Beach Fleas

[tat2z_21]

So I was walking the warm, warm beaches of Whidbey Island yesterday. I came across a little hopping crustacean. I dug into the sand a bit and there were millions of them. I tried doing some research on them and could not come up with anything. I did find that they are great scavengers, but is that a carnivorous scavenger or a herbivor. I was thinking that I could possibly add them to my refugium just because they are free and they seemed to do a good job of cleaning under a log I rolled over. If any one out there has a better discription for these little creatures I would appreciate it. I did bring one home and my dwarf zebra was quick to find him and made him dinner just as fast. So would this be a better substitute for the nutrient lacking ghost shrimp. Call me cheap but if it is free and it works better then I might just stick with it. I am just wondering what other effectsw this could have on the tank.

 

[eliterecon14]

Were they sand fleas? Did it look like this?

http://www.dpughphoto.com/images/beach flea cbsp 121205.JPG
then it would be a sand flea if not please take a photo for better id.

 

[Chichas01]

I would be careful introducing a wild specimen like that into your tank. you could introducing disease tropical fish have no defense against. Also, it's doubtful they'd survive in a tropical marine environment since they come from cold water. But hey, now you have an excuse to set up Pacific North West cold water biotope!

 

[tat2z_21]

It looked something like that except it had bright red antannae. It was about 1/2 inch.

 

[tat2z_21]

Now I was told and I am probably wrong but because of the exoskeleton of a crustacean that parastic creatures are not able to hold on. But I am not really worried about the survivol of them it is more for feeding my lionfish.

 

[plack]

I would not simply because the lionfish may get some bacteria that it has no defense against.

It may work well and even be beneficial,But could be dangerous and you would not even know.

Just My Opinion while thinking what could happen. I don't know any facts about this crustacean ---Good luck



Paul

 

[sgwill122]

I think it is a great idea if your fish will eat them. I would not worry about introducing a deadly new strain of bacteria from the northwest, a lot of folks buy clams, mussels or other seafood from their local groceries with no ill effect. I personally feed local mussels, clams and shrimp.