Catching Wild Shrimp, Snails, and Crabs??????????

[saltman123]

I am curious to know if it is possible to catch live critters and successfully keep them in a tank???

I live on the Long Island sound and there are tons of mini snails, hermit type crabs, and small clear looking shrimp. Along with other normal little fish.

I am curious to know if I can keep these snails in a reef tank??? Or will they not survive since they are not tropical? Keep in mind that we have hot summers, but the water goes cold for the winter. So fish aren't very colorful, and I have no clue what happens to the life in the winter since the waters go quiet, and cold.

Would these types of critters be able to live in a reef tank with tropicals? I figure it might be cool if I can quarantine them for a while, and then drop them in.

Anyone have input?

This post has been edited by saltman123: Today, 04:03 AM

 

[GobyMaster]

Saltman,

I have caught live hermits and snails. They did quite well after their initial quarintine period. They have become an integral part of my tank's cleanup crew.

I would say go for it with a few of each species and if they live, they live. If they don't, then you'll know not to try it again.

Best of luck

 

[Anonymous]

I would recommend against it as the native stuff you keep will more than likely perish. If you insist on collecting stuff, act now and you can collect your own tropical fish.

I went diving last weekend and caught just about a dozen tropicals but I saw many more. In fact I am going to try and get back out this thursday.

You'll be saving these guys from death since they will die once the water starts it's cool down.

Good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

Hermits are mostly bullet proof - some are not picky about what they eat and some will take your snail's shell. I do use "wild" hermits in my tanks.


The small shrimp are a good food source if easily caught. I would keep in mind that some nasty things could also be introduced into your tank though.

 

[Anonymous]

Also keep in mind, the two people who have posted in support of your wild collection are from South Carolina, where water temps are much warmer in the summer and stay that way longer.

He's collecting from the sound. The temps rarely get past the high 60's. Perhaps low 70's for a couple of weeks. The water doesn't get into the 60's here until mid to late summer and in the next few weeks it's going to drop dramatically.

 

[saltman123]

Thanks for all of the great feedback.

After considering the replies here and from other boards, I have decided to just stick to buying from tropical regions.

I was just thinking it would be cool to save some of the local fish since they probably die off with the cold. Yes, the water definitely stays much colder here and it only lasts a short bit.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

 

[Meloco14]

I have read a few threads now that mention the tropicals dying off when winter comes. Is there proof to this or is it just a theory? I would think the tropical species would migrate north with the warm water, and as temperatures recede they migrate back south. Do the current patterns or water temp changes not allow for this on the east coast? Does the gulf stream cause problems with this? Out here on the west coast species tend to me more migratory, and come and go with the seasons. I don't think they just die off every winter :? .

 

[Anonymous]

Hermits are very resilient and adaptable - take the temp of a small tide pool and see how hot they can get. If you use the shrimp as a food source I don't think water temp will be their biggest concern. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

If they were being used as food I don't see much concern for their long term survival. But the OP asked on keeping them successfully and "living"

Yes tide pools get warm, but only during that low tide. They hermits will eventually get a reprieve.

As far as the tropicals dieing when winter comes. I don't really think that's just a theory. They don't migrate here by choice. They are swept up here by the gulf stream. The coves where they live, usually in 15 feet or less of depth, often freeze over in the winter. I can't see any tropical being able to adapt to such conditions. Also, they are incredibly tiny. Probably brought up here as fertilized eggs and then hatched out while they are here. 99.9% of the ones I have seen average thumbnail size. I have caught a few bigger ones here and there but that's been extremely rare IME. In fact all the damsels I caught the last time I dove were less than half an inch. Butterflies as well except one which was maybe nickel size if that. If they were surviving the winter there would be tons more adult sized tropical fish.

 

[Meloco14]

As far as the tropicals dieing when winter comes. I don't really think that's just a theory. They don't migrate here by choice. They are swept up here by the gulf stream. The coves where they live, usually in 15 feet or less of depth, often freeze over in the winter. I can't see any tropical being able to adapt to such conditions. Also, they are incredibly tiny. Probably brought up here as fertilized eggs and then hatched out while they are here. 99.9% of the ones I have seen average thumbnail size. I have caught a few bigger ones here and there but that's been extremely rare IME. In fact all the damsels I caught the last time I dove were less than half an inch. Butterflies as well except one which was maybe nickel size if that. If they were surviving the winter there would be tons more adult sized tropical fish.

I see. I didn't think they would survive the winter, but would perhaps migrate back down to cooler water. But from your description it is clear that they are mostly juveniles that have been swept up north unwillingly, as opposed to migrating. Poor little guys .