Top 10 Clean Up Crew for Your Reef Tank

In Today's video, we are going to take a look at the Top 10 Clean Up Crew for Your Reef Tank. A cleanup crew is slang for invertebrates that serve the purpose for cleaning up (by way of eating) algae, detritus, and uneaten food in a reef tank. If you're new to my channel make sure you subscribe for more.
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[@douglascampbell5284]

my favorite invertebrate in my tank is my cleaner shrimp everytime I stick my hand in the tank there he is to start checking me out and making sure I don't have anything I'm not supposed to have on my hand and it's almost like I can't take my hand out of the tank untill he is done. So much personality in that little shrimp

[@HeTookThem]

Man that's so cute and very good cleaner too

[@LordBonesaw]

@@HeTookThem that’s why there called cleaner shrimp captain obvious

[@osvaldodalama2481]

Py

[@drewbe06]

My cleaner shrimp. He's my favorite thing in the entire aquarium. He has so much personality!

[@oliverrichmond9862]

“Jacc” clean him “we”

[@matiasarias9496]

Oui

[@kyleschroeder9865]

@@matiasarias9496 wi

[@alexdobmeier]

Really great cleanup crew shown this week. My favorite invertebrate is my pin cushion urchin. He picks up all the empty shells I leave for hermit crabs.

[@silvercityreef6385]

Another great video! I really enjoy the "Top # XXXX" videos, especially yours because you actually include pictures and good explanations, pros, cons, etc.

[@chrismazzucca7104]

Love my margarita snails! Always busy and the 6 I have got added to my 29 gallon reef about 8 months ago and still going strong! Awesome vid as always

[@andrerusso4311]

Great content especially for those either new or returning to the hobby after a long absence

[@iceover12]

Great list, wouldn’t change much about it. I agree the serpent star is my favorite!

[@bobbyspencer6770]

I’m really new to the salt tank hobby and I have a 22gal and loving it,I love my emerald crab 🦀

[@waterskiertom]

setting up new tank and good help is always a plus

[@jennifersledge599]

The serpent star is my favorite. I love watching his tentacles poke out from the rock and wave around looking for food. My mom visited and was absolutely fascinated by him!

[@LordBonesaw]

I have hundreds of them

[@daniellac1101]

My favorite are the emerald crabs, but as you mentioned, they are not as hardy as some of the other critters. I also just added a few turbo snails which have seemed to be helpful!

[@rodney81500]

Setting up a 75 gallon reef thank right now can’t wait to see it finished

[@lazcar45]

Great video! Just found your podcast in iTunes a couple of weeks ago, great stuff! Keep up the good work.

[@MadHattersReef]

new episodes coming soon...

[@joepugner3232]

Have nassarius snails in my tank and love them. Also have an emerald. And that dude goes crazy for any algea it can grab

[@cameron6824]

As always a good top 10 pick there Jeff 😎👍

[@gabesreef]

This is one of your funniest videos. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Great video as always

[@nathanmoore7142]

I have about half of your top 10. Nice video. Keep them coming.

[@carlheller6648]

I'm still new to saltwater keeping I don't have a favorite one yet mybe the peppermint shrimp. I started my saltwater tank for me but now my kids are loving saying it's there tank and that fine by me.

[@mohammedfaizbelgami8780]

I really appreciate your suggestions Jeff. Thank you!

[@MadHattersReef]

Glad you like them!

[@davidbugden2359]

Nice I cant want to get a tank and get started! Your videos inspire me!

[@michaelbeach6983]

Sweet video. I just started a Nuvo 30L and put in a cleaner shrimp, astrea snails, blue leg crabs and red leg crabs.

[@mikeleonard8521]

Nice Video. Thanks Jeff!

[@okayexpressdeliveryllc9583]

Great video!!! Excellent info for the beginner!!

[@MadHattersReef]

Glad it was helpful!

[@patrickmiller8098]

Cleaner shrimp. He works hard all the time. Now I want a serpent star. This is great thanks for your time.

[@Bfamreef]

I would agree totally with you about blue leg hermits. You can put a ton of then in the tank and they stay smaller so when they do climb over corals they dont cause problems.

[@ttravreefsaquatics8354]

Great selection man😎

[@ReefandDive]

Amazing! Cleanner shrimp is for sure my favorite! There’s a study showing this amazing shrimp is capable of eating even swimming forms of parasites

[@MadHattersReef]

A reef tank wouldn't be a reef tank without one.

