Invertebrates

This collection includes a range of functionally important marine invertebrates—organisms that stabilize, clean, and biologically enrich reef systems. All specimens are maintained and propagated in highly stable, sunlit ecosystems, where natural nutrient cycles, microbial balance, and consistent parameters produce animals that are resilient, active, and fully acclimated to reef conditions.

Functional Groups

  • Mollusks — Phylum Mollusca (e.g., snails)
    Primarily gastropods that graze on microalgae, biofilm, and detritus. Critical for maintaining clean surfaces and preventing nuisance algae buildup.
  • Arthropods — Subphylum Crustacea (e.g., hermit crabs, microcrustaceans)
    Highly adaptive scavengers and detritivores that recycle organic waste and contribute to nutrient turnover.
  • Echinoderms — Phylum Echinodermata (e.g., micro brittle stars, detritivorous species)
    Benthic processors that consume detritus and fine particulate matter, enhancing substrate health.

Care Guidelines

  • Lighting: Indirectly dependent (varies by species; most are not light-driven)
  • Flow: Moderate, ensuring oxygenation and waste suspension
  • Nutrients: Stable, with sufficient organic input to sustain grazing and detritivory
  • Temperature: 75–81°F
  • Salinity: 1.024–1.026

System Role

  • Continuous algae and biofilm control
  • Active detritus breakdown and nutrient recycling
  • Support of microbial and trophic diversity
  • Contribution to overall ecosystem stability

What Sets These Apart

  • Raised in mature, balanced ecosystems—not sterile holding systems
  • Conditioned to real reef nutrient cycles, not artificial starvation conditions
  • Selected for activity, resilience, and functional value

If your system has stability and a real nutrient cycle, these organisms will immediately contribute.