Web-Ordered vs. Wild

[reefs4life]

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_1...ategory=4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4

This website sells these little guys but I've seen tons of these at beaches on Jersey shore and I was wondering if it's ok to just take a few next time I go down there and put them in my tank. My worry is...would they cause issues in my tank?

 

[jhale]

I don't think they would like our tanks high temperatures.

 

[reefs4life]

Yea I didn't think of that but then how do they sell those? It doesn't have any temperature range in which they should be kept at. If they were given a long acclimation period would the wild ones be ok to keep?

 

[nmprisons]

They would be fine if acclimated, the problem is that this species lives almost exclusively in surf zones and so I just can't imagine that the typical home aquarium would be set up to maintain them effectively.

Additionally they are plankton eaters - I imagine that makes them quite hard to feed.

 

[wxl14]

I would order one and see how it does.

 

[reefs4life]

yea but it says they eat things in the sand so I'm sure there's enough little animals in my sand for them to live off of. And I know what you're saying about the environment they live in but they do sell them for home aquariums so I'm guessing they can get used to it

 

[Sean]

Who knows if it's the same crab?
I've never seen this available for the hobby before. Does anyone know the Genius and species of it?

 

[jejton]

I dont think they are even true crabs, though I believe they are decapods. Like posted earlier, they live in the intertidal/surf zone and would need that kind of environment to thrive in all likelihood. Just because something is sold for the home aquarium doesn't mean it should be in the home aquarium.

 

[wxl14]

its a emerita talpoida. They seem to be filter feeders. they dig in the sand and put up there little filters.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

First question to ask is do you have permission (a permit) to collect livestock from the ocean. If the answer is no then the only answer to your question is ordering on the web or buying from a LFS, Vendor Sponsor or member.

 

[Domboski]

I don't know anything about that crab but if you are looking for a free sand sifter go with the mud snails ([FONT=arial,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Ilyanassa obsoleta). They are everywhere especially on the wood near docks or boat ramps and considered a nuisance by local environmentalists. They do very well in the common temps of our reef tanks. I have some in one of my tanks living in the over flows and sump and have been for more than two years. I have tons of them in my seahorse tank. They are all over the glass at night and make day appearances if mysis shrimp settle on the sand.

The only thing you need to worry about is the transfer of parasites or disease. I haven't had any issues but you never know especially since your most likely collecting them in human "high traffic" areas.and shallow water.
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[BZOFIQ]

First question to ask is do you have permission (a permit) to collect livestock from the ocean. If the answer is no then the only answer to your question is ordering on the web or buying from a LFS, Vendor Sponsor or member.

There is no permission needed to collect this stuff in local (NY) waters. The only thing you don't want in your buckets is clams and breeding crabs. Mostly everything else (critters) can be collected.

I've collected and kept plenty of stuff from local waters and could tell you that these things don't live in the tank. Local nassarius tend to do great thou. Water in the coastal areas reacher temperatures higher than what's found in a normal reef tank during low tides. Just don't collect stuff in January and dump it into the tank expecting it to live.

 

[Domboski]

There are other fish that do well in warmer waters that are found locally like the Northern Puffer (I currently have 5 from last spring), Oyster Toadfish, Naked Goby and others. But as mentioned by a few others within this thread, most do not do well.

You did the right thing by asking first. :thrash:

xoomercom is right too. In fact, collection for the home aquaium is an exception in most legislation I've read. It is mostly commercial collection that is regulated. I believe fishing for food is considered commercial even if not for resale.

 

[ellebelle]

When I was getting certified for SCUBA in New York, I was told that we were allowed to collect a lot of different organisms. There were only a few species that were restricted to those with a proper license.

 

[rgun2515]

How do you think the 42" bluefish I caught in the Hudson last night will do in my tank? Is it a reef safe fish?

 

[BZOFIQ]

^^^ I tried with the 216LBs Thresher Shark last summer but he wouldn't fit.

 

[BZOFIQ]

There are other fish that do well in warmer waters that are found locally like the Northern Puffer (I currently have 5 from last spring), Oyster Toadfish, Naked Goby and others. But as mentioned by a few others within this thread, most do not do well.

You did the right thing by asking first. :thrash:

xoomercom is right too. In fact, collection for the home aquaium is an exception in most legislation I've read. It is mostly commercial collection that is regulated. I believe fishing for food is considered commercial even if not for resale.

When it comes to fish, you can collect anything tropical. Local game species cannot be collected when small. There are a lot of small baracuda's over at the Rockway bridge in the summer, don't put those in the bucket or the feds will haul your @ss along with your car.

 

[Domboski]

When it comes to fish, you can collect anything tropical. Local game species cannot be collected when small. There are a lot of small baracuda's over at the Rockway bridge in the summer, don't put those in the bucket or the feds will haul your @ss along with your car.

That's pretty cool. Well not being hauled away by feds but Barracudas in the area. I'm fascinated with the local wildlife and the tropical strays in the summer months. I use this link a lot to ID fish on LI: http://www.newsday.com/other/special/naturalworld/ny-nw-marinefishes,0,7575144.story

I've heard on many occasions about Lionfish being found on LI in the summer months. Swim at your own risk! LOL

 

[ellebelle]

There is some crazy expensive shark dive off of the coast of LI somewhere - cages and breathing tubes (as opposed to using regs).

 

[jejton]

Its out of Montauk.