Buying an Invertebrate

Buying an invertebrate would be quite an innovative idea for a pet lover. There are thousands of species of invertebrates that can be kept as pets. You should go for a detailed research work on the various species of invertebrates before you choose one of them as your pet. About 98% of all species of the animal kingdom belong to the category of invertebrates except the ones belonging to the group of fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. So, a thorough study of the needs and requirements of the invertebrates would help you to maintain healthy breeds of this animal group.

Most invertebrate pet owners arrange for a reef tank as most of the species of invertebrates that are commonly preferred to be maintained as pets are those that are habituated in living in salt water. The following are some species that you may consider while buying an invertebrate.

Breed Options for Buying an Invertebrate

Shrimps – For buying an invertebrate you may try out in buying shrimps as your pet. Shrimps can be of various types ranging from inexpensive breeds like Cleaner shrimp Lysmata amboinensis, to expensive ones like Blood shrimp Lysmata debelius, Candycane or Peppermint shrimp Periclimenes brevcarpalis, and Coral Banded shrimp Stenopus hispidus. The cleaner shrimps are easy to maintain and are characterized by white or red stripes on the back while blood shrimps are deep red in color with white dots on them. The Coral Banded shrimp is ideal for reef tanks but you should be careful in keeping small fish with the shrimps as they feed on these fish.

In most cases you do not have to add extra food as shrimps are mainly scavengers and they feed themselves on the left over food of the fish. Shrimps like Harlequin shrimps should be avoided to be kept as pets as their only diet is star fish.

Crabs – Crabs can again be a good choice for buying an invertebrate. Crabs can be of various types but the ones that are mostly kept as pets are the anemones crabs. These crabs require an anemone to feel comfort. They are of various types like the Neopetrolisthes ohshimia, hermit crabs, arrow crabs and such. If you are willing to buy an arrow crab, buy it single as they tend to fight with the other of the same variety. Even they must not be kept with coral banded shrimps as the two species do not get along together. Crabs are actually omnivorous and generally live upon the food that reaches at the bottom of the tank.

Sea Urchins and Starfish – Sea urchins and star fish can also be purchased as your invertebrate pet. But be careful of buying the breeds of sea urchins that are not poisonous. Both star fish and sea urchins feed on food items like algae, detritus and small food items that accumulate at the base of the tank.

Sea anemone – If you are a beginner, you would probably have to drop the decision on buying a sea anemone. Sea anemones need excellent lighting facilities and good water conditions. You should be prepared to spend a handsome amount for maintaining water tanks containing sea anemones.

While taking the decision of keeping invertebrates in the tank you must be aware of the fact that the water of the tank should be regularly changed. Presence of iodine is required by these animals for molting. You must regularly introduce fresh or frosted food items in the tanks for feeding them. Make sure the water where they are kept is absolutely free from the element called copper. Invertebrates respond to lower levels of copper contamination compared to the levels that affect the fish.