copepods and amphipods and recently I've noticed some amphipods alive and well in my sump and I am loving it. I know its not necessarily the obvious choice for a cleanup crew but they do eat algae and detritus even if it may not be on the scale of other CUC's.

I’ve been interested in ordering @AlgaeBarn pod packs. I just don’t really know which to order / what to choose from between plankton and stuff so have been putting it off!! lol

 

[H3rm1tCr@b]

Well, I have some ideas. I would start by checking out reefcleaners.org , I've heard great things about them and they have some cool critters. I would also highly recommend checking out the Divers Den section of Liveaquaria.com. I'll make a list of some neat invertebrates that might fit your tank.
- pitho decorator crab
- staghorn hermit crab (shell is encrusted with briozoans that need filter feeder foods to keep alive. The crab itself is pretty easy)
- arrow crab (might harass small fish and shrimp)
- anemone crab
- anemone shrimp
- saron shrimp (depending on species may pick at coral)
- hairy chiton
- chestnut cowrie
- money cowrie
- globe urchin
- red serpent starfish
- brittle starfish (avoid the green and yellow, they might eat fish)
- flame scallop (difficult to keep, need a lot of filter feeder foods)
- tunicates (same as flame scallop)
- sponges (same as flame scallop)
- blue coral banded shrimp
- gold coral banded shrimp
- orange turbo snails
- zig zag periwinkle snails
- dwarf planaxis snails
- cerith snails (any type, super hardy)
- sea hare (large tank with lots of algae only)
- lettuce sea slug (need the correct food source to live, and a lot of it)
- limpets (should be okay but not 100% sure about SPS coral)
- tiny brittle starfish, chitons, etc.

Aaaaannnndddd that's all I could come up with at the moment. Make sure to research how many of a critter to get and what they are compatible with. If done correctly, you could keep a menagerie of invertebrates together!
-

 

[SlipperyWhipple]

I’ve been interested in ordering @AlgaeBarn pod packs. I just don’t really know which to order / what to choose from between plankton and stuff so have been putting it off!! lol

I ordered the refugium starter pack and I do not regret it. It was expensive but it gives you phyto, pods, chaeto, bio blocks, and fritz turbo. Check it out.

 

[Be102]

Well, I have some ideas. I would start by checking out reefcleaners.org , I've heard great things about them and they have some cool critters. I would also highly recommend checking out the Divers Den section of Liveaquaria.com. I'll make a list of some neat invertebrates that might fit your tank.
- pitho decorator crab
- staghorn hermit crab (shell is encrusted with briozoans that need filter feeder foods to keep alive. The crab itself is pretty easy)
- arrow crab (might harass small fish and shrimp)
- anemone crab
- anemone shrimp
- saron shrimp (depending on species may pick at coral)
- hairy chiton
- chestnut cowrie
- money cowrie
- globe urchin
- red serpent starfish
- brittle starfish (avoid the green and yellow, they might eat fish)
- flame scallop (difficult to keep, need a lot of filter feeder foods)
- tunicates (same as flame scallop)
- sponges (same as flame scallop)
- blue coral banded shrimp
- gold coral banded shrimp
- orange turbo snails
- zig zag periwinkle snails
- dwarf planaxis snails
- cerith snails (any type, super hardy)
- sea hare (large tank with lots of algae only)
- lettuce sea slug (need the correct food source to live, and a lot of it)
- limpets (should be okay but not 100% sure about SPS coral)
- tiny brittle starfish, chitons, etc.

Aaaaannnndddd that's all I could come up with at the moment. Make sure to research how many of a critter to get and what they are compatible with. If done correctly, you could keep a menagerie of invertebrates together!
-

This is great thank you!!

 

[S2G]

I really like urchins. I have a pink pincushion that's the size of my fist that I think is unique.

Pencil urchins are really unique looking. I sexy shrimp look cool

 

[Be102]

Bump!

 

[Terry Mattson]

Red and blue tuxcedo Urchin. I have 1 each. Doing good so far.

 

[Be102]

Red and blue tuxcedo Urchin. I have 1 each. Doing good so far.

Pics!

 

[Terry Mattson]

Pics!

Will attempt photo tomorrow. Lights are out now.

 

[Terry Mattson]

Will attempt photo tomorrow. Lights are out now.

Here are my tuxedo Urchins!

 

[Terry Mattson]

Here are my tuxedo Urchins!

These Urchins like to pick up snails, shells, and algea to camouflage themselves.

 

[Wolf89]

Elephant snails!