Invertebrates

Invertebrates are a diverse and fascinating group of organisms that can add both functionality and aesthetic appeal to a saltwater aquarium. They include species like anemones, cephalopods, crabs, cucumbers, fan worms, lobsters, sea slugs, shrimps, snails, sponges, starfish, tridacna clams, and urchins. Each of these subcategories brings its own unique characteristics and requirements, making them interesting and sometimes challenging additions to a marine tank.

Anemones, for instance, are known for their symbiotic relationships with clownfish. They require stable water conditions and strong lighting to thrive. Cephalopods, such as octopuses and cuttlefish, are highly intelligent and fascinating but require specialized care due to their sensitivity to water quality and their escape artist tendencies. Crabs and shrimps are excellent scavengers, helping to keep the tank clean by eating detritus and algae. However, some species can be aggressive and may not be suitable for all tank mates.

Sea cucumbers and fan worms are filter feeders, playing a crucial role in maintaining water quality by filtering out particulate matter. Lobsters and sea slugs, while intriguing, can be more challenging to keep due to their specific dietary needs and behaviors. Tridacna clams and urchins are popular for their striking appearances but require stable water parameters and sufficient calcium levels for shell and spine growth. Starfish and snails are generally hardy and can help control algae growth, but some species have specific dietary needs that must be met.

Overall, invertebrates offer a wide range of benefits and challenges, making them a captivating addition to any saltwater aquarium. Their unique behaviors and roles within the ecosystem can provide endless fascination for hobbyists, but it's essential to research each species' specific requirements to ensure their health and well-being.

1. Common name: Red Ball Sponge

   Scientific name: Aaptos suberitoides
2. 
   Common name: Algae Octopus

   Scientific name: Abdopus aculeatus
3. 
   Common name: Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

   Scientific name: Acanthaster planci
4. Common name: Cactus Sponge

   Scientific name: Acanthella acuta
5. Common name: Cave Sponge

   Scientific name: Acanthella cavernosa
6. Common name: Klethra Sponge

   Scientific name: Acanthella klethra
7. 
   Common name: Vaillant's Chiton

   Scientific name: Acanthopleura vaillantii
8. 
   Common name: Needle Cuttlefish

   Scientific name: Acanthosepion aculeatum
9. 
   Common name: Pharaoh Cuttlefish

   Scientific name: Acanthosepion pharaonis
10. 
    Common name: Orangutan Crab

    Scientific name: Achaeus japonicus
11. 
    Common name: Beadlet anemone

    Scientific name: Actinia equina
12. 
    Common name: Strawberry anemone

    Scientific name: Actinia fragacea
13. 
    Common name: Waratah anemone

    Scientific name: Actinia tenebrosa
14. Common name: tree anemone

    Scientific name: Actinodendron arboreum
15. 
    Common name: Branching anemone

    Scientific name: Actinodendron glomeratum
16. Common name: Branching anemone

    Scientific name: Actinodendron plumosum
17. Common name: Bannwarth's Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Actinopyga bannwarthi
18. 
    Common name: Spiny Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Actinopyga crassa
19. 
    Common name: Brownfish

    Scientific name: Actinopyga echinites
20. 
    Common name: stone fish (holothurian)

    Scientific name: Actinopyga lecanora
21. 
    Common name: Surf redfish

    Scientific name: Actinopyga mauritiana
22. Common name: Plump sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Actinopyga obesa
23. 
    Common name: Branching Hammer Coral

    Scientific name: Adreus fascicularis
24. 
    Common name: A nudibranch

    Scientific name: Aegires minor
25. 
    Common name: Green and black gill guard slug

    Scientific name: Aegires serenae
26. 
    Common name: orange elephant ear sponge

    Scientific name: Agelas clathrodes
27. 
    Common name: Brown Tube Sponge

    Scientific name: Agelas conifera
28. Common name: Rough Tube Sponge

    Scientific name: Agelas dispar
29. Common name: Fan Sponge

    Scientific name: Agelas flabelliformis
30. 
    Common name: Slimy Branching Sponge

