List of freshwater aquarium invertebrate species
Encyclopedia
This is a list of invertebrates, animals without a backbone, that are commonly kept in freshwater aquaria
by hobby aquarists. Numerous shrimp
species of various kinds, crayfish
, a number of freshwater snail
species, and at least one freshwater clam
species are found in freshwater aquaria.
Shrimp
Crayfish
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
by hobby aquarists. Numerous shrimp
Shrimp
Shrimp are swimming, decapod crustaceans classified in the infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh and salt water. Adult shrimp are filter feeding benthic animals living close to the bottom. They can live in schools and can swim rapidly backwards. Shrimp are an important...
species of various kinds, crayfish
Crayfish
Crayfish, crawfish, or crawdads – members of the superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea – are freshwater crustaceans resembling small lobsters, to which they are related...
, a number of freshwater snail
Freshwater snail
A freshwater snail is one kind of freshwater mollusc, the other kind being freshwater clams and mussels, i.e. freshwater bivalves. Specifically a freshwater snail is a gastropod that lives in a watery non-marine habitat. The majority of freshwater gastropods have a shell, with very few exceptions....
species, and at least one freshwater clam
Clam
The word "clam" can be applied to freshwater mussels, and other freshwater bivalves, as well as marine bivalves.In the United States, "clam" can be used in several different ways: one, as a general term covering all bivalve molluscs...
species are found in freshwater aquaria.
ShrimpShrimpShrimp are swimming, decapod crustaceans classified in the infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh and salt water. Adult shrimp are filter feeding benthic animals living close to the bottom. They can live in schools and can swim rapidly backwards. Shrimp are an important...
- Atyaephyra desmaresti, Iberian/European dwarf shrimp
- Atyoida pilipes Green lace shrimp
- Atyopsis moluccensis, Bamboo Shrimp
- Caridina cf. babaulti var. green, green shrimp
- Caridina babaulti var. malaya, malayan dwarf shrimp
- Caridina babaulti var. stripes, striped shrimp
- Caridina gracilirostrisCaridina gracilirostrisCaridina gracilirostris is an algae–eating species of shrimp native to India. In the wild, it is found in mangroves and marshes. It is often kept as a pet in freshwater aquariums due to its unique red rostrum, which gives it an unusual appearance...
, red nose shrimp - Caridina cf. gracilirostrisCaridina gracilirostrisCaridina gracilirostris is an algae–eating species of shrimp native to India. In the wild, it is found in mangroves and marshes. It is often kept as a pet in freshwater aquariums due to its unique red rostrum, which gives it an unusual appearance...
, white-nose Shrimp - Caridina multidentata, Amano shrimp
- Caridina cf. cantonensis var. bee, bee shrimp
- Caridina cf. cantonensis var. blue tiger, blue tiger shrimp
- Caridina cf. cantonensis var. crystal black, crystal black shrimp
- Caridina cf. cantonensis var. crystal red, crystal red shrimp
- Caridina cf. cantonensis var. tiger, tiger shrimp
- Caridina cf. propinqua, tangerine shrimp
- Caridina cf. serrata var. chinese zebra, chinese zebra shrimp
- Caridina sp., Indian Dwarf Shrimp
- Caridina sp., Indian Whitebanded Shrimp
- Caridina woltereckae, Sulawesi harlequin shrimp
- Caridina dennerliCaridina dennerliCaridina dennerli is a small species of shrimp from Indonesia that grows up to in length. It takes its name from the German company Dennerle, which funded the expedition that led to the discovery of the species. It is popularly known as the 'Cardinal Shrimp' in the aquarium trade.- Distribution...
, Sulawesi cardinal shrimp - Caridina cf. breviata, bumblebee shrimp
- Caridina sp.CaridinaCaridina is a genus of freshwater atyid shrimps. They are widely found in tropical or subtropical water currents in Asia, Oceania and Africa. They are filter-feeders, collector-gatherers and omnivorous scavengers. They range from 0.9–9.8 mm to 1.2–7.4 mm Caridina is a genus of freshwater...
