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