3 Things to Consider Before Adding Saltwater Invertebrates to Your Reef Tank

If you’ve ever gazed at a fish tank, you probably already know how relaxed it can make you feel.

But this isn’t just a feeling. Aquariums are scientifically proven to boost your mood, reduce your heart rate, and lower your blood pressure.

A saltwater fish tank allows you to bring the ocean right to your living room. However, adding and growing saltwater invertebrates to reef tank comes with plenty of challenges.

Keep reading to learn the three things to consider first.

1. Your Tank’s Water Quality

One of the biggest problems that aquarium owners face when they decide to add saltwater invertebrate to their tanks is the quality of the water.

While most beautiful saltwater fish that hobbyists love to keep enjoy clean, balanced water, the same cannot be said for most aquarium invertebrates.

Many types of invertebrates require brackish water, as well as cooler temperatures than can be found in most aquariums.

For instance, clams and mussels require cooler water in order to keep them in an aquarium. But while clams and mussels can be a challenge, it is possible to add them to your existing saltwater tank, as long as you follow a few strict guidelines.

Follow this link to learn more about maxima clam gaping and adding clams to your tank.

One example of an invertebrate that requires brackish water to thrive is nerites. Alternatively, if your tank is brackish or poor in quality because of the large number of fish in your tank, shrimp may be a poor choice, as they are sensitive to water quality.

2. Threat to Your Existing Plant Life

Most saltwater reef tanks feature plant life that adds beauty to your tank and can even help to filter the water.

Unfortunately, some invertebrates love to dine on these plants. If you’ve put hard work into adding these treasured plants to your tank, the last thing you want to do is kill them off by adding hungry invertebrates to your tank.

Snails are a popular addition to both saltwater and freshwater tanks. While they are relatively easy to care for and inexpensive, they also love to dine on any and all plant life found in your tank.

3. Interactions With Your Fish

In a small space like an aquarium, the last thing you want to do is add predatory creatures to your tank.

You’ve likely already done your research to carefully choose fish that are unlikely to fight one another. But what you might not realize is that some invertebrates can be predatory as well.

Crabs are perhaps the best known predatory reef invertebrates. This doesn’t mean that they aren’t a great addition to your tank. Fun to watch and beautiful in color and patterns, they add interest to your reef tank and help make it even more natural-looking.

Some crab species are also great for keeping your tank clean. They search for rocks and sand and eat any leftover food or algae that they find there.

If you want to add crabs or crayfish to your tank, make sure you do your research first.

Adding Saltwater Invertebrates to Your Tank

If you’re thinking about adding saltwater invertebrates to your reef tank, doing your research first can help you avoid killing off your precious fish or plants.

Are you new to keeping a saltwater tank, but sick of your kids begging for one? While tanks can be expensive to maintain, they are also a wonderful opportunity to teach your kids about fish and show them how to care for pets.

For advice on keeping your kids happy and entertained without breaking the budget, check out the rest of our blog.