Water Quality testingPetSmart offers free aquarium water testing. By bringing in a sample of your aquarium water, we can test the quality within minutes. See the guide on Setting Up an Aquarium for more information about water quality and water testing.

PetSmart® Care Guides were developed and approved by PetSmart veterinarians. For more

information on the care of pets, visit

petsmart.com/careguides

This Care Guide contains general information regarding the proper care of your pet, but is not comprehensive. For more information,

visit petsmart.com or see additional Aquatic Care Guides.

tHings tO WatCH FOr • Decreased appetite or activity• Swollen joints• Excessive shedding of the skin• Inflamed or discolored skin or shellIf you notice any of the signs described above, speak with a PetSmart store associate or a veterinarian about the health of your pet.

AquAtic invertebrAtes

includes: snAils: Mystery, rAMs Horn, MAlAysiAn

sHriMp: GHost, AMAno AlGAe-eAtinG, crystAl, cHerry crAbs: red clAw, Mini Fiddler

lobster: FresHwAter

AQA628

sHOPPing list

©2011 PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PETSMART & Bouncing Ball Designs and VET ASSURED are trademarks of PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc.

step 1: Choosing an aquarium

A glass or acrylic aquarium

Aquarium stand

Aquarium hood with light fixture and bulbs

Automatic timer, if desired

step 2: Filtration and Heating

Filtration system (see associate for best solution)

Aquarium heater and thermometer

Aquarium beneficial bacteria starter

step 3: substrate and Decor

Aquarium gravel

Decorations (driftwood/rock/ornament)

Live plants and/or artificial plants

Air-powered ornaments, with air pump and tubing, if desired

nutrition and Maintenance

Pelleted food

Frozen or freeze-dried supplements

Algae cleaning pad or scraper

Fish net

Water test kit/strips

Gravel vacuum (for water changes)

Water conditioner/dechlorinator

Did you Know? Many species of Aquatic Invertebrates are peaceful

and can be kept with tropical community fish, but be sure the sizes are compatible. Juvenile freshwater lobsters and crayfish can be kept in a community aquarium, but as adults they may

harass their tankmates and should be kept by themselves or with other large fish.

Lobsters, crabs and shrimp shed their skin in order to grow.

eXPerienCe leVel:

14+

Lifespan

Size

Habitat

Habitat

Habitat

14+

Lifespan

Size

Habitat

Habitat

Habitat

1-2" (3-5 cm) long, Lobster up to 8" (20 cm)

Keep separate or tropical community aquarium

14+

Lifespan

Size

Habitat

Habitat

Habitat

Approximately 2-5 years

Beginner

PetsMart CaresPets purchased at PetSmart are part of our exclusive Vet Assured™ program; a program designed by PetSmart veterinarians to help improve the health and well-being of our pets. The program includes:• Specific standards our vendors agree to meet in caring for and observing pets for common illnesses.• Specific standards for in-store pet care.• The PetSmart Promise: If your pet becomes ill during the initial 14-day period, or if you’re not satisfied for any reason, PetSmart will gladly replace the pet or refund the purchase price.

AQA628_Invertebrates_CG.indd 1 5/3/11 2:17 PM

Precautions

Do not release Aquatic Invertebrates or any other pet into the wild. They likely will not survive, but they may transmit diseases to the wild animals or otherwise be harmful to the environment.

aquarium • Most freshwater Aquatic Invertebrates require an aquarium habitat similar to freshwater tropical fish. A good rule of thumb is one gallon (4 L) of water for every 1" (2.5 cm) of full-grown fish or invertebrate.

aquarium stand • An appropriate aquarium stand will safely support the weight of your filled aquarium.

• Aquariums weigh as much as 10 lbs. per gallon capacity and require strong stands.

• Locate your aquarium in a low-traffic area, away from direct sunlight and drafts.

Hood and light Fixture • Place an aquarium hood with light fixtures on the aquarium to reduce water evaporation, splashing, and escape.

• The light should be on for 8-12 hours a day. Turn it on during the morning feeding, and off after the evening feeding, or use an automatic timer.

aquarium gravel • Use 1.5 lbs (680 g) of aquarium gravel for every gallon (4 L) of tank capacity to make a 2-3" (5-8 cm) layer on the bottom of the aquarium. Rinse the gravel in a clean container before adding it to the aquarium (do not use soaps or detergents as they may be toxic).

Plants • Decorate the aquarium with live or artificial plants.

• Live aquatic plants are beneficial for snails, which will graze on their leaves.

Ornaments and rocks • Use ornaments and rocks that are designed for aquariums to provide caves for sheltering crabs and shrimp.

• Hiding places should be offered to provide a secure area as a retreat.

nutrition • Snails will eat green algae from the aquarium, but they will also accept all kinds of commercial flake and pellet foods. Lobster, crabs and shrimp must be fed sinking pellet foods that they can find at the bottom of the tank.

• Feed lobsters, crabs and shrimp as much food as they will consume in three minutes, twice a day.

• Vary their diet by including frozen (thaw first) or freeze-dried brine shrimp, bloodworms, tubifex worms and other foods.

• Make sure fish do not eat all of the food before the invertebrates can find it if keeping them in an aquarium with fish.

Maintenance Maintaining a healthy environment for your Aquatic Invertebrates is an ongoing commitment. A newly set up aquarium requires more frequent monitoring with weekly water testing and changing if necessary. Once the water quality is stable, you can keep your aquarium in great shape with minimal effort by following this schedule:

Filtration and HeatingSTEP 2

Filtration (mechanical and biological) • Undergravel filters or power filters will provide aeration and filtration for the aquarium. Consult filter package for appropriate filter size.

• The filter should move the water in the aquarium through the filter media 3-5 times per hour. The flow should be gentle enough to not blow the Aquatic Invertebrates around in the aquarium.

• Add beneficial bacteria supplements to your aquarium to promote biological waste break down during initial set-up.

Water Heater and thermometer • Use an aquarium heater to maintain the water temperature. The general rule for aquarium heaters is five watts of power for each gallon of aquarium water. For large aquariums, it is better to divide this into two heaters, one at each end of the tank, rather than using one large heater.

• Aquatic Invertebrates require water temperatures ranging between 68-82º F (20-28º C).

Nutrition & Maintenance Choosing an AquariumSTEP 1 Substrate and DecorSTEP 3

See the informative care guide on Setting Up an Aquarium for more details.

Maintenance Schedule

Daily

Remove 10% of the water and replace with dechlorinated water.

Test water quality weekly in new aquariums.

Scrub glass to remove algae, if necessary.

Vacuum gravel and replace 25% of water with dechlorinated water.

Test water quality in established aquariums.

Perform filter maintenance (replace filter cartridge, replace carbon, rinse pre-filter, etc.).

Scrub algae and prune live plants, if necessary.

Feed Aquatic Invertebrates twice daily. Check water temperature and general health.

Weekly

Monthly

Always wash your hands before and after handling Aquatic Invertebrates, their water or aquarium. Adults should assist young children with hand washing and monitor children around pets. Do not clean habitats or equipment in the kitchen sink or near food preparation areas.

a

B

C

F

G

H

D

E

a

B

C

DE

EG

H

F

AQA628_Invertebrates_CG.indd 2 5/3/11 2:17 PM