Live stock from ocean? Ok to add into aquarium?

[Andy]

I live in Dubai UAE and early am I go to the beach. I managed to find few things like star fish and anemone that were washed out with the tide. I took them home and put them in my nano tank with sand and ocean water (free and they have been in my tank for over one month. I change water every week or so (basically fill up a jug from the ocean)I found few crabs snails urchins and with a net got lucky and caught two fish. Any ideas if these creatures can mix with a reef tank? With clown fish shrimps etc? Would love to hear back thanks

 

[Frankie]

Welcome to RF Andy

Yes, you can keep stuff in your aquarium from the Persian Gulf but I would not rely on it for water. To much surface contaminates. You could have a serious algae outbreak from surface water due to the bacteria population.

I would not hesitate though to taking live stock from there. Just be sure to quarantine prior to adding to your aquarium.

Have a good day at the beach!

Frank

 

[Andy]

Thank you Frankie!

 

[Sasquatch]

you should check with the local authority about collecting, some places its a pretty serious offense

 

[akunochi]

Andy. There is a man in Dubai also who has a 100000 gallon aquarium or so his name is Naheem for what it is worth. Anyway he collects all his livestock locally as well. Perhaps you two can meet and exchange information on collection.

 

[returnofsid]

To tell you if your shrimp, crabs, fish, etc. will be compatible with a reef tank, we'll need to know the species. A lot of crabs and fish are not at all compatible with a reef tank, as they'll eat corals, clams, anemones, motile inverts...etc.

 

[Scampy]

you should check with the local authority about collecting, some places its a pretty serious offense

That was my first thought too...even if you can freely collect there, could be species that are considered threatened or endangered and protected. You should know what you are taking before taking it.

 

[Paul B]

I have local snails, anemones, worms, shrimp and thousands of amphipods in my reef and I have been adding them for 40 years with no problem. Here in NY the water is cold so a lot of the local stuff like hermit crabs will not live but where you are the water is much warmer and should be no problem.