Can Crayfish Live With Fish?
Crayfish are fascinating and full of personality, but they're opportunistic predators and escape artists. When they can share a tank with fish, when they can't, and how to set them up.
Critters
25 articles
Amano Shrimp vs. Cherry Shrimp: Which Belongs in Your Tank?
Two of the most popular freshwater shrimp, with very different strengths. Size, algae eating, breeding, water needs and tank mates compared.
Assassin Snails: The Pest-Snail Fix That Actually Works
Assassin snails eat bladder, ramshorn and trumpet snails. How fast they work, how many you need, what water they like, and how to keep them from going lazy.
Should a Chameleon Share Its Tank With Fish, Frogs or Crabs?
Chameleons should live alone. Here's why fish, frogs, crabs and other lizards don't belong in a riparium, and what a chameleon needs instead.
Can Crayfish Breathe Air? What Their Gills Actually Need
Crayfish breathe through gills, not lungs. Learn how long they last out of water and what that means for keeping one.
Do Crabs Have Gills? How Crabs Breathe in Water and on Land
Yes, crabs have gills, including land crabs that keep them wet in a sealed chamber. Learn how some crabs add lung-like tissue to breathe air.
Are Clams Alive?
Lots of people don’t know the answer to this question. Clams are a type of shellfish, and they cling to rocks in saltwater habitats like oceans and bays. They live buried in…
What Do Crayfish Really Eat, in the Creek and in Your Tank?
Wild crayfish mostly eat decaying plant matter, plus live plants and small prey. Learn what to feed a pet crayfish, with calcium and copper warnings.
What Do Sea Stars Eat? Clams, Coral and a Stomach That Leaves the Body
Sea stars eat clams, mussels, coral, and rock film. See how they digest prey outside their bodies and what their diet means for tanks and beaches.
Can Crabs Swim? Some Paddle, Some Only Walk, and Some Can Drown
Most crabs can't swim well. Learn which crabs have paddle legs, which only walk, and which land crabs can drown.
What Do Shrimp Eat? Slime, Soft Algae, Parasites, and Their Own Old Shells
Shrimp eat biofilm, soft algae, decaying plants, and their own shed shells. Here's what to feed them in a home tank and how much.
Can Snails Live With Bettas? Which Snails Work and What Can Go Wrong
Find out which snails can live with a betta, what tank and water they need, and what can go wrong, from nipping to copper medication.