Mussels

clownfreak · 06/28/2010, 01:05 AM

I was wondering about keeping mussels in a tropical reef tank. I am currently in Alaska (I live in Michigan). Over the course of my trip I'll be clamming, fishing, collecting mussels, etc and I wondered if taking a small rock (5-10 mussels) of mussels could survive in my aquarium. My primary concern is the temperature difference between really cold Alaska and an 80 degree tank. Also would the rock need to be lifted out of the water for an hour or two twice daily to simulate tides? I plan to culture phytoplankton when I get back so I should be able to feed them. Finally, does anyone else know of any other goodies I may be able to snag for my tank? Thanks! Any advice is appreciated.

username in use · 06/28/2010, 05:03 AM

you really need tropical mussels. They won't survive with that kind of a temp difference. Divers Den gets some tr4opical musssels occasionaly.

LobsterOfJustice · 06/28/2010, 06:29 AM

Yeah, they will absolutely not survive. But if you have any angelfish or butterflyfish they will love the mussels if you crack them open and drop them in

Beaun · 06/28/2010, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LobsterOfJustice

Yeah, they will absolutely not survive. But if you have any angelfish or butterflyfish they will love the mussels if you crack them open and drop them in

+1, many fish love musscles if you just open them and drop them in, but they would never survive in reef temps.

travis32 · 06/28/2010, 07:27 AM

Are there Marine Mussels? I tried freshwater mussels many many moons ago, and they died and were disgusting.

I've never seen marine mussels for sale.

clownfreak · 06/29/2010, 01:35 AM

The mussels are marine, thanks everyone I appreciate the help. Anyone know of any goodies I may be able to grab for my tank while I'm here? I can't think of anything but if someone has any suggestions?

ludnix · 06/29/2010, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis32

Are there Marine Mussels? I tried freshwater mussels many many moons ago, and they died and were disgusting.

I've never seen marine mussels for sale.

I'd venture a guess there's a lot more species of marine mussels than freshwater. They are very common in intertidal areas all over the world.

Beaun · 06/29/2010, 06:41 AM

Nothing temerpare will surivive long term in a reef tank. I would just skip getting anything unless you get some seaweed with lots of critters in there, your fish will go nuts for them probably.

06/28/2010, 01:05 AM	#1
clownfreak Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 405	Mussels I was wondering about keeping mussels in a tropical reef tank. I am currently in Alaska (I live in Michigan). Over the course of my trip I'll be clamming, fishing, collecting mussels, etc and I wondered if taking a small rock (5-10 mussels) of mussels could survive in my aquarium. My primary concern is the temperature difference between really cold Alaska and an 80 degree tank. Also would the rock need to be lifted out of the water for an hour or two twice daily to simulate tides? I plan to culture phytoplankton when I get back so I should be able to feed them. Finally, does anyone else know of any other goodies I may be able to snag for my tank? Thanks! Any advice is appreciated.

06/28/2010, 05:03 AM	#2
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	you really need tropical mussels. They won't survive with that kind of a temp difference. Divers Den gets some tr4opical musssels occasionaly. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

06/28/2010, 06:29 AM	#3
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Yeah, they will absolutely not survive. But if you have any angelfish or butterflyfish they will love the mussels if you crack them open and drop them in __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

06/29/2010, 06:41 AM	#8
Beaun It's pronounced Bone Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Hampton, NY Posts: 1,967	Nothing temerpare will surivive long term in a reef tank. I would just skip getting anything unless you get some seaweed with lots of critters in there, your fish will go nuts for them probably. __________________ -Tyler "The only legitimate use of a computer is to play games." -Eugene Jarvis Current Tank Info: None

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06/28/2010, 07:27 AM	#5
travis32 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: West Fargo, ND Posts: 2,161	Are there Marine Mussels? I tried freshwater mussels many many moons ago, and they died and were disgusting. I've never seen marine mussels for sale.

06/29/2010, 01:35 AM	#6
clownfreak Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 405	The mussels are marine, thanks everyone I appreciate the help. Anyone know of any goodies I may be able to grab for my tank while I'm here? I can't think of anything but if someone has any suggestions?