Mobile Invertebrate Database         ReefKeeping 101

Mobile invertebrates are a diverse group that covers all of the self propelled tank inhabitants such as snails, shrimp, crabs, star fish, etc.  Being mobile, they can find the conditions within the tank that suit them, so the main trick is getting them successfully introduced into the tank.

Guidelines to buying mobile invertebrates:

• Check the specimen to ensure that it shows good activity for its kind.  Obviously expectations for a snail would be lower than for, say a shrimp.

• Verify all appendages are present.  Loss of a limb in crustaceans is usually not a big issue since they grow back, but if the appendage is lost due to a fight or poor conditions, the specimen may not be very healthy.  Starfish can also grow back an arm and brittle stars in particular are subject to casting off an arm when they are not happy.  Again, if the specimen otherwise appears healthy it is probably safe to purchase it.

• A few specimens, such as banded coral shrimp cannot be kept more than one per tank unless they are a mated pair.

Keep in mind that mobile invertebrates are the most susceptible organisms to lax acclimation procedures.  They seem less able to handle changes in salinity and other water parameters and usually benefit from extended acclimation procedures.  Please review the acclimation sheet if you need more information on this topic.