Marine crustaceans are found within marine invertebrates , which we can include in an aquarium that faithfully reproduces a coral biotope . Not only can we introduce tropical fish, but also anemones, crustaceans and all the necessary decoration, to create the feeling of being under the sea.
The variety of crustaceans that can be incorporated, without being as wide as the variety of marine fish , are enough to generate a feeling of naturalness.
Although crustaceans are easy to care for, it is convenient to choose those varieties that do not harm the anemones, corals or other fish that inhabit the aquarium.… you know, you have to take into account compatibility between species.
You also have to keep in mind that they have their own needs . Crustaceans change their exoskeleton periodically, and for the aquarium conditions to be correct, we must keep the water in the best conditions of calcium, hardness, temperature and that nitrates do not exceed acceptable levels.
Of the crustaceans, the most popular are prawns and shrimp. Some are especially sought after for their benefits within the aquarium, such as cleaning prawns , very useful because they feed on fish parasites.
Cleaner shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
The cleaning shrimp or prawns that arrive in Spain, come mostly from Sri Lanka or Mauritius.
They usually occupy a fixed space inside the aquarium, and it is the other fish that approach the cleaner shrimp, to request that their head, mouth and chest be cleaned of the parasites they usually have.
Their growth is rapid, and their half-life can be placed at three years , provided that they are not eaten by any of the aquarium fish before.
They live in small groups on rocky ledges , and do not show any aggressiveness. Fiddler Crab
Uca tangeri
The fiddler crab Uca tangeri is a species of crustaceans native to the eastern Atlantic.
They are easy to distinguish thanks to the fact that the males have a hypertrophied clamp, which makes them surprising and unique.
It is a quiet species, suitable for an invertebrate aquarium, although due to the characteristics of the biotope, it is difficult to mix with fish.
