So maybe a million was a bit overkill

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tizzo

Guest
I added a BUNCH of sandsifting crabs to my tank yesterday. I got them at the beach.
They pop in and out of the sand and look like popcorn! They are cool to watch, but I am thinking that I added to many, lol.
They really do sift the sand though. I have little divots all over it where they popped out then went back in!
I will keep you all posted on their progress or fatalities.
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
cool, I have been thinking of getting some for mine too. I guess i need to take the kids to the beach to search for some. did you QT them first.
 
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tizzo

Guest
Originally Posted by TeresaQ
http:///forum/post/2629182
cool, I have been thinking of getting some for mine too. I guess i need to take the kids to the beach to search for some. did you QT them first.
You don't have to search. Just where the water runs over the sand just at the edge, as it's going back put in a shovel and pick up some sand.
I filled a little sand castle bucket halfway with sand and had a million of them!
There were also a lot of those little clams in there! I think my nassarius eat those though.

Yeah, I see where it says they eat phyto. I guess we'll see if I have it in the tank, lol.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Originally Posted by Coral Keeper
http:///forum/post/2629258
I can collect some for ya if ya want? I'm going to the beach today.
Thanks for the offer, but if I can convince Tizzo, the shipping from Florida to NC is a lot cheaper than from CA. :)
 
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tizzo

Guest
What's this!!?? Another excuse to go to the beach! Heck yeah!
I know that shipping is rediculous these days, so if you wanna check 2 day from 34639, about 5 lbs.
I think they will be ok 2 day right?
Just so you know, I think the ones sold on this sight are larger than the ones I can send
 
nuro

nuro

Member
just a heads up on these guys, theyre specialized for life in the mid to high tidal zone where the waves are breaking over them, like coquinas. it may not make a difference but im not sure the nutrients they need are going to be there in our tanks. Has there been alot of success with these guys?
 
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tizzo

Guest
Good point. I have no idea. I will try to keep track of what my nassarius are doing. One was dead and they devoured it! So I'll look in on them and see if they are all in their little meeting of eating.
 
candycane

candycane

Active Member
Fact is they are use to highly oxygenated and even tempered waters as well. Since I was 7 years old I would dig the little round gray things up and then put them back to watch them dig a hole right back into the sand within seconds. There are about 3 dozen varities of snails that run from NC to Florida. Doesn't mean I am going to put them in my tank though because they are from tempered waters most of the time and their bodies are PROBABLY not regulated for 80 degree tanks. That is DEFINETELY one thing to keep in mind. Watch their health.
Edit: I dug mine up in Ocean City, Maryland 40 times a year if that tells you anything.
 
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tizzo

Guest
The water at the beach, I am not sure what temp it was but it was a comforable swimming temp. I do know that it gets cold though.
Highly oxygenated, I hafta agree and I wonder if that's why they keep darting out of the sand. I see them swim all the way to the surface at times.
And the beach was way saltier than my tank. It has a sg of 1.030! So here's to hoping.
 
candycane

candycane

Active Member
Originally Posted by Tizzo
http:///forum/post/2629363
The water at the beach, I am not sure what temp it was but it was a comforable swimming temp. I do know that it gets cold though.
Highly oxygenated, I hafta agree and I wonder if that's why they keep darting out of the sand. I see them swim all the way to the surface at times.
And the beach was way saltier than my tank. It has a sg of 1.030! So here's to hoping.
ALL of this means that you probably shouldn't put a lot in your tank (if any).
 
T

tizzo

Guest
I am leaning toward agreeing with you. They are very small so if they die, they will hardly put a dent in my bio-load, but a lot of the reason I wanted to add them was to know one way or the other how "compatible" they are in our tanks.
If they die, then this will be a good reference thread for anybody interested in them. I will go back and edit where I said that I recommend them until I see their survivability rate.

Thanks for the "wake up call" candycane. I was jumping the gun I think.
I researched enough to know that they are compatible, and not harmful, but not all of the other factors.
 
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