If you have a reef tank, you’ll likely enjoy having a few snails in your tank as good company for your other invertebrates and as part of a cleanup crew. However, Vermetid snails are quite another matter. These snails are pests, and you must get rid of them immediately. But what’s so bad about Vermetid … Read more
Second only to the Caridean shrimp, the Emerald Crab is now one of the most popular crustaceans for saltwater aquariums. Their captivating color, robust character, and algae-eating distinction all have understandable allure. But what about the stories of Emerald Crabs eating coral and attacking fish? In this care guide, we’ll get to the bottom of … Read more
Skunk cleaner shrimp (aka. Pacific cleaner shrimp) have been becoming ever-more popular in the aquarium trade, largely due to their fascinating cleaning habits. Not only do these colorful invertebrates help clean the aquarium of algae and leftover food, but they also offer a special cleaning service to your fish, freeing them from harmful bacteria and … Read more
If you’re looking for a peaceful, fun creature to add to your freshwater aquarium, you might want to consider the Pom Pom crab. These fully-aquatic crabs shouldn’t be confused with their marine counterparts, and they aren’t as readily available in the aquarium hobby as other species of micro crabs, so most hobbyists don’t know much … Read more
The Blood Red Fire Shrimp is one of the most striking creatures in the natural world with its deep red color, fragile grace, and fascinating cleaning behavior. So, it’s little wonder these tiny creatures are among the most sought-after in the marine aquarium hobby. Read this comprehensive guide to learn more about the Fire Shrimp, … Read more
Aquatic snails are the perfect animals to use as cleanup crew members and for providing company for territorial or semi-aggressive fish that don’t do well with regular tank mates. Aquarium snails come in lots of different sizes, colors, and patterns, are easy to care for, are readily available, and they’re beginner-friendly, too. When you add … Read more
One theory as to how mystery snails got their name is the phenomenal rate at which they breed. One day you have just two snails, and the next you wonder how you have two hundred of them! But if you want your mystery snails to successfully reproduce, you may be concerned about their eggs drying … Read more
Mystery snails make an excellent addition to most freshwater tanks! These colorful snails are helpful to the hobbyist because they graze on detritus, leftover fish food, and some algae species, keeping the tank tidy. In addition, the Mystery snail can make a peaceful companion for feisty fish, such as bettas, and these harmless mollusks are … Read more
If you’ve noticed your mystery snail’s shell becoming thinner, more pale, cracked, deformed, or damaged, it may be suffering from snail shell erosion or ‘shell rot’. This can be due to several factors, but acidic water is often one of the root causes. Here I’ll run you through some of the main causes of shell … Read more
Did you know that there’s a shrimp that can actually break glass? Well, there is a remarkable crustacean that can do exactly that! The beautifully colored Mantis shrimp is a tiny underwater vandal with a big reputation! So, what are Mantis shrimp? Are Mantis shrimp safe to keep? And can a Mantis shrimp harm a … Read more
Some hobbyists feed live worms to their fish from time to time as a tasty, nutritious treat. That’s a great idea, provided you obtain the worms from a reliable source so that you know the critters are disease free before offering them to your pets. But what does it mean if you discover black worms … Read more
One day recently, I was about to feed my fish when I noticed a whole bunch of tiny little creatures on the glass. I realized that the critters were copepods. But how did they get into my aquarium? Could these tiny bugs harm my fish? And what benefits can their presence bring to my fish … Read more
Many aquarists dread discovering snails living in their fish tank. After all, snails are destructive creatures that eat your plants, right? Well, that can be the case with species such as pond snails or bubble snails that hitchhike their way into your tank hidden in plants. However, Mystery snails are not only attractive, but they … Read more
We all know cuttlebones are good for parakeets, but snails? Yes! Aquarium snails such as mystery snails, nerite snails, and rabbit snails can all benefit from having cuttlebones in their tank. Cuttlebones are not only a healthy snack for these pet invertebrates, but they can also help adjust the water parameters to favorable conditions for … Read more
The Hydra is the scourge of many fish tanks and is definitely not a creature that you want to have in your aquarium, especially if you have small fish or a breeder tank. This guide explains how to identify, eliminate, and prevent a Hydra population from invading your setup! Ancient Origins The original Hydra monster … Read more
