Guide category
Freshwater Invertebrates Guides
Read freshwater shrimp and snail guides covering tank setup, feeding, compatibility, and routine care. Compare individual species needs when adding invertebrates to an aquarium or reviewing an existing setup.
Freshwater Invertebrates reference library
Invertebrate
Amano Shrimp
Amano Shrimp are active, transparent freshwater shrimp famous for grazing on soft algae and edible organic material. They are larger and generally hardier than many ornamental dwarf shrimp, but they require stable, clean water, secure cover, and supplemental food.
Invertebrate
Assassin Snail
Assassin snails are small freshwater carnivorous snails best known for hunting pest snails. They spend much of their time moving across or burrowing into the substrate and emerge readily when they detect food.
Invertebrate
Cherry Shrimp
Cherry Shrimp are small, colorful freshwater shrimp valued for their algae-grazing behavior, peaceful nature, and ability to reproduce in home aquariums. They are one of the most approachable dwarf shrimp for beginners, but they still require clean, stable water and a mature tank with biofilm. Avoid copper-based treatments and contamination harmful to shrimp; verify product compatibility before use.
Invertebrate
Ghost Shrimp
Identified Palaemon paludosus are small, nearly transparent freshwater shrimp with visible internal anatomy and abdominal eggs. Their appearance and feeding behavior offer opportunities for observation; the trade name alone does not establish species identity.
Invertebrate
Mystery Snail
Mystery Snails are large, colorful freshwater apple snails valued for their calm behavior, visible activity, and unusual air-breathing siphon. They are not miniature cleanup machines: adults need purposeful feeding, produce substantial waste, and require hard, alkaline water to protect new shell growth.
Invertebrate
Nerite Snail
Nerite Snails are peaceful algae-grazing snails known for patterned shells and their inability to overpopulate most freshwater aquariums. The trade name covers several species with somewhat different sizes, patterns, and natural salinity histories. They need a mature tank, hard alkaline water for shell health, a secure lid, and enough algae or biofilm to prevent starvation.
Content updated: