Guide category

Freshwater Invertebrates Guides

Hydro Habitats reference material about freshwater invertebrates.

Freshwater Invertebrates reference library

Invertebrate

Amano Shrimp

Amano Shrimp are active, transparent freshwater shrimp famous for grazing on soft algae and leftover organic matter. They are larger and generally hardier than many ornamental dwarf shrimp, but they require stable, clean water, secure cover, and supplemental food.

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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, copper-free water and a mature tank with biofilm.

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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.

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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.

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