[@mrkess28]

Love your videos. Love astrea and trochus snails.

[@jbliss2000007]

Great job brother!

[@catzawadzski3748]

My fav invert has always been the Trochus snail along with the Fighting Conch.

[@javigl]

Awesome selection...

[@mtbtrails6665]

my reef tank had a problem with aiptasia andI was tired of using aiptasia x which only works temporally, but after adding 2 peppermint shrimp, a day later they were all gone and has stay that way for months. I definitely recommend getting a few as part of your clean up crew. A most have!

[@falcolf]

Do you have a skunk cleaner shrimp too? Do they get along? I'm really attracted to the peppermints' anti-aiptasia-ness but I really really want a skunk cleaner shrimp. 😅

[@kyles_exotics]

Great video!

[@jenkinscrew]

Great video! I just got some emerald crabs and peppermint shrimp.

[@tinabloomfield7228]

LOVE how you try to say Nassarius hee hee!! Great video Jeff. I have most everything on this list for my clean up crew. I don't have a cucumber or a emerald crab. Will have to look into getting some. I was under the impression when it came to punk crabs that it was the blue legged one that was the bully. Im going to have to look at that as well as I have both hahaha. My favorties are my skunk cleaner shrimp

[@MadHattersReef]

Thanks, Tina. sounds like you have a well-stocked clean-up crew.

[@williamchristian4031]

Love the video

[@evandylewski4562]

I am about half way through my cycle, and this was the perfect video for me! I dont have a clean up crew yet, but I do have a three bivalve hitchhikers from my live rock.

[@MadHattersReef]

Clean up crew is a good place to start once you are cycled.

[@evandylewski4562]

@@MadHattersReef thank you. I have a good idea for the display tank, and my display refugium. Do you have any suggestions for the sump?

[@66patrick6]

I'm still pretty new to the saltwater game, but I'm in love with my Blue Tuxedo Urchin. They're supposedly nocturnal but I always see my little guy cruising around the tank taking care of algae. They're pretty inexpensive and come in a wide range of "blue" and even their spines can have a little red tint to them. They'll pick stuff up to camouflage themselves which might not be ideal if you've got new frags or snails you want in a specific spot, but my little dude currently looks pretty good hanging out with a new teal Discosoma mushroom hat. Wheres the urchin love at, Jeff?

[@darthlatitude2105]

Same I love my urchin. Such a cool character

[@AmericanReefing]

Great video Jeff 👍 I completely agree with your list probably the only thing I would add is a sea hare thanks as always buddy

[@MadHattersReef]

They almost took the spot of the sea cucumber... almost.

[@chillfeelrelax5357]

i dont have any invert yet but im looking at as much informations a could get to start my first reef tank ! For now i love the serpent starfish ! Thanks for all the info on your channel!

[@MadHattersReef]

We need more ladies in the hobby! Thanks for watching.

[@jeffsreeftank]

Nice selections 👍🏾👍🏾

[@williamdiggles]

Great video might have to try a couple different inverts

[@ixy54]

My favorite is the peppermint shrimp just added a couple to my tank, as well as a Babylonia Nassarius Snail (Leopard Snail) that was recently gifted to me.

[@Don.keybals]

"I read it on the internet so it must be true"

[@jenniferm234]

everything on the internet webs is true!! ;-)

[@reefboy2558]

Jennifer M, no!

[@Mortyvids]

@@reefboy2558, r/wooosh

[@justindonflorendo7478]

That deserves a like

[@diedie3986]

@@jenniferm234 no it's not the media is usually trying to brain wash you

[@SharonCodyCowgirlCreations]

I really like hermit crabs. I have several types but the red legged is probably my favorite. He is very active, changes shells often, sleeps on top of various coral and is just an all around clown of a hermit. I never knew they could be so entertaining....and he is always busy doing his job...eating!

[@realreview01]

Awesome vídeo brother!!!!!

[@MadHattersReef]

Thank you!

[@brentmercer1951]

Right now I am just starting over and I have ghost shrimp, two Astrea snails and 3 blue leg hermit crabs but need to get more snails and crabs. I do feel that the cleaner shrimp is my favorite because they do an awesome job at keeping the fish clean and in my last tank I would sit and watch the cleaner shrimp clean the fish off and then that fish would leave and another would come, sometimes the fish he just cleaned would keep coming back. I plan on getting more cleaning crew and I want to have a softy coral tank 55 gallon.

