A balanced cleanup crew helps keep algae, detritus, and leftover food under control in reef aquariums.
Core cleanup crew roles
- Snails: glass, rock, and film algae control
- Hermit crabs: scavenging and detritus cleanup
- Shrimp: leftover food and ecosystem diversity
How many should you add?
Start small and adjust gradually based on visible algae and feeding volume. Over-stocking cleanup crews can cause starvation.
Best stocking strategy
- Cycle tank completely before adding inverts.
- Add a few snail first.
- Introduce crab carefully and monitor aggression.
- Add cleaner shrimp once parameters are stable.
Track nitrate, phosphate, and feeding trends in the ReefBay app to tune your crew size over time. Shop livestock and supplies in the ReefBay marketplace.
