| The care required for an invertebrate only | | | | home. It is equally important to do research |
| tank is very similar to that of any other | | | | in order to verify that you are able to |
| saltwater tank; however, the invertebrates | | | | properly feed them and care for their very |
| are far less hardy than fish. It is | | | | specific needs. Sea Anemones, prawns, |
| recommended that you become skilled with a | | | | shrimp, and starfishes are a few varieties |
| fish only tank before attempting an | | | | that have been successfully maintained in an |
| Invertebrate aquarium. Most Invertebrates | | | | aquarium. They require a water temperature |
| require a specialized diet. Check with the | | | | between fifty four and fifty nine degrees |
| supplier before purchasing and be sure that | | | | Fahrenheit, a P.H. between 8-8.4 and a |
| you are willing to make the commitment to | | | | salinity content of 1.024-1.025. Luckily |
| have food delivered if necessary. There are | | | | they do eat the same food. They feed off of |
| two different types of invertebrates, | | | | a diet of small pieces of raw fish, shrimp, |
| tropical and cold water. Make sure that the | | | | squid and mussels. |
| type you are buy is compatible with its other | | | | |
| tank mates. | | | | When keeping cold water invertebrates such as |
| | | | the species mention above, it is a good idea |
| A few examples of tropical invertebrates are | | | | to keep a separate tank full of shrimp, |
| tubeworms, red hermit crabs, cleaner shrimp | | | | mussels, and scallops to be used as a food |
| and the sea apple. All of this marine life is | | | | source, if you wish to use fresh rather than |
| compatible in terms of water conditions. | | | | frozen foods. Be careful when keeping |
| They require a water temperature between | | | | shrimp, as all of the invertebrates listed |
| seventy five and seventy nine degrees | | | | above feed on shrimp, including shrimp |
| Fahrenheit, a P.H. between 8.2 and 8.4 and a | | | | themselves. It is unlikely, however that a |
| salinity content of 1.020-1.024. As you can | | | | healthy live shrimp will be eaten whole by |
| see, there is very little wiggle room | | | | another shrimp or starfish. Invertebrates |
| associated with these measurements. It is | | | | should be fed more frequently in smaller |
| extremely important to check the levels | | | | amounts than fish. Try to feed only an amount |
| daily, or the results could be costly. These | | | | that can be consumed in the first thirty to |
| invertebrates are not compatible, however, | | | | sixty seconds. |
| with their food source needs. Check with the | | | | |
| supplier for compatibility before combining | | | | When setting up an invertebrate tank remember |
| tropical invertebrates. | | | | to include live rock, because some |
| | | | invertebrates feed on the parasites that grow |
| Unlike their tropical counter parts, cold | | | | on the live rock. A substrate should also be |
| water invertebrates are usually not sold in | | | | included in this type of aquarium. It will |
| stores. They have to be collected from tide | | | | provide a place for the crabs and shrimp to |
| pools. It is important to make sure that | | | | dig and bury themselves. A light should be |
| these species are not on the endangered | | | | included as well, if you intend to keep |
| species list before removing them from their | | | | anemones. |