Sand Crabs from the beach into the Reef?

[Luckyduck]

So I'm currently sitting in the beach in the Outer Banks and it just dawned on me, Sand Crabs are probably great for keeping the sand bed churned up. My father in law call them sand fleas but I'm pretty sure that's a different creature. There are thousands of them all along the surf in the sand. I know they can be found all over the world. I've already done some reading and have seen people have kept them. Lots of different sizes. I was wondering if anyone herr has kept them or if they're even safe to add to my aquarium. I'm pretty sure they're filter feeders or eat detritus. I was thinking about grabbing a half a dozen; size half of my pinkey nail. I would dip them first to make sure they dont have any parasites. What do y'all think?

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

We have some mole crabs in a tank at the National Aquarium and they're notoriously difficult to keep alive. The origional intention was to put them on display because they're so cool when they feed. We haven't been able to keep them alive long enough to make it a worthwhile display unfortunately.

Even with daily feedings of live rotifers and baby brine shrimp, they don't last very long. We're not sure if it's the nutrition or that they just have a short lifespan. Whatever the reason, they usually don't last more than a few months to a year tops.

 

[AlexKintner]

That's a sand flea. Great sheepshead bait

 

[Luckyduck]

We have some mole crabs in a tank at the National Aquarium and they're notoriously difficult to keep alive. The origional intention was to put them on display because they're so cool when they feed. We haven't been able to keep them alive long enough to make it a worthwhile display unfortunately.

Even with daily feedings of live rotifers and baby brine shrimp, they don't last very long. We're not sure if it's the nutrition or that they just have a short lifespan. Whatever the reason, they usually don't last more than a few months to a year tops.

Perfect response. Exactly what I was looking for. Knowledgeable & experienced. Thank you. Not sure if I'll pull the trigger then and bring any home. Got a long 12 hr drive too so idk how they would fare the trip either. I've got a couple days to think it over. Also do you think a dip in Brightwell Aquatics Fish MD would hurt them? If I did bring them home I want to make sure I'm not introducing any parasites to my tank.

 

[tehmadreefer]

It’ll just die in your tank and yes they are called sand fleas.

 

[TriggerFinger]

Had to google these, very creepy looking! I collected what I thought was empty shells and sand from Panama City beach on the morning we drove home. They were in the car for roughly 14 hours and it turns out they were not empty shells. The smell was horrendous. If you decide to take them home, a bucket with sand and water is probably better than a ziplock bag. Keep us posted!

 

[tehmadreefer]

Had to google these, very creepy looking! I collected what I thought was empty shells and sand from Panama City beach on the morning we drove home. They were in the car for roughly 14 hours and it turns out they were not empty shells. The smell was horrendous. If you decide to take them home, a bucket with sand and water is probably better than a ziplock bag. Keep us posted!

No point in even taking them home they WILL die in our aquariums. Best to just leave them be in the wild.
Ppl need to be more responsible about taking wildlife that WILL 100% without a doubt die in captivity.

 

[Biglew11]

anyone who's been to boot camp on Paris island knows a different sand flea, ouch nasty little efers.

 

[Luckyduck]

No point in even taking them home they WILL die in our aquariums. Best to just leave them be in the wild.
Ppl need to be more responsible about taking wildlife that WILL 100% without a doubt die in captivity.

Yea I agree. I dont want to take something that I know isn't going to survive. They may live for a month they may live for a year but I don't want to knowingly take something I know I cannot provide for.

 

[Luckyduck]

Had to google these, very creepy looking! I collected what I thought was empty shells and sand from Panama City beach on the morning we drove home. They were in the car for roughly 14 hours and it turns out they were not empty shells. The smell was horrendous. If you decide to take them home, a bucket with sand and water is probably better than a ziplock bag. Keep us posted!

Yikes I bet! Lol I got a nice response from one of the National Aquariums saying they tried to keep them but they died after a few months. Not sure if it's that they have a short lifespan or they are just hard to provide for but I don't want to take something I know is going to be difficult to care for and chances are I am the reason it doesn't survive.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Theyll foul your tank as they dig, rarely eat and survive and will grab fish if they can

 

[NashobaTek]

anyone who's been to boot camp on Paris island knows a different sand flea, ouch nasty little efers.

Lol I have been there! Marine corps boot camp.

 

[old salt reefer]

I used to bring them home (in a gallon jug as carry on on airplane) and put them into my tank. They never made it to the bottom as my triggerfish ate them as fast as I put them in. Ah the good old days(this was at least 3 decades ago).

 

[Reefer Reboot]

I also tried these years ago in a temperate tank. Had the same lousy luck. Perhaps if there was a way of keeping enough human feet in the sand bed for them to chomp on we could have better luck.;Inpain;Playful