[@jorgiocastro9600]

My fav is my candy cane pistol shrimp. He's created a whole maze for himself and his domestic partner hi fin goby. Its fascinating to watch.

[@lokeyacolyte2145]

I really really didn't like the look of Cleaner Shrimp. Shrimp just visually kind of creep me out. But your description of them 'exfoliating' their tankmates and setting up little cleaning stations ect. are winning me over BIG TIME. Thanks so much for another great video!

[@merpz8820]

Just added Blue Legged hermits and Trochus snails to my new tank. Need an Emerald Crab next!

[@zxjoshxz]

I just picked up two cerith snails and 3 blue legged hermits along with a royal gramma. Very excited. Was gonna get some peppermint shrimp but they were out of stock so will be going back to get them.

[@LordBonesaw]

Bye snails as crabs will kill them and take there shells

[@rollyman3754]

Is this top 10 the recommendation for Bare Bottom tanks as well? Some of the crew mentioned here like to dredge, and or bury in sand, basically sand is there natural habitat yes.

[@jordanyoung5516]

I have always liked the sand sifting gobies!

[@dinalagos5865]

love the new intro

[@MadHattersReef]

Thanks!

[@opethmike]

Best part of the nassarius is the rising from the sandbed like a zombie thing they do. So entertaining.

[@MadHattersReef]

I haven’t had them in a while but I had some that would roll out of the sand bed like a ninja.

[@NNak8]

great video

[@jeremyspiteribailey8156]

Clean up crew list without any urchins on it is like having a burger without bread 😂 pretty much agreed with the rest!

[@mikereisman3676]

I have a pair of Banded coral shrimp that are a ton of fun to watch. They are peaceful with each other and very active scavengers.

[@codyritenour8820]

Can’t believe it didn’t make the list but I love my tiger conch!

[@milkshaketurtle7937]

I'd classify some Blennies as cleanup crew. I had some patches of algae. I added one in, and each day, those patches would thin out. Whenever I scrape algae off the glass, he'll climb out of his cave and just start eating right off the rocks. Not to mention how cool they look.

[@taranockolds2452]

Good vid just starting up

[@dellessard4569]

Tiger Conch is def my favorite!

[@hannahviolet927]

Cleaner shrimp is my favorite

[@user-he8qn6rn7h]

Nice top10

[@gabriellondon5882]

I like the new intro!

[@MadHattersReef]

Thanks 🙏

[@RipVanWinkle_Nature_Discovery]

Enjoyed this vid because I love Clean Up Crew vids! Personally I can't see how cerith snails laying eggs could be annoying. For me it would be like someone saying that they're annoyed that their coral is growing. But I digress :D I agree with you on the point that seacucumbers should be more available. I have two in my system, one in the sump and one in the display fuge. They do tend to get quite large though. Nerite snails. Much better than astrea snails for removing algae. Will also reproduce in your tank and can right themselves if flipped. I think astrea snails are more popular because they're more beautiful. Small cowries. Small cowries are phenomenal. They devour cyano as well as hair algae. After they get over two inches they can start to become unsafe for coral, though. But they can be kept for a good 3-4 years before that happens, Limpets are fantastic glass cleaners. Another one is chitons. Excellent for detritus. Pistol shrimp for sandbeds. Awesome. I've pretty much given up on hermit crabs because they kill my snails. Thanks for the vid Jeff!

[@stevenhall1385]

I agree with you 100% on the snails reproducing, my shrimps & crabs constantly reproduce, I look at it as they're just adding plankton to the reef. I'm a huge fan of invertebrates, I'm lucky enough to be able to collect all my own from where I live in Florida, but I've had a little trouble with limpets, cowries & peppermint shrimp. My limpets & cowries ate my sponges, My prepermit shrimp attacked & picked apart my 16" Medusa worm seacucumber. I usually collect mated pairs of Coral Banded Shrimp, Pistol shrimp & goby pairs, Arrow crabs, Emerald crabs, reef crabs, & hermit crabs all different color cucumbers & urchins, Turbo &, Nissarius and a couple 1.5 " Hawk Wing Conchs. snails. I see chitons all over rocks but I never thought about collecting any, I didn't know what they ate.

