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Invertebrates bring a lot of life to a freshwater tank. Dwarf shrimp graze biofilm, snails clean up leftover food and algae, and a few small crabs add personality. This section gathers our freshwater invertebrate profiles, with water parameters, minimum tank size and an honest note on which fish will leave them alone.
Most invertebrates are more sensitive than fish to copper, ammonia and sudden changes in water chemistry. Add them only to a fully cycled, stable aquarium, acclimate shrimp slowly by drip, and check that any medication or fertilizer you use is labeled invertebrate safe.
Compatibility is the main issue: many fish see shrimp as food, and some loaches and puffers eat snails. Use the list of shrimp-safe fish or the compatibility checker before you mix them.
Some species, such as many crayfish and apple snails, are restricted in certain states because they become invasive. Check your local rules, and never release invertebrates into the wild.
By group
Handy lists
Invertebrates
| Species | Min. liters | Size | Temp. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Amano shrimp Caridina multidentata | 11 gal (40 L) | 2 in (5 cm) | 64–82 °F (18–28 °C) | Easy |
 Cherry shrimp Neocaridina davidi | 5 gal (20 L) | 1.2 in (3 cm) | 64–81 °F (18–27 °C) | Easy |
 Horned nerite snail Clithon corona | 5 gal (20 L) | 0.6 in (1.5 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Nerite snail Neritina natalensis | 5 gal (20 L) | 1 in (2.5 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Assassin snail Anentome helena | 5 gal (20 L) | 1 in (2.5 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Bamboo shrimp Atyopsis moluccensis | 21 gal (80 L) | 3.1 in (8 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Bladder snail Physella acuta | 3 gal (10 L) | 0.4 in (1 cm) | 59–82 °F (15–28 °C) | Easy |
 Blue dream shrimp Neocaridina davidi var. Blue Dream | 5 gal (20 L) | 1.2 in (3 cm) | 64–81 °F (18–27 °C) | Easy |
 Crystal red shrimp Caridina cantonensis | 8 gal (30 L) | 1 in (2.5 cm) | 64–75 °F (18–24 °C) | Difficult |
 Ghost shrimp Palaemonetes paludosus | 11 gal (40 L) | 1.6 in (4 cm) | 64–81 °F (18–27 °C) | Easy |
 Malaysian trumpet snail Melanoides tuberculata | 5 gal (20 L) | 1.2 in (3 cm) | 68–86 °F (20–30 °C) | Easy |
 Mexican dwarf crayfish (orange) Cambarellus patzcuarensis | 14 gal (54 L) | 1.6 in (4 cm) | 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) | Easy |
 Rabbit snail (Tylomelania) Tylomelania sp. | 16 gal (60 L) | 3.1 in (8 cm) | 79–86 °F (26–30 °C) | Moderate |
 Ramshorn snail (great ramshorn) Planorbarius corneus | 5 gal (20 L) | 1.2 in (3 cm) | 59–77 °F (15–25 °C) | Easy |
 Tiger shrimp Caridina mariae | 7 gal (25 L) | 1.2 in (3 cm) | 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) | Moderate |
 Vampire crab Geosesarma sp. | 11 gal (40 L) | 1.2 in (3 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Moderate |
No species match those filters.