, black midget shrimp - Caridina serratirostrisCaridina serratirostrisCaridina serratirostris is a species of freshwater shrimp that lives in the Indo-west Pacific region, from Madagascar to Fiji, including northern Queensland. Its common name in the aquarium trade, "ninja shrimp", comes from its ability to quickly change colour and disappear into its surroundings...
, Ninja Shrimp - Caridina pareparensis parvidentata, malawa shrimp
- Caridina simoni simoni, Sri Lankan Dwarf shrimp
- Desmocaris elongata, Guinea Swamp Shrimp
- Euryrhynchus amazoniensis, Amazon zebra shrimp
- Halocaridina rubra, Hawaiian Red shrimp (brackish, but can be acclimated to freshwater)
- Macrobrachium assamensis, Red claw shrimp
- Macrobrachium dayanum, Rusty longarm shrimp
- Macrobrachium eriocheirum, Fuzzy claw shrimp
- Macrobrachium faustinum, Caribbean longarm shrimp
- Macrobrachium kulsiense, Sand shrimp
- Macrobrachium lanchesteri, a.k.a. Cryphiops lanchesteri, Riceland prawn
- Micratya poeyi, Caribbean dwarf filter shrimp
- Neocaridina heteropoda (wild type), Wild type cherry shrimp
- Neocaridina heteropoda var. red, Cherry shrimp
- Neocaridina heteropoda var. yellow, Yellow shrimp
- Neocaridina palmata, Marbled dwarf shrimp
- Neocaridina cf. zhangjiajiensis var. blue pearl, Blue pearl shrimp
- Neocaridina cf. zhangjiajiensis var. whiteSnowball ShrimpThe snowball shrimp or white pearl shrimp is a type of shrimp bred for the aquarium trade. It was developed in Germany through selective breeding from a wild ancestor similar to the species Neocaridina zhangjiajiensis. Adults grow to a size of and are a translucent white colour....
, Snowball shrimp - Palaemonetes ivonicus, amazon glass shrimp
- Palaemonetes paludosusPalaemonetes paludosusPalaemonetes paludosus, the eastern grass shrimp, is a species of freshwater shrimp from the Eastern United States.-Description:Palaemonetes paludosus is up to long and largely transparent. By manipulating the pigment granules in its body, it can produce effective camouflage against its...
, American ghost (glass, grass) shrimp - Palaemonetes varians, European ghost shrimp
- Potamalpheops sp., purple zebra shrimp
- Triops australiensisTriops australiensisTriops australiensis is an Australian species of Triops.-Distribution:Triops australiensis has a wide distribution across Australia, excluding the northernmost parts of Western Australia, Northern Territories and Queensland. It is also absent from Tasmania in the south, where it is replaced by...
, Australian tadpole shrimp - Triops cancriformisTriops cancriformisTriops cancriformis, or tadpole shrimp , is a species of tadpole shrimp found in Europe, the Middle East and Japan....
, horseshoe shrimp - Triops longicaudatusTriops longicaudatusTriops longicaudatus is a freshwater crustacean of the order Notostraca, resembling a miniature horseshoe crab. It is characterized by an elongated, segmented body, flattened shield-like brownish carapace covering two thirds of the thorax and two long filaments on the abdomen...
, longtail tadpole shrimp - Xiphocaris elongataXiphocaris elongataXiphocaris elongata, the yellow-nose shrimp, yellow rhino shrimp, salpiche or piquine, is a species of freshwater shrimp native to the Caribbean. A hardy species, this shrimp is tolerant of a wide range of water conditions and can even survive in brackish and saltwater...
, Yellow nose shrimp
CrayfishCrayfishCrayfish, crawfish, or crawdads – members of the superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea – are freshwater crustaceans resembling small lobsters, to which they are related...
- Procambarus alleniProcambarus alleniProcambarus alleni is a species of freshwater crayfish endemic to Florida. Its natural range is the area east of St. Johns River and all of Florida from Levy County and Marion County southwards, as well as on some of the Florida Keys. It is widely sold in the aquarium trade under a variety of...
