8 Best Saltwater Clean-Up Crew (Snails, Crabs, & More!)

If you own a saltwater aquarium, you know keeping it clean is no small task. Algae builds up, uneaten food lingers, and waste accumulates — leaving you with a less-than-pristine tank. The good news? You don’t have to do all the dirty work yourself. You can introduce a team of the best clean-up crew out there! These hard-working critters will help naturally keep your tank spotless.

Why You Need a Clean-Up Crew

Saltwater aquariums are ecosystems, and every ecosystem benefits from a good clean-up crew. These little guys help with:

• Algae busters: Snails, crabs, and shrimp are the heroes that snack on algae, stopping it from overtaking your corals and keeping your tank looking fresh.
• Waste warriors: Leftover food and fish waste can turn into nasty toxins. But your clean-up crew gets to work before that happens, munching through the debris and protecting your water quality.
• Detritus decomposers: Bristle worms and Nassarius snails are like nature’s little garbage trucks. Weird analogy, we know, but it’s true! They break down organic waste so it doesn’t pile up in the sand or rocks.
• Substrate aerators: Sand-dwelling critters dig, burrow, and stir up the substrate. By doing that, they keep the substrate from compacting and releasing harmful gas pockets.
• Less work for you: A solid clean-up crew means less scrubbing algae and vacuuming substrate. What’s better than that? They give you more time to enjoy your tank and less time with the cleaning gloves.

Okay, so you get it now. But which critters are seen as the best saltwater clean-up crew? 

Best Snails for Saltwater Tanks

Snails are some of the best members of any clean-up crew. They’re peaceful, effective, and each species has its own specialty. Here are three snails to consider!

1. Nassarius Snails (The Sand-Sifters)

Nassarius snails burrow deep into the substrate, aerating it and preventing waste from building up — basically, they’re like tiny, underwater gardeners. They’re perfect for reef tanks with sandy bottoms.

Bonus Fun Fact: These snails have an awesome party trick — they rise from the sand like little zombies when they smell food. It’s like your tank gets its own zombie apocalypse show, but with snails instead of, you know, actual zombies.

2. Trochus Snails (The Algae Eaters)

Trochus snails munch on diatoms, various types of algae, and those pesky film algae that try to ruin the party. Not only are they great for cleaning up your tank, but they also have a special talent: if they happen to flip over, they don’t panic — they flip themselves back over like the pros they are.

These guys are reef-safe and low-maintenance, making them a no-brainer for keeping things pristine with minimal effort.

3. Cerith Snails (The All-Purpose Cleaners)

Cerith snails are your all-around, do-it-all cleaners. They’re not picky eaters  —they’ll feast on algae, detritus, and even leftover fish food. Plus, they’re perfect for sand and rock surfaces, so they’re super versatile. They’re also night owls, so while you’re catching some zzz’s, they’re getting to work, cleaning up while you sleep. If only we could all be that productive at night, right?

Best Crabs for Saltwater Tanks

Crabs are excellent scavengers, and some even help control nuisance algae. However, not all crabs are reef-safe, so choose wisely. Here are a few to consider that are always ready to lend a claw when things get messy. 

4. Emerald Crabs (The Bubble Algae Destroyers)

Emerald crabs are famous for their ability to munch through the dreaded bubble algae that can take over your reef tank. Not only do they help with that, but they’re also great at scavenging detritus and leftover food.

However, they’re not exactly the mellowest crabs around — they can be a bit feisty at times, especially when they get hangry. So, to keep them from becoming too interested in your corals, make sure they’re well-fed. 

5. Hermit Crabs (The All-Terrain Cleaners)

Hermit crabs are the ultimate scavengers, constantly on the lookout for detritus, algae, and any uneaten food your fish leave behind. They’re always working, never taking a break. These crabs are fantastic for cleaning rocky and sandy areas in your tank, so they’re great if you have a mixed substrate.

One thing to keep in mind — hermit crabs need spare shells as they grow, or they might start eyeing your snails’ shells as potential upgrades. No one likes a crab fight over real estate, so make sure there’s plenty of spare shells to go around.

Best Saltwater Shrimp for Saltwater Tanks

Shrimp are fantastic additions to any clean-up crew. They’re stealthy, efficient, and can tackle all kinds of mess — whether it’s algae, detritus, or even parasites. Here are some top picks to consider for your clean-up crew. 

6. Peppermint Shrimp (The Aptasia Hunters)

If you’ve ever had a run-in with the dreaded Aptasia anemones, you know how annoying they can be. Enter the peppermint shrimp, your tank’s natural pest control. These guys have a serious appetite for Aptasia, happily munching them down before they can overrun your reef. But they’re not just about the tough jobs — peppermint shrimp will also scavenge detritus and leftover food, so they’re always keeping things clean.

7. Cleaner Shrimp (The Fish Groomers)

Cleaner shrimp are the ultimate fish spa attendants. These little guys love to remove parasites and dead tissue from your fish, which, let’s be honest, is a pretty sweet deal for everyone involved. They’ll happily set up their “shop” in the tank, providing your fish with some much-needed grooming services. And let’s be real, watching them get their little cleaning business going is both amusing and fascinating.

Popular choices include Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (with their adorable white stripes) and the Blood Red Fire Shrimp, which not only does a great job cleaning but also adds a pop of color to your tank.

8. Fire Shrimp (The Bold Scavengers)

If you’re after a shrimp that’s a little more on the bold side, the fire shrimp is your go-to. These guys are excellent scavengers, picking up any leftover food or detritus that other creatures might miss. They also offer a bit of parasite-cleaning service, though they’re more focused on the food side of things.

How to Choose the Best Saltwater Clean-Up Crew for Your Tank

Picking the best saltwater clean-up crew is a bit like assembling the perfect squad for a mission. Not every tank needs the same team, so it’s important to consider your tank’s specific needs. Here’s how to choose the right crew to keep things sparkling clean.

• For reef tanks: With reef tanks, it’s all about protecting your precious corals. You’ll want to stick with reef-safe species that are gentle on your corals while still getting the job done. Look for Trochus snails, Nassarius snails, Emerald crabs, and Cleaner shrimp. 
• For fish-only tanks: Fish-only tanks give you a bit more flexibility when it comes to your clean-up crew. You don’t have to worry about being too gentle with corals, so you can bring in a wider range of critters. That said, avoid overly aggressive crabs that might go after your fish or other inverts. Stick with a mix of snails, crabs, and shrimp that will get rid of leftover food, detritus, and algae without causing trouble in your fishy paradise.
• For sandy substrates: If your tank has a sandy bottom, you’ll want critters that are great at keeping the substrate clean and aerated. Nassarius snails are fantastic for this, as they burrow and sift through the sand. Sea cucumbers are also your friends here — they’ll help break down organic matter that can cause waste build-up in the sand. 
• For heavy algae problems: If algae is becoming your tank’s unwanted house guest, it’s time to call in the big guns. Trochus snails, Emerald crabs, and Hermit crabs are your go-to crew for battling those pesky algae blooms. These guys are hard workers and will quickly get to work keeping your tank algae-free. 

Make Tank-Keeping Smarter With Aquabuildr!

Building the best saltwater clean-up crew is just the beginning — why not take your entire aquarium experience to the next level? Aquabuildr is the first-ever tank-building app with an intelligent algorithm designed to help you create, monitor, and maintain a thriving aquatic ecosystem with ease. From selecting compatible fish to tracking water parameters, Aquabuildr does the hard work for you — so you can focus on enjoying your tank. 

Ready to level up your fish-keeping game? Download Aquabuildr on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store!