Aquatic Critters
These are aquarium inhabitants that are not really fish.
Newts
These critters are somewhat popular but rather hard to find. They like any water as long as it is unheated and clean. The Chinese Fire-belly Newt is probably the most common newt, and its manageable size of 3-4 in. makes it popular. The larger mandarin newt is a more land-loving newt than most, and it can get to 7 in. Gold belly newts are the same size as mandarins, but they like water more. Eastern spotted newts are water-loving 4 in. newts. The paddle tail newt looks like the red-belly, but don't be mistaken because they are much larger and meaner. Alpine newts are very tiny and hard to keep newts.
This is a fire-belly newt. Not very pretty from the top.
There is a little bit of his belly. A male.
Aquatic Frogs and Toads
These are frogs that generally stay in water and come up only for air. They like any temp., any ph water. The 2 in. dwarf african frog will not hurt any fish. African clawed frogs, on the other hand, grow to 6 in. and enjoy a fish meal. The 10 inch, ugly, flat suriname toad is not very popular.
Semi-Aquatic Frogs and Toads
These amphibians are much better for a terrerium than an aquarium. The water conditions don't really matter because they don't spend all their time in it. The 2 in. Fire-Belly Toad is very popular and common in most aquariums and stores. Other native frogs between 3-8 in. would also do good, but they may eat fish.
Snails
These are popular scavengers but often get out of control. They will thrive in warm water with a ph from 6.0-8.0. The common pond snail gets about 1.5 in. Apple and mystery snails both get about 2 in. and come in a variety of colors. Other snails between 0.5 and 2 in. are ramshorn and trumpet snails.
Shrimp
These are used mostly as feeder animals, but there are a few ornamental kinds. They like warm water and will thrive in a wide variety of ph.s. The ghost shrimp gets about 2 in. long and is very cheap. Cardinal and bee shrimp barely get bigger than 1.5 in. The large 4 in. bamboo shrimp is a filter feeder. Other shrimp under 2 in. are blue crystal, red, cherry, and algae eating shrimp.
Crabs
Although most crabs do better in a terrarium, there are a few that will live in an aquarium. As long as the water is warm and ammonia free, these crabs will do fine. The only crab that lives almost all of its life in the water is the 2 in. Red-Clawed Marsh Crab. Other crabs under 3 in. are the Fiddler and Patriot Crabs.
