Are these reef safe I got some out of the sand down the jersey shore ?

[richiero]

[thegrun]

Sand crabs typically do not fair well in our warmer tropical tanks.

[Greysoul]

Also, putting in your own wild caught stuff is a wonderfully effective way of introducing parasites, disease, and unwanted/nuisance species to your tank.

IF for some reason you think it would survive, setting up quarantine tanks and careful multi-month monitoring of any wild caught specimen is essential to prevent chaos in your DT.

And it's also worth mentioning that there are often various laws related to animal collection from the wild... might be worth at least knowing if they would apply to you where you live.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Originally Posted by thegrun

Sand crabs typically do not fair well in our warmer tropical tanks.

Yes, and we can't provide the proper diet for them. They will perish in your tank.

[Paul B]

Those crabs will not survive for more than a few days. I have collected them many times. They are really intertidal crabs and live where the waves break.
They are not illegal to take as they are not game fish or food creatures. The EPA would not even know what they are. I use local NY creatures in my reef all the time and found out what will and will not live.

[29Biocube]

Originally Posted by Greysoul

Also, putting in your own wild caught stuff is a wonderfully effective way of introducing parasites, disease, and unwanted/nuisance species to your tank.

IF for some reason you think it would survive, setting up quarantine tanks and careful multi-month monitoring of any wild caught specimen is essential to prevent chaos in your DT.

And it's also worth mentioning that there are often various laws related to animal collection from the wild... might be worth at least knowing if they would apply to you where you live.

I see your point but wanted to dig at it a little more. What about getting Live Rock from the Ocean that we purchase online or in stores that sell them directly from the ocean? Aren't we risking the same parasites? I'm talking about LR is used to cycle the tank not cured.

[snorklr]

mine immediately became hermit crab food

[ktownhero]

Originally Posted by Greysoul

Also, putting in your own wild caught stuff is a wonderfully effective way of introducing parasites, disease, and unwanted/nuisance species to your tank.

IF for some reason you think it would survive, setting up quarantine tanks and careful multi-month monitoring of any wild caught specimen is essential to prevent chaos in your DT.

And it's also worth mentioning that there are often various laws related to animal collection from the wild... might be worth at least knowing if they would apply to you where you live.

Its also a good way to make your reef way more resilient. Reefs != sterile labs

[ganjero]

Originally Posted by Greysoul

Also, putting in your own wild caught stuff is a wonderfully effective way of introducing parasites, disease, and unwanted/nuisance species to your tank.

IF for some reason you think it would survive, setting up quarantine tanks and careful multi-month monitoring of any wild caught specimen is essential to prevent chaos in your DT.

And it's also worth mentioning that there are often various laws related to animal collection from the wild... might be worth at least knowing if they would apply to you where you live.

Where do you think most critters come from? Many reefers living near the ocean catch their own critters. As with any critter coming from any source it is just important to quarantine.
As for these sand crabs the answer has be giving by previous posters.

[Paul B]

What about getting Live Rock from the Ocean that we purchase online or in stores that sell them directly from the ocean?

I use live rock from the sea all the time. I don't have a problem with parasites.
But if you have a system where you quarantine animals, you would have to quarantine rocks as well

[shesacharmer]

I think I'm leaning toward the theory that biodiversity is a good thing and our tanks are too sterile...that's like using hand sanitizer all the time and wondering why your kids are always sick.

I'm going to add NSW to my tank and some real sand, and mud if I can find it, next time I go to the sea for a day. And I'm going to blame Paul B. if it all goes to h*ll!!!

[Paul B]

Just blame me, my wife does it all the time.

[29Biocube]

Originally Posted by Paul B

I use live rock from the sea all the time. I don't have a problem with parasites.
But if you have a system where you quarantine animals, you would have to quarantine rocks as well

I live in San Diego, we have a direct access to ocean water and that's what many of us locals use in their tanks with no ill effects. So i'm thinking that having some critters like crabs and sea stars well mainly the cleanup crew can be added well without quarantining them.

I have some dead rock, i'm thinking just putting it back into the ocean for a month or so and see what happens when brought back.

[leveldrummer]

Originally Posted by Paul B

Just blame me, my wife does it all the time.

but she is usually right isnt she?

[Paul B]

If you use NSW as I sometimes do, there should not be much need for quarantining. Don't beat me up that is just my opinion and I have been doing this for 60 years.
And yes, my wife is always right, even if she is wrong.