I would like to add a couple invertebrates to my tank...

I have an unheated 30 gallon tank, whose inhabitants consist of one red telescope goldfish, two white cloud minnows, and we'll be adding a Shubunkin as soon as my fiancee finds one she likes.

I would like to add one or two invertebrates to the tank.. to help with cleanup, and just because I think they're pretty neat.

I don't have any live plants to worry about getting eaten, and someone who likes to eat a little algae wouldn't hurt. I can also provide plenty of hiding spots if need be.

I'm preferable to lobsters, crabs, and shrimp, but I'm no expert on inverts.

Any suggestions?

 

I'm not quite sure if they'll do well with your goldfish... Usually the goldfish will keep picking on them and then eat them.

 

I have an unheated 30 gallon tank, whose inhabitants consist of one red telescope goldfish, two white cloud minnows, and we'll be adding a Shubunkin as soon as my fiancee finds one she likes.

I would like to point out that goldfish are very dirty fish. And though they may be fine 30gallons is pretty tight. keep up with your water changes. once you add that Shubunkin your tank will be pushing the bioload limit (if not surpassing it). I hope you do weekly water changes at least... don't mean to be a downer just informing.

I would like to add one or two invertebrates to the tank.. to help with cleanup, and just because I think they're pretty neat.

I don't have any live plants to worry about getting eaten, and someone who likes to eat a little algae wouldn't hurt. I can also provide plenty of hiding spots if need be.

I'm preferable to lobsters, crabs, and shrimp, but I'm no expert on inverts.

Any suggestions?

"One or Two" dwarf shrimp wouldn't do very much at all to a 30 gallon tank, as far as algae, and would most likely get eaten by your goldfish...

Crabs would undoubtedly eat your fish. Most lobsters would as well.

I would suggest 10-15 amano shrimp, or ghost shrimp. They are a tad larger and if you add "lots of hiding places" then chances are they'll survive long enough to reproduce and if you have the right amount then they would reproduce fast enough to not get wiped out... But be carefull I'm not sure how big a white cloud minnow is but ghost shrimp will eat small (0-1.5") fish...

anyways you could always get a small 5 gallon setup and get some cherry shrimp : )



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Oh and it also depends on you goldfish's personality... he may be so docile you could have even dwarf shrimp no problem or he could be so aggressive he would eat them as soon as they hit the water... their like people it just depends.

 

I would like to point out that goldfish are very dirty fish. And though they may be fine 30gallons is pretty tight. keep up with your water changes. once you add that Shubunkin your tank will be pushing the bioload limit (if not surpassing it). I hope you do weekly water changes at least... don't mean to be a downer just informing.

Oh, I'm not worried about that. I do weekly 25-30% water changes, and I test my water once, if not twice a week. The tank was home to a second goldfish plus more previously without any problems, so I know my tank can handle it.

"One or Two" dwarf shrimp wouldn't do very much at all to a 30 gallon tank, as far as algae, and would most likely get eaten by your goldfish...

Crabs would undoubtedly eat your fish. Most lobsters would as well.

I would suggest 10-15 amano shrimp, or ghost shrimp. They are a tad larger and if you add "lots of hiding places" then chances are they'll survive long enough to reproduce and if you have the right amount then they would reproduce fast enough to not get wiped out... But be carefull I'm not sure how big a white cloud minnow is but ghost shrimp will eat small (0-1.5") fish...

The white clouds are small fish, but I don't think I'd be terribly concerned about them as they rarely (if ever) go anywhere near the bottom of the tank.. Plus, they're extremely quick and are very skittish, especially about being near other fish other than their own.

Oh and it also depends on you goldfish's personality... he may be so docile you could have even dwarf shrimp no problem or he could be so aggressive he would eat them as soon as they hit the water... their like people it just depends.

Honestly, I think she's a little.. "slow" ? ;D
Kinda dumb, actually... She barely takes notice of the minnows, or anything else that's going on. Even when I had more fish in the tank, she never bothered any of them.. she always just plays by herself. Actually, the only thing she ever really notices is when my fiancee puts her face to the glass or I throw flakes in the water! But, she's cute as anything, so we love her.