[@calamari.jaksun8914]

I have Nassarius Snails and Red Leg/Blue Leg Hermits in my brackish tank. (SG 1.010-1.015) The Hermits are coastal so they encounter brackish water sometimes, Nassarius Snails are found in estuaries too not just saltwater.

[@flutie1000]

My favorite is the peppermint shrimp because my tank was infested with Aiptasia, I bought four of them and they devoured them 😁

[@tristantyt3990]

My peppermint Shrimps ate my crab and won't clan up anything😐

[@flutie1000]

@@tristantyt3990 ohhhhhhh poo !!!!! You sure bout dat lol

[@tristantyt3990]

Yes

[@Redridininyohood]

We just got a live coral yesterday. It came with one fancy and one micro red and white brittle starfish. However it also came with 2 aiptasia, I'd read peppermint shrimps are great for this, but I REALLY want a fire shrimp and it is said they will eat them? :-( and can be little terrors. Please enlighten me on your experience with them?

[@legendabsolute]

my favorite invert has to be the purple banded trochus snail, they are so lively and are great at eating algae growing on the glass. just wish they were more available in my area so I can try my hand at breeding them

[@donquixote2206]

My lfs suggested a Conch to stir sand and go after algae. That thing is so damn cool. My urchins also are mesmerizing. Just so extraterrestrial

[@pagekarsteter9818]

Dang I was hoping you said the fighting conch, I have one and they are excellent at turning up the sand bed

[@davidlenhof7034]

My Favorite is the emerald crab, I have one that is getting pretty big! I threw one away I thought as dead but after finding a shell I believe he was in a molt. Poor guy.

[@sunnygoold9449]

What was the first one? The snail? I don't get why eggs are annoying except getting between the magnet and the glass and cause scratches when you clean. So do they multiply or do the eggs die - if so I would pick them. My favorite has to be the urchin but I'm so stoked to see a sea cucumber - I wonder how much sand you need for one of those? Thanks again - once again amazing info ;)

[@thereefinrican]

Great list Jeff. Every time I put peppermint shrimp in my tank I never see them again.

[@MadHattersReef]

Many years ago, I bought a cleaner shrimp and it freaked out when I put it in the tank. Swimming backward all over the tank, landed in a giant aiptasia and died. I was a little upset.

[@chrisgomez9638]

just began the hobby and i am already 3 tanks in. just set up my biggest one and threw 20 red legged hermits lol!

[@ramblingsfromthedark]

I'm looking into setting up my first tank. What are the best for beginners? There are a few you named here we liked are they ok for beginners?

[@desireerudolph5992]

So as you have the 2 different shrimp in the list....can you have more than one kind in the same tank or no, or only over a certain size tank? Also is there a good urchin that is fairly reef safe and beginner friendly? ☺ I am almost ready to start cycling my first marine tank and so determining what I Wang for cuc, for when that's done Found your info helpful, especially with pics and pro/con included. 👍✌

[@kevinkamphuis4154]

Nice video 👍

[@kevinkamphuis4154]

BTW nassarius snails

[@what_tha0485]

Question can i pair any of the critters together? Like a red legged hermit/ cleaner shrimp/ and asterisk snail

[@garagebuilt4542]

Hello! Good video mate, I have a 12 gallon nano tank with 2 zombie snails, 1 clown fish and an emerald crab. (I have a sand bottom) I have a problem with detritus for a while now and I just can’t seem to get rid of it. All my parameters are good and I have a protein skimmer as well. Any advise to help out?

[@MARINETV]

all the crew you selected are great but I would say sand shifting stars and cucumbers are most underrated clean up crew of the time

[@MadHattersReef]

Shifting stars are very good as well..

[@rudy6222]

MARINE TV true. I have both of those.

[@slgaray]

Not a big fan of crabs. But I do have a ton of snails and shrimps. Turbo snails do a good job as well.

[@scotty2salty327]

Nass...Nassar...Nassarius snail lol Love those guys! So cool to see their little doodles sticking out of the sand. When you feed the tank those suckers pop right out! They're great at keeping that sand bed stirred up as well are the sea cucumbers. Sea cukes are some of my favorites for that. I refer to them as vacuum cleaners that eat up dirty sand and poop it out clean. Great video man. I just got back into the hobby after a 7 year break. So glad to be back! Tank is currently cycling, just about finished though. Can't wait to start adding critters!

[@sarareetz4124]

I love my cleaner shrimp!

