Top 10 Non Fish Aquarium Pets in 2024

When it comes to creating a vibrant and dynamic aquarium, fish are not the only option. Non-fish aquarium pets, such as freshwater shrimp, snails, crayfish, and micro spider crabs, offer a unique and captivating alternative. These invertebrates bring a variety of colors, behaviors, and benefits to your tank, from natural cleaning and algae control to fascinating interactions and low maintenance requirements. Whether you’re a seasoned aquarist or a beginner, exploring the world of non-fish pets can add a new dimension to your aquatic environment, making it both visually stunning and ecologically balanced.

1. Freshwater Shrimp

Freshwater shrimp are colorful, active, and relatively easy to care for, making them a great choice for a non-fish aquarium. Shrimp come in a wide range of colors and species, allowing you to create a visually stunning aquarium. Shrimp are excellent at keeping your tank clean. They are scavengers and detritivores, meaning they feed on algae, leftover fish food, and other organic matter in the tank. This helps maintain water quality and reduces the need for frequent cleaning.

Shrimp have relatively low demands compared to fish. They thrive in a variety of water conditions and are less sensitive to changes in water parameters. However, they do require clean, well-oxygenated water and a stable environment to thrive

Popular species include:

• 10 Grade AA Red Cherry Shrimp: $39.99 – Known for their striking red color, these shrimp are easy to care for and breed quickly.
• Blue Dream Shrimp: $43.99 – These shrimp add a pop of blue to your tank and are excellent algae eaters.
• Green Jade Shrimp: 44.99 – Amazing green hue and best of all, low maintenance!

Shrimp FAQs

What are the ideal water parameters for keeping shrimp?

• Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
• pH: 6.5-8.0
• Ammonia and Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: Below 20 ppm
• GH (General Hardness): 4-8 dGH
• KH (Carbonate Hardness): 1-4 dKH.

What do shrimp eat?

• Algae
• Biofilm
• Commercial shrimp pellets
• Blanched vegetables (e.g., zucchini, spinach)
• Protein-rich foods like bloodworms (occasionally).

 How often should I feed my shrimp?

Feed your shrimp small amounts once a day. Ensure that all food is consumed within a few hours to prevent water quality issues. Overfeeding can lead to poor water conditions and health problems for your shrimp.

How do I acclimate shrimp to a new tank?

Acclimate shrimp slowly to avoid shock. Use the drip acclimation method:

1. Place the shrimp in a container with the water they came in.
2. Use airline tubing to slowly drip tank water into the container.
3. Continue dripping for 1-2 hours until the water volume has doubled.
4. Gently transfer the shrimp to the tank using a net.

5. Can shrimp be kept with fish?

Shrimp can be kept with small, peaceful fish that do not see them as food. Avoid keeping shrimp with large or aggressive fish. Suitable tank mates include small tetras, rasboras, and otocinclus catfish.

2. Snails

Snails are not only interesting to watch but also help keep your tank clean by eating algae and leftover food. By consuming detritus and waste, snails contribute to the nutrient cycle in the aquarium. Their waste products are broken down by beneficial bacteria, which in turn provide nutrients for plants. This creates a more balanced and self-sustaining ecosystem.

Snails can add visual interest to an aquarium. Species like Mystery Snails and Nerite Snails come in various colors and patterns, enhancing the tank’s aesthetics. Their slow, deliberate movements can also be quite mesmerizing to watch.

Some popular snail species include:

• Gold Mystery Snails: 8.99 each – These snails come in various colors and are great for algae control.
• Red Racer Nerite Snails: 33.99 for 3 – Known for their unique patterns, they are excellent algae eaters and do not reproduce in freshwater.

Snail FAQ’s

What are the benefits of keeping snails in an aquarium?

• Algae Control: They help keep the tank clean by eating algae.
• Detritus Management: Snails consume leftover food and decaying plant matter, reducing waste buildup.
• Aeration of Substrate: Some snails burrow into the substrate, preventing the formation of anaerobic pockets.

What types of snails are best for non fish aquarium pets?

• Nerite Snails: Known for their algae-eating capabilities and unique shell patterns.
• Mystery Snails: They come in various colors and are great for algae control.
• Malaysian Trumpet Snails: Excellent for aerating the substrate.

How do I care for Mystery Snails?

• Tank Size: At least 5 gallons per snail.
• Water Parameters: pH between 7.0-7.5, temperature between 68-82°F (20-28°C).
• Diet: Algae, blanched vegetables, and commercial snail food.
• Tank Setup: Provide plenty of hiding places and ensure the tank is covered to prevent escape.

How can I prevent pest snails from overrunning my tank?

• Quarantine New Plants: Rinse and inspect new plants before adding them to the tank.
• Control Feeding: Avoid overfeeding, as excess food can lead to snail population booms.
• Manual Removal: Regularly check for and remove pest snails manually.
• Snail Traps: Use snail traps to catch and remove unwanted snails.

