Crabs from the local rock pier

[T-tank]

Has anyone tried to put a small crab from the rock pier into their reef tank …. For hair algae or bubble algae ?
(Seal Beach rock pier …. HB. Or any pier)

Can they even survive full time submersion ?

 

[bluemon]

Seems like a bad idea on many different levels.

1. Our average reef tank is a lot hotter than our local waters.
2. We might be introducing unknown pathogens into the tank
3. Most crabs are omnivorous, and will most likely eat things that we don't want them too.

Why are you willing to take a risk on such things when an emerald crab is 7 dollars?

If it's food for a mantis, I get.

 

[T-tank]

I don’t like the hit- miss on ecrabs and pitho.

if an Ecrab is GUARANTEED to eat bubble I’ll buy it for $20.

The hotter temp will be a show stopper.

Maybe try it in an “experimental tank”?

 

[bluemon]

If you think emerald crabs and pithos are hit and miss, these random shore crabs will be an even bigger hit or miss.

Did you see these guys eat bubble algae on the rocks? Just not sure why you would think about adding them to your tank. Snails I can understand, but I would never add a random crab unless I can ID it 100%

 

[T-tank]

You sir are correct on all of your points.

I just want to know did any one try it ……

 

[jamie1210]

Not really related to crabs but I took home some sea grass off redondo beach a couple years ago. It lived for only a few weeks before declining. I agree with the above poster who said the creatures living locally will hate living in our substantially warmer tanks

 

[bluemon]

You sir are correct on all of your points.

I just want to know did any one try it ……

I know people collect shore crabs for mantis and fish food (puffers and the likes)

But none who puts them to do a job.

I've seen people do it with snails but they are mostly harmless

 

[T-tank]

I know people collect shore crabs for mantis and fish food (puffers and the likes)

But none who puts them to do a job.

I've seen people do it with snails but they are mostly harmless

So where is the concern of introducing pathogen into our tanks.

 

[bluemon]

So where is the concern of introducing pathogen into our tanks.

That's always a concern, which is why I don't do it myself. Plus those usually are the types of tanks that can handle hitchikers better (Mantis or FOWLR)

Also why people freeze these crabs FIRST and then feed them

 

[Tangerine Speedo]

Even IF temperature wasn't a factor, shore crabs and most crabs are scavengers, they will eat anything they deem food. But in reality they are escape artist and will end up dried up under your couch.
If you need a emerald crab I have a couple, you can come over and pick one up this weekend.

 

[Raptor72]

Not really related to crabs but I took home some sea grass off redondo beach a couple years ago. It lived for only a few weeks before declining. I agree with the above poster who said the creatures living locally will hate living in our substantially warmer tanks

I’ve always wondered about that seagrass. I always find some with roots and think “maybe, just maybe”.

 

[dansyr]

I’ve always wondered about that seagrass. I always find some with roots and think “maybe, just maybe”.

For work, I grow some of the a local species (Zostera) and it's indeed a pain, relatively low success rate but can be done. needs to be cold, i keep in the 58-60F range, bright but not insane lights (~4000 lumen 5000K led), and good mixing flow. I suspect deep, undisturbed silty sand bed is critical too. And tall tanks. They just need a pretty not-reef setup (unless you go for the tropical seagrasses, different story).

 

[Tangerine Speedo]

For work, I grow some of the a local species (Zostera) and it's indeed a pain, relatively low success rate but can be done. needs to be cold, i keep in the 58-60F range, bright but not insane lights (~4000 lumen 5000K led), and good mixing flow. I suspect deep, undisturbed silty sand bed is critical too. And tall tanks. They just need a pretty not-reef setup (unless you go for the tropical seagrasses, different story).

I second that! I try ever blue moon in my temperate tank, sometimes I feel I get close, but then it fails. on the other hand I have a species of Dictyota coriacea that has completely taken over the tank.

 

[carram204]

I’ve had one in my tank before and it just ate all my snails and hermit crab's.

 

[T-tank]

I’ve had one in my tank before and it just ate all my snails and hermit crab's.

Ahh. Now first hand experience. Thanks.

 

[five.five-six]

Also illegal. You need a special permit to collect indigenous specimens locally. Even if you legally catch a fish and bring it home and put it in your tank instead of eating it, that’s illegal.