We spend a lot of time, energy, and money in this hobby to create and maintain the proper aquarium conditions to keep our fish and corals happy. It just turns out that those conditions are also generally quite good at growing algae. Adding one or more of these interesting invertebrates …
The Bristle Worm: Your Ultimate Guide to This Pest
If you have ever seen a bristle worm in your reef tank, you probably agree they can be ugly little creatures. I’m pretty sure we’re genetically programmed to get creeped out by millipede-like invertebrates. And once you start looking, you’ll find TONS of energy and discussion about this lowly polychaete …
Harlequin Shrimp Care Guide
Harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera picta), in my opinion, are one of the most beautiful marine invertebrates in the world. Just take a look! They are mostly white with colorful spots all over their mantis-shaped body. In general, they grow to a maximum size of 2 inches. (Females come out significantly larger …
Aiptasia: Proven Pest or Unjustly Persecuted?
Last night, I performed a little surgery in my reef tank to eradicate a notorious pest in the saltwater aquarium world–I found the dreaded aiptasia anemone (sometimes spelled aptasia on forums) on a coral I recently purchased. After carefully inspecting the subject (a piece of live rock with mushroom corals …
Featherduster worm
Looking for an interesting invertebrate to add to your tank? Let’s take a look at the Feather duster worm, (also sometimes called a fan worm) to see if it’s a good fit. Table of contents If you are looking for something specific, you can use the Table of Contents below …
Berghia Nudibranch Aiptasia Control
The Berghia nudibranch, an outstanding natural way to control the aiptasia anemone “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” (ancient proverb) Those words sum up the essence of why the Berghia Nudibranch, Berghia stephanieae, is so popular in the aquarium hobby. The dreaded and maligned aiptasia anemone is generally considered to …
Keeping the Fire Shrimp: Lysmata debelius
The Blood Red Fire Shrimp is one of the most sought-after invertebrates in the saltwater aquarium hobby–because of the amazing color, delicate gracefulness, and fascinating cleaning behavior. Don’t take my word for it, take a look at this beautiful creature. Have you ever seen such a deep red color in the natural …
Coral Banded Shrimp: Stenopus hispidus
Introduction to the Coral Banded Shrimp The Stenopus hispidus, commonly known as Boxer Shrimp, Banded Cleaner Shrimp, or Coral Banded Shrimp, is a popular and inexpensive invertebrate to add to your tank. Like some of the other common saltwater aquarium shrimp, you may find that this little fella will be …
Peppermint Shrimp Care Guide
Peppermint shrimp are a brightly colored, inexpensive saltwater reef shrimp species that are often recommended to help control aiptasia anemone populations. But they are also a fun, interesting, easy-to-care for invertebrate that can add some color and variety to your reef tank. Let’s dive a bit deeper into what makes …
Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp care guide
While the name, Scarlet Skunk cleaner shrimp might sound like one of the smelliest and least interesting things you could add to your tank, I can assure you, there is nothing ordinary…or smelly…about them. It is by far the most popular of the aquarium cleaner shrimps, despite the unattractive name. …
