Saltwater invertebrates, or inverts, as the aquatic community call them, are essential creatures to have in your tank. Not only do they make an interesting talking point, but they are also fantastic tank cleaners. Some inverts, such as corals and sponges, filter the water, provide shelter, and help replicate a natural environment. Unfortunately, people often overlook inverts in new aquariums, but adding them has many benefits. So, if you want to diversify your tank, look at the list of the seven best saltwater invertebrates for your home aquarium below.
1. Anemones Provide Both Shelter and Enrichment
Anemones are the perfect inverts for saltwater aquariums because they provide shelter and environmental enrichment for pet fish. They are stunning, plant-like creatures and have a symbiotic relationship with many tank creatures. Anemones can move around the tank but will settle in one place when they find a good spot. They are filter cleaners and ingest microscopic particles that help keep the water clean.
Anemones must live in well-established tanks because they can’t deal with parameter changes in new environments. They need low to moderate water flow and high-protein food once a week; they aren’t ideal for first-time aquarium owners.
The most common saltwater anemones include the:
- Adhesive anemone
- Corkscrew anemone
- Bubble tip anemone
- Bearded anemone
2. Corals Offer Enrichment to Fish
Corals are an excellent addition to saltwater tanks because they provide hiding places, shelter, and mental stimulation for pet fish. They are colorful creatures, available in many varieties, and bestow a dazzling backdrop to home aquariums. Corals are a must for saltwater tanks as they help to maintain the ecosystem and have a close relationship with many tank creatures.
Though they may not seem like living creatures, corals are animals and need high-quality water and stable parameters. Some soft species slowly move around the tank, while others stay put. Technically, you can add coral to new tanks, but most fish keepers wait four to six months before introducing them.
Corals can be challenging to care for, so beginners should start with hardy types, such as:
- Star polyps
- Leather coral
- Bubble coral
- Trumpet coral
- Open brain coral
3. Hermit Crabs Eat Decomposing Tank Matter
Hermit crabs are next on our list of the best saltwater invertebrates for your home aquarium. These unique creatures are outstanding tank cleaners and eat everything from leftover food to dead creatures. The small species, in particular, are experts at cleaning hard-to-reach places that other tank cleaners miss. Hermit crabs are fascinating to watch and provide hours of entertainment.
Hermits come in many colors and usually have bright markings, making them stand out. They may kill tank snails, so ensure you have a high ratio of snails to hermits. Large hermits tend to damage plants and move items in the aquarium, so ideally, choose ones that grow no larger than two inches, such as the:
- Blue-legged hermit
- Red-legged hermit
- Blue-eyed hermit
- Scarlet hermit
- Halloween hermit
- Tiny hermits
4. Shrimp Provide Cleaning Services for Fish
Shrimp are the best invertebrates for beginner keepers because most species are hardy and easy to care for. They are also the best saltwater invertebrates for small tanks. Shrimp are incredible tank cleaners because they aerate the tank substrate, remove parasites from their tankmates, and even tend to others’ injuries. Some species even set up “cleaning stations” for fish to visit.
Saltwater shrimp are brightly colored and eye-catching, and watching them vigorously clean their tank and tank mates will help to reduce stress. You must ensure they are compatible with tank inhabitants before introducing them. Some large shrimp may eat small fish, and large carnivorous fish may eat small shrimp.
The best shrimp for saltwater aquariums are:
- Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp
- Fire shrimp
- Peppermint shrimp
- Harlequin shrimp
- Sexy anemone shrimp
5. Snails Make Hardy, Adaptable Aquarium Additions
Aquatic snails are another excellent choice for first-time fish owners because they are incredibly hardy and adaptable. Snails have colorful shells and improve a tank’s aesthetics while rigorously keeping it clean. Snails aerate the substrate and crawl over all surfaces, eating algae, waste, and leftover food.
You must be careful when choosing snails because some are prolific breeders and can quickly overpopulate a tank. You should also be wary of adding carnivorous snails because they may eat other small invertebrates. As with all tank creatures, you must research their compatibility with existing inhabitants before introducing snails to a tank.
The most popular saltwater snails include:
- Astrea snails
- Turbo snails (a large species)
- Trochus snails
- Narcissist snails
6. Sponges Oxygenate Aquarium Water
Sponges are vibrant creatures that greatly enhance the environment of any saltwater tank. They filter pollutants and bacteria from the water and eat microscopic particles that other cleaners may miss. They also provide hiding places for fish and oxygenate the water.
Sponges are not ideal for beginners because they need pristine conditions, and keepers must regularly test the aquarium water. They are also super sensitive to water changes, so don’t put them in new set-ups. Sponges need a diet of fresh plankton, and they also need lots of space. You mustn’t keep them with fish species that feed on them or predator invertebrates.
The best sponge spices for saltwater tanks are the:
- Orange elephant ear sponge
- Purple tube sponge
- Yellow finger sponge
- Red ball sponge
7. Urchins Keep Underwater Ecosystems Balanced
Urchins are fascinating, spiky invertebrates that move around the tank and are massively beneficial to a saltwater aquarium. They are outstanding cleaners with captivating behavior and will be the talking point of any reef tank.
Urchins aren’t ideal for beginners because they are sensitive to water changes, and their sharp spines can be problematic. You must be cautious when handling them and take extra care during tank cleaning because their spikes can pierce the skin. To minimize the risk of injuries, choose small-spined species. Urchins also like to move things around, and you may have to stick tank decorations down to prevent them from rearranging things.
The most popular saltwater urchins are:
- Tuxedo urchins
- Pincushion urchins
- Long spined urchins
- Short spined urchins