- Procambarus clarkiiProcambarus clarkiiProcambarus clarkii is a freshwater crayfish species, native to the Southeastern United States, but found also on other continents, where it is often an invasive pest. It is known variously as the red swamp crawfish, red swamp crayfish, Louisiana crawfish, Louisiana crayfish or mudbug.-Range and...
Red Swamp Crayfish - Procambarus sp. Marmorkrebs Marble Crayfish
- Cherax destructor
- Cherax quadricarinatus
- Cambarellus montezuema
- Cambarellus shufeldtiiCambarellus shufeldtiiCambarellus shufeldtii is a small species of crayfish native to the Southern United States. The males reach a length of about , while the females are somewhat smaller. They are easily bred in a tank, and kept by freshwater aquarists, who commonly refer to them as Cajun dwarf crayfish. Their life...
- Cambarellus patzcuarensisCambarellus patzcuarensisCambarellus patzcuarensis is a crayfish in the family Cambaridae.-Description:It has a body measuring , including claws. Most specimens found in the wild are brown, sometimes with a gray or blue tint. Cambarellus patzcuarensis var...
Dwarf Crayfish - Pacifastacus leniusculus Signal Crayfish
Branchiopods
- Artemia franciscana, San Francisco brine shrimp
- Artemia salinaArtemia salinaArtemia salina is a species of brine shrimp – aquatic crustaceans that are more closely related to Triops and cladocerans than to true shrimp. It is a very old species that does not appear to have changed in .-Description:...
, Utah salt lake brine shrimp - Artemia nyos, Sea Monkeys
- Parartemia zietziana, Sea Dragons
- Artemia sp., Siberian brine shrimp
- Lepidurus apus, golden tadpole shrimp
- Triops longicaudatusTriops longicaudatusTriops longicaudatus is a freshwater crustacean of the order Notostraca, resembling a miniature horseshoe crab. It is characterized by an elongated, segmented body, flattened shield-like brownish carapace covering two thirds of the thorax and two long filaments on the abdomen...
, longtail tadpole shrimp - Triops australiensisTriops australiensisTriops australiensis is an Australian species of Triops.-Distribution:Triops australiensis has a wide distribution across Australia, excluding the northernmost parts of Western Australia, Northern Territories and Queensland. It is also absent from Tasmania in the south, where it is replaced by...
, Australian tadpole shrimp - Triops cancriformisTriops cancriformisTriops cancriformis, or tadpole shrimp , is a species of tadpole shrimp found in Europe, the Middle East and Japan....
, European tadpole shrimp - Thamnocephalus sp., beavertail fairy shrimp
- Streptocephalus sp., redtail fairy shrimp
- Streptocephalus sp., dry lake fairy shrimp
- Brachinecta sp., winter fairy shrimp
- DaphniaDaphniaDaphnia are small, planktonic crustaceans, between 0.2 and 5 mm in length. Daphnia are members of the order Cladocera, and are one of the several small aquatic crustaceans commonly called water fleas because of their saltatory swimming style...
, water flea - MoinaMoinaMoina is a genus of crustaceans within the family Moinidae. The genus was first described by W. Baird in 1850. This genus demonstrates the ability to survive in waters containing high salinity and other impurities, including salt pans...
, Japanese water flea - Diplostraca, clam shrimp
Gastropods
- Asolene spixi (apple snail)
- Marisa cornuarietisMarisa cornuarietisMarisa cornuarietis, common name the giant ramshorn snail, is a species of large freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Ampullariidae, the apple snail family....
(apple snail) - PlanorbisPlanorbisPlanorbis is a genus of freshwater air-breathing snails, aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Planorbidae, the ram's horn snails, or planorbids. All species in this genus have sinistral or left-coiling shells.- Description :...
species (standard ramshorn snails) - Pomacea bridgesiiPomacea bridgesiiPomacea bridgesii, common names the Spike-topped apple snail or Mystery snail, is a South American species of freshwater snail with gills and an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Ampullariidae.-Subspecies:...
