Oysters.

tyler1503 · Dec 9, 2014

I had a great idea but I don't actually know how great it really is. Well...a friend actually gave me this idea lol.
Has anyone tried keeping live oysters in their tanks? I figured once the oysters begin breeding (which happens when the waters warm up to near tropical conditions, perfect in a marine tank) the eggs will provide corals and small fish with the worlds freshest (and hopefully healthiest and most nutritious) oyster roe. I'd keep them in the return section of my sump so that the eggs get directly dispersed throughout the tank via the return pump and so the oysters don't become dinner themselves.
Is this a bad idea?
I imagine some nutrient issues and cloudiness, but I'm not 100% sure how bad it could get. My gut says "No Tyler. That's just stupid", but my head says "Go for it! What's the worst that could happen?!". My heads a lot nicer than my gut!

This isn't something I'm considering doing right now, I just thought I'd ask before I forget and so I could have a base knowledge for future reference if it does sound like an alright idea.

Tahoe61 · Dec 9, 2014

Oysters are filter feeders, long term success is rare. The system to house Oysters needs to have enough suspended particles of food within the water column to meet the Oysters nutritional needs. I have seen tanks with resident Oysters, however there were only on or two present.

tyler1503 · Dec 9, 2014

Thanks Tahoe

I'd only want one or two. It would get way too messy once breeding starts with any more I think.
Being filter feeders do you think a heavily fed fowlr would have enough bits to keep them happy? Or would I need to supplement something extra? I add rotifers to my homemade mix and am considering adding a few more smaller sized ingredients when they're available at the LFS. Probably daphnia, artemia and phytoplankton.

tgp4274 · Dec 9, 2014

my thoughts would be we keep clams so why not oysters..... n have thought about getting one or two myself...

Tahoe61 · Dec 10, 2014

We keep Tridacna successfully because of their zooxanthellae and photosynthesis. I have kept little neck clams that I bought at the grocery store in tanks for months at a time. A tank already feeding NPS might support Oysters.

SantaMonicaHelp · Dec 11, 2014

hmmm... I'm wondering about this too since I'd like to grown my own oysters for food

(not really), but wouldn't that be awesome?

tyler1503 · Dec 11, 2014

SantaMonicaHelp said:
hmmm... I'm wondering about this too since I'd like to grown my own oysters for food (not really), but wouldn't that be awesome?

Haha yea I think that's a great idea!
Maybe we can grow up some tuna and salmon too