    Scientific name: Agelas gracilis
31. Common name: Mauritian Sponge

    Scientific name: Agelas mauritiana
32. 
    Common name: Gold Sponge

    Scientific name: Agelas oroides
33. 
    Common name: Elephant Ear Sponge

    Scientific name: Agelas schmidtii
34. 
    Common name: Branching tube sponge

    Scientific name: Aiolochroia crassa
35. 
    Common name: Trumpet anemone

    Scientific name: Aiptasia mutabilis
36. 
    Common name: pale anemone

    Scientific name: Aiptasia pallida
37. Common name: Aldisa barlettai

    Scientific name: Aldisa barlettai
38. 
    Common name: King Ragworm

    Scientific name: Alitta virens
39. 
    Common name: Elegant squat lobster

    Scientific name: Allogalathea elegans
40. 
    Common name: brown snapping shrimp

    Scientific name: Alpheus armatus
41. Common name: Beautiful goby shrimp

    Scientific name: Alpheus bellulus
42. 
    Common name: red snapping shrimp

    Scientific name: Alpheus bisincisus
43. 
    Common name: Djeddah snapping shrimp

    Scientific name: Alpheus djeddensis
44. Common name: Immaculate Pistol Shrimp

    Scientific name: Alpheus immaculatus
45. Common name: fine-striped snapping shrimp

    Scientific name: Alpheus ochrostriatus
46. Common name: Pacific Pistol Shrimp

    Scientific name: Alpheus pacificus
47. 
    Common name: Randall's Pistol Shrimp

    Scientific name: Alpheus randalli
48. Common name: Red-spotted Pistol Shrimp

    Scientific name: Alpheus rubromaculatus
49. Common name: Twin Snapping Shrimp

    Scientific name: Alpheus soror
50. Common name: carrot-sponge

    Scientific name: Amphilectus fucorum
51. 
    Common name: erect rope sponge

    Scientific name: Amphimedon compressa
52. 
    Common name: Coconut Octopus

    Scientific name: Amphioctopus marginatus
53. 
    Common name: brittlestar

    Scientific name: Amphiura filiformis
54. 
    Common name: Holthuis' Shrimp

    Scientific name: Ancylomenes holthuisi
55. 
    Common name: Sarasvati Anemone Shrimp

    Scientific name: Ancylomenes sarasvati
56. Common name: Manjano Anemone

    Scientific name: Anemonia manjano
57. 
    Common name: Snakelocks anemone

    Scientific name: Anemonia viridis
58. 
    Common name: Feather star

    Scientific name: Antedon mediterranea
59. 
    Common name: giant green anemone

    Scientific name: Anthopleura xanthogrammica
60. Common name: Aperiovula juanjosensii

    Scientific name: Aperiovula juanjosensii
61. Common name: Crater Sea Squirt

    Scientific name: Aplidium crateriferum
62. Common name: Tabasco Tunicate

    Scientific name: Aplidium tabascum
63. 
    Common name: California Sea Hare

    Scientific name: Aplysia californica
64. Common name: Brown Sea Hare

    Scientific name: Aplysia depilans
65. 
    Common name: mottled sea hare

    Scientific name: Aplysia fasciata
66. 
    Common name: spotted sea hare

    Scientific name: Aplysia punctata
67. 
    Common name: Yellow tube sponge

    Scientific name: Aplysina aerophoba
68. 
    Common name: Stove Pipe Sponge

    Scientific name: Aplysina archeri
69. 
    Common name: row pore rope sponge

    Scientific name: Aplysina cauliformis
70. 
    Common name: Vase Sponge

    Scientific name: Aplysina cavernicola
71. 
    Common name: Yellow tube sponge

    Scientific name: Aplysina fistularis
72. 
    Common name: Stove Pipe Sponge

    Scientific name: Aplysina lacunosa
73. 
    Common name: California Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Apostichopus californicus
74. 
    Common name: Warty sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Apostichopus parvimensis
75. Common name: Burton's Starfish