What are some common issues with keeping snails in an aquarium?

• Overpopulation: Some snails, like pond snails and bladder snails, can reproduce rapidly and become pests.
• Compatibility: Ensure snails are compatible with other tank inhabitants, as some fish may prey on them.
• Water Quality: Snails are sensitive to poor water quality and require stable, clean water conditions.

3. Crayfish

Crayfish add a unique and dynamic element to your aquarium. They are active and have interesting behaviors. Crayfish exhibit fascinating behaviors such as burrowing, climbing, and interacting with their environment. They are known for their nocturnal activity, often becoming more active at dusk and dawn. This can add a dynamic and engaging element to your aquarium.

Crayfish are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. They are relatively easy to care for, requiring basic tank maintenance and a varied diet of sinking pellets, vegetables, and occasional protein sources. All in all, crayfish are a solid canidate for non fish aquarium pets.

Products to Consider:

• Dwarf Orange Crayfish (CPO): $15.99 – These small, peaceful crayfish are perfect for planted tanks and can coexist with shrimp.

Crawfish and Micro Crab FAQ‘s

What are the ideal tank conditions for crayfish?

• Tank size: Minimum 10 gallons for dwarf species, 20+ gallons for larger species
• Water temperature: 65-80°F (18-27°C)
• pH: 6.5-8.0
• Hiding places: Rocks, driftwood, caves/tunnels for molting
• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel to allow burrowing

What do crayfish eat?

• Sinking pellets/wafers
• Blanched vegetables (zucchini, carrots)
• Algae wafers
• Occasional meaty foods like brine shrimp or bloodworms

Feed small amounts 2-3 times per week.

Are micro crabs easy to care for?

• Water parameters: Similar to dwarf shrimp (pH 6.5-7.5, temp 72-78°F)
• Tank size: Minimum 5 gallons, densely planted
• Diet: Omnivorous, eat algae, biofilm, shrimp pellets
• Behavior: Peaceful, do well in groups of 3+

However, they may reproduce unexpectedly in home aquariums.

How do I acclimate new crayfish?

• Float the bag for 30 mins to temperature acclimate
• Open the bag and roll down the sides, allowing air exchange
• Use a cup to slowly add tank water to the bag over 1-2 hours
• Once fully acclimated, gently net the crayfish into the tank

Can crayfish live with fish?

• Avoid slow-moving or bottom-dwelling fish that resemble crayfish prey
• Good tankmates: Tetras, danios, barbs, gouramis, rainbowfish
• Provide ample hiding spaces and line of sight breaks
• Do not house male and female crayfish together long-term

Monitor interactions closely, as crayfish may view small fish as food.

4. Thai Micro Spider Crabs

Thai Micro Spider Crabs are tiny, peaceful crabs that make a great addition to a shrimp tank. These Spider Crabs are incredibly docile and non-aggressive, making them ideal non fish aquarium pets. Species such as dwarf shrimp (Neocaridina and Caridina species), bamboo shrimp, vampire shrimp, and small fish like pygmy Corydoras and Microrasbora. They are unlikely to cause trouble with other tank inhabitants, which makes them a harmonious addition to community tanks. They are fascinating to watch and have similar care requirements to shrimp.

These crabs are completely safe with plants and can be kept in heavily planted tanks. They appreciate environments with plenty of hiding places, such as driftwood and dense vegetation, which mimic their natural habitat

• 5 Thai Micro Spider Crabs: $34.99 – They are a very small crab that may reach 0.6″ across in total. They should be kept in groups of 3 or more. 

5. Mixed Invertebrate Tank

For a diverse and lively aquarium, consider mixing different types of invertebrates. A combination of shrimp, snails, and crabs can create a balanced and visually appealing tank. Ensure that all species are compatible and have similar water parameter requirements.

Products to Consider:

• Premium Skittles Pack of Shrimp: 44.99 – Great for new hobbyists or seasoned experts, the Shrimp Starter Pack includes ten assorted varieties of healthy and hardy Neocaridina shrimp! These colorful aquatic crustaceans are an entertaining addition to any aquarium and can be used in planted tanks as well.
• Blue Ramshorn Snails: $14.99 – Ramshorn snails are perfect for a shrimp tank or non-aggressive fish in your community tank. They feed on aquarium algae in freshwater aquariums. In the aquarium trade they are considered pest snails sometimes as the snail population can grow rapidly with newborn snails appearing almost overnight.

Key Take Aways

Non fish aquarium pets offer a unique and engaging way to enjoy the aquarium hobby. By choosing the right combination of invertebrates, you can create a vibrant and dynamic aquatic environment. The Shrimp Farm provides a wide range of high-quality products to help you set up and maintain your non-fish aquarium. Visit The Shrimp Farm today to explore their selection and start building your dream tank! 

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