(apple snail) - Pomacea canaliculataPomacea canaliculataPomacea canaliculata, common name the channeled applesnail, is a species of large freshwater snail with gills and an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Ampullariidae, the apple snails....
(apple snail) - PhysaPhysaPhysa is a genus of small, left-handed or sinistral, air-breathing freshwater snails, aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Physidae.These snails eat algae, diatoms and detritus.- Anatomy :...
species (bladder, tadpole and physa snails) - LymnaeidaeLymnaeidaeLymnaeidae is a taxonomic family of small to large air-breathing freshwater snails, aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusks, that belong to the clade Hygrophila....
(pond and melantho snails) - Lymnaea stagnalisLymnaea stagnalisLymnaea stagnalis, better known as the great pond snail, is a species of large air-breathing freshwater snail, an aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Lymnaeidae.-Distribution:The distribution of this species is Holarctic...
(great pond snail) - Planorbarius corneusPlanorbarius corneusPlanorbarius corneus, common name the great ramshorn, is a relatively large species of air-breathing freshwater snail, an aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Planorbidae, the ram's horn snails, or planorbids, which all have sinistral or left-coiling shells.The shell of this species...
(Great Ramshorn) - Melanoides tuberculata (Malaysian trumpet snailMalaysian Trumpet SnailThe red-rimmed melania, scientific name Melanoides tuberculata, is a species of freshwater snail with an operculum, a parthenogenetic, aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Thiaridae....
) - Melanoides granifera (spike tailed trumpet snail)
- Viviparus malleattus (Japanese trapdoor snail)
- Clithon corona (horned nerite snail)
- Neritina natalensisNeritina natalensisNeritina natalensis is a species of small freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Neritidae, the nerites.This is a popular aquarium snail, sold because it looks attractive and eats algae in freshwater tanks....
(zebra nerite snail) - Vittina semiconica (red onion or tire tracked nerite snail)
- Neritina reclivataNeritina reclivataNeritina reclivata is a species of freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Neritidae, the nerites.The common name is olive nerite, but that same common name is also used for Neritina usnea.-Human use:...
(olive nerite snail) - Nepterion violaceus "Red Lips" (Red lips neritine snail)
- Septaria porcellana (freshwater limpet)
- NeritinaNeritinaNeritina is a genus of small aquatic snails with an operculum, marine, brackish water, and sometimes freshwater gastropod mollusks in the family Neritidae, the nerites.Neritina is the type genus of the tribe Neritinini.- Species :...
sp. (mosaic nerite snail) - NeritinaNeritinaNeritina is a genus of small aquatic snails with an operculum, marine, brackish water, and sometimes freshwater gastropod mollusks in the family Neritidae, the nerites.Neritina is the type genus of the tribe Neritinini.- Species :...
sp. (tribal nerite snail) - Brotia pagudola (horned armour snail)
- Pachymelania byronensisPachymelania byronensisPachymelania byronensis is a species of freshwater snail, a gastropod mollusk in the family Thiaridae....
(west African freshwater snail) - Neritina puligera (dusky nerite)
- Paludomus sulcatus (bella snail)
- Thiara cancellata (hairy tower lid snail)
- Taia naticoides (piano snail)
- Brotia herculea (giant tower cap snail)
- Planorbella duryiPlanorbella duryiPlanorbella duryi, common name the Seminole rams-horn, is a species of air-breathing freshwater snail, a pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Planorbidae, the ram's horn snails.-Distribution:This species of snail is endemic to Florida, USA....
(miniature red ramshorn snail) - Tylomelania species (Tylo or Sulawesi snails)
- Tylomelania sp. Poso "Yellow"
- Tylomelania sp. Poso "Orange Flash"
- Tylomelania patriarchalis (black Sulawesi snails)
- Cipangopaludina leucythoides (tiger tuba snail)