There are a number of tempting non-fishy animal species aimed on the sale and maintaining in fish tanks. But are they appropriate to be blended with fish? Visit your LFS and whereas searching for an attention-grabbing fish to purchase you might nicely spot one thing else. Snails, crabs, shrimp, crayfish, frogs, even turtles, however sadly most are greatest stored separate from fish as a result of they both eat fish, or they themselves might find yourself in your fish’s menu.
Snails
Some snails are okay like Ramshorns and Nerites, however Tadpole snails and Malaysian trumpet snails are available with dwell crops as pests and may attain plague proportions. Apple snails have now returned from a beforehand being banned from maintaining in Europe and the UK, however predatory Assasin snails can be utilized to eat and management Tadpole and Trumpet snails.
Just a number of snails generally is a welcome addition to a planted tank, however might be on the menu of loaches, Paradise fish and medium-sized cichlids. Rabbit snails eat crops.
Crabs
There are fairly a number of freshwater crab species however the primary problem is that the majority are amphibious and want to return out onto a land space, or worse, are literally land crabs that may and do drown when stored in aquaria. Rainbows and Red crabs want to return out of the water so are greatest in a terrarium of their very own. Thai micro crabs (Limnopilos naiyanetri) are appropriate for planted tanks however once more will find yourself on the menu of Pufferfish and enormous, predatory cichlids.
Shrimp
Luckily there are many shrimp species which can be appropriate for tropical aquariums together with Cherry shrimp, Crystal purple shrimp, Amano shrimp and Wood shrimp. The first three are wonderful algae eaters appropriate for nano tanks, neighborhood tanks with small fish and planted tanks, though they’d be eaten by medium to giant fish.
Wood shrimp and their kinfolk the African Clawed shrimp have distinctive feeding equipment, with fan arms that they maintain out within the water to seize meals particles. They are bigger however innocent and will be housed with medium-sized fish species, ideally in fast-flowing stream themed aquaria.
Avoid any long-clawed Macrobranchium shrimp as they’re predatory.
Crayfish
There are just one species of crayfish that may legally be stored within the UK, Cherax quadricarinatus. Sold as blue lobsters or purple claw crayfish, they’re a tropical species however they develop giant, to over 6”, and they’ll attempt to catch and eat fish. Beautiful invertebrates however they want an aquarium all to themselves.
Frogs
Two species of frogs don’t want to depart the water – the African dwarf frog and the African clawed frog. African dwarfs will be stored with small fish and are themselves tiny. Feed them on Bloodworm and Tubifex worms, however don’t combine with medium-sized or giant fish as they’ll eat them.
African clawed frogs are sometimes seen on the market of their albino kind and are additionally identified by their Scientific title, Xenopus. These voracious eaters will eat aquarium fish and shrimp so want an aquarium, terrarium or paludarium all to themselves.
Turtles
Freshwater turtles and terrapins will eat fish and want the precise surroundings, food regimen, basking lamps, and UV mild to dwell lengthy and wholesome lives. Keep individually in indoor ponds or specifically designed terrapin enclosures to ensure they get what they want. The Fly River Turtle solely comes out to put eggs and doesn’t bask, however wants an enormous aquarium to swim and train in and correct, long run care.
The greatest companions for fish are different fish. If you need among the unique non-fishy species listed above, the most effective factor is to arrange an surroundings the place they are often stored on their very own, and one that may cater correctly for his or her wants. Check out reptile and invertebrate enclosures over at Swell Reptiles.