    Scientific name: Aquilonastra burtoni
76. 
    Common name: Sand Sifting Starfish

    Scientific name: Archaster angulatus
77. 
    Common name: Indo-Pacific Beach Star

    Scientific name: Archaster typicus
78. 
    Common name: Regal Slipper lobster

    Scientific name: Arctides regalis
79. 
    Common name: Ardeadoris egretta

    Scientific name: Ardeadoris egretta
80. 
    Common name: Yellow Calcareous Sponge

    Scientific name: Arthuria canariensis
81. 
    Common name: Dwarf Cuttlefish

    Scientific name: Ascarosepion bandense
82. 
    Common name: Broadclub Cuttlefish

    Scientific name: Ascarosepion latimanus
83. 
    Common name: Papuan Cuttlefish

    Scientific name: Ascarosepion papuense
84. 
    Common name: Flamboyant Cuttlefish

    Scientific name: Ascarosepion pfefferi
85. 
    Common name: dirty sea-squirt

    Scientific name: Ascidiella aspersa
86. 
    Common name: Northern Pacific Seastar

    Scientific name: Asterias amurensis
87. 
    Common name: Northern Sea Star

    Scientific name: Asterias rubens
88. 
    Common name: Asterina Starfish

    Scientific name: Asterina anomala
89. 
    Common name: Nudibranch

    Scientific name: Asteronotus cespitosus
90. Common name: sheriff-badge sea star

    Scientific name: Asteropsis carinifera
91. 
    Common name: Fire Urchin

    Scientific name: Asthenosoma ijimai
92. 
    Common name: variable fire urchin

    Scientific name: Asthenosoma varium
93. Common name: Anderson's Sand Star

    Scientific name: Astropecten andersoni
94. 
    Common name: Red Comb Starfish

    Scientific name: Astropecten aranciacus
95. 
    Common name: Bispinosus Sand Star

    Scientific name: Astropecten bispinosus
96. 
    Common name: Sand Sifting Starfish

    Scientific name: Astropecten jonstoni
97. 
    Common name: comb star

    Scientific name: Astropecten polyacanthus
98. 
    Common name: Sea Sand Starfish

    Scientific name: Astropecten spinulosus
99. 
    Common name: Giant Basket Star

    Scientific name: Astrophyton muricatum
100. 
     Common name: Pale spine fire urchin

     Scientific name: Astropyga magnifica
101. 
     Common name: Blue-spotted Urchin

     Scientific name: Astropyga radiata
102. Common name: Living Fossil Sponge

     Scientific name: Astrosclera willeyana
103. Common name: flag pen shell

     Scientific name: Atrina vexillum
104. 
     Common name: Robust sea squirt

     Scientific name: Atriolum robustum
105. 
     Common name: Moon Jellyfish

     Scientific name: Aurelia aurita
106. 
     Common name: New zealand sea cucumber

     Scientific name: Australostichopus mollis
107. Common name: Aru Sponge

     Scientific name: Axinella aruensis
108. 
     Common name: Axinella cannabina

     Scientific name: Axinella cannabina
109. 
     Common name: yellow sponge

     Scientific name: Axinella damicornis
110. 
     Common name: branching sponge

     Scientific name: Axinella dissimilis
111. Common name: Yellow Sponge

     Scientific name: Axinella flustra
112. 
     Common name: Axinella Polypoides

     Scientific name: Axinella polypoides
113. Common name: Rough Sponge

     Scientific name: Axinella verrucosa
114. Common name: Axinyssa ambrosia

     Scientific name: Axinyssa ambrosia
115. 
     Common name: corkscrew anemone

     Scientific name: Bartholomea annulata
116. Common name: Curlycue Anemone

     Scientific name: Bartholomea lucida
117. 
     Common name: Berghia Nudibranch

     Scientific name: Berghia stephanieae
118. 
     Common name: Marten's Berthella

     Scientific name: Berthella martensi
119. 
     Common name: Social feather duster

     Scientific name: Bispira brunnea
120. 
     Common name: Banded Fanworm

     Scientific name: Bispira melanostigma