[@stenki1214]

I have a 5.5 gallon tank I just set up. I am completely new to saltwater but have kept freshwater for 6 years so I don’t know much about saltwater. How many inverts and what of these organisms can I keep?

[@annef2111]

I have a love hate relationship with my red legged hermit...definitely a jerk but always cleaning 🧹 😂🤣

[@MadHattersReef]

Very True. Thanks for watching Anne.

[@MeekoHerptile]

I like Trochus snails. Mine can right themselves no problem when they fall.

[@donquixote2206]

MeekoHerptile my astreas never touched my green hair algae. I’m looking at getting some Trochus next, I heard they put that stuff away

[@MeekoHerptile]

@@donquixote2206 thankfully I've never had outbreaks of gha (yet). A few sprout every now and then on the powerhead but a few drops of peroxide gets rid of them. But If it does appear elsewhere I hope the Trochus eats it, too.

[@douglascampbell5284]

@@MeekoHerptile what do you mean a couple of drops of peroxide.... To the tank or a bucket with the power head in it??? Really curious

[@MeekoHerptile]

@@douglascampbell5284 I apply the peroxide directly on the sprigs of algae in the tank itself. I also apply a few drops on the powerheads. I use a small syringe. I do this when the algae and equipment are exposed to the air during water changes. I wait a couple of minutes. Then I scrub with a toothbrush and fill the tank back up. The zoas and soft corals get irritated by the peroxide and close up but they're OK again after a while.

[@em8908]

My partner and I are trying to find a good tank cleaner for our bamboo shark but we aren’t quite sure what to do because Bai (our bamboo shark) will eat pretty much anything that’s small enough to fit in his mouth or that isn’t semi aggressive (or can hide) do you have any suggestions???

[@robertvega2114]

Question: how many of each on your top 10 list would you suggest for what you have in your tank? I think this is a really good list but I also would like to know what you have estimated in stock for your tank

[@MadHattersReef]

For snails and hermit crabs I do one per gallon. Outside of that I would do one per 50 gallons

[@AshImprezaTV]

Mad Hatter's Reef Same In a 135 gallon tank?

[@codyhill2783]

I love the blue legged hermit crabs they are very harty.

[@MadHattersReef]

Yes they are🤓

[@compyginorio5604]

I got a cleaner shrimp "Noodles", a nassarius snail "Scope" and one Blue Leg Hermit "Wilson" hes my favorite because hes the sole survivor from a crew from almost two years ago. But he still around strong. I need to add more "slaves" because it's a 90 gal and can't keep up. But they are cool inhabitant.

[@catherinebelek9638]

New to the hobby and always looking for info on how to do it right and easier. I have a 100 gl reef started with a few beautiful fish...how many or any of these would be good to have??

[@MadHattersReef]

I’m old school when it comes to hermits and snails. I do one per gallon and I restock them yearly.

[@saltyshanker]

Hi i still haven't received the box yet , how long does it usually take to arrive ? thanks :)

[@alexstinson9146]

I have watched peppermints tear up some aiptasia first hand. It is worth noting they are a lysmata shrimp, and can exhibit some of the same cleaning properties of the cleaner shrimp.

[@houndar1]

We have 2 Trochus snails in my wife's tank and they do a great job and keeping it clean.

[@mikenielsen6038]

Didn't know that about an Emerald Crab. Just put one in my tank two weeks ago and have only seen him once.

[@MadHattersReef]

They are very nocturnal critters.

[@marya783]

New to saltwater, what’s the best thing for green hair algae? Excellent video as always!!

[@MadHattersReef]

Pull as much of it as you can out of the tank. then test your phosphates. Hair algae like high phosphates.

[@marya783]

Mad Hatter's Reef The tank is only been going 3 months and my phosphates are really low. Although I may be getting misleading readings as the algae is growing rapidly. I will pull out the long stuff and then do another water change. Thanks for the advice.

[@slateeboi884]

My pepermint shrimp ate the 3 aptaisia in my tank after ignoring them for 2.5 months. That being said the same shrimp attacked my long tentacle nem the second i added it to the tank. I litterally hadnt finished placing the nem before that shrimp started snacking. He has not touched that lta in the last 3 weeks so idk what his deal is.

[@scottfloyd9794]

I have had them all presently several in my 29. What would be a good quantity for my new 120?

[@MadHattersReef]

I shoot for 1 per gallon on hermits and snails

[@emadhassan5298]

good