Hard to get?!?

[Ash and Mike]

Mike and I were websurfing and came across a site that sells livestock (As well as other sw-tank supplies)....

Anyhows, they have this section called "collectors corner" where they have species that are only available for purchase at certain times of the year. We were wanting to look into purchasing a Horseshoe crab, Red-footed Conch, and a mated pair of Banded Coral Shrimp (which wasn't in the collector's corner, but figured we'd ask for input anyhow). We also were interested in the Pom-pom anemone Crab, and Mike especially was looking to get a bright-colored Angelfish.

I guess what we really wanted to know is... are these species really that hard to get during other times of the year, and do you think that all of those would be a good purchase? We have read up on all of these criters and most of them are of peaceful temperament and are of reef-safe status. Some of them are labeled as semi-aggressive though.

Thanks!

Ash and Mike

[wildreef]

Well got back form LFS sotre and i'd noticed some little horse shoe crabs there
( not my cup of tea but seen'em ya know )

You guys living in alaska might have to just have stuff over nighted to that LFS store
or put in a order with that guy down there im sure he can get hold of most any thing you desire. ( i would think )

Any one else know another member in 3reef ? thats from alaska ? or that far north ?

[Bogie]

Most angelfish won't be reef safe unless pygmy angles (flame angel, coral beauty, etc..).
Horseshoe crabs get big and don't know why you'd want one???
I might be wrong, but I think even a mated pair of shrimp still need special breeding tank, otherwise shrimp eggs/small shrimp could be a nice meal for other tankmates.

[R34dawn]

Horseshoe crab, is some what nice but it could get hurt or missing depending on other tank mates, not an uncommon specimen
Red-footed Conch, really can't tell a whole lot about it, and might be uncommon
mated pair of Banded, not uncommon but if you are planning on corals, it might developed a taste for them
the colorful angel!?! most angels are quite colorful, and also feed up on corals

[antonym518]

My red footed conch was just eating last night for his shell. Never get an electric blue leg. Those conchs aren't rare. I read that horse shoe crabs aren't great to have, low success rate, and the coral banded would be cool. Maybe too aggressive with a pair. I have two white anemone crabs and a purple one. Can't ever seen two of them though they like the back of my tank.

[Ash and Mike]

Thanks for the responses guys!

Originally Posted by Bogie

Most angelfish won't be reef safe unless pygmy angles (flame angel, coral beauty, etc..).
Horseshoe crabs get big and don't know why you'd want one???
I might be wrong, but I think even a mated pair of shrimp still need special breeding tank, otherwise shrimp eggs/small shrimp could be a nice meal for other tankmates.

We weren't really looking to actually hatch the shrimp's eggs, we just wanted to make sure they would be okay in the same tank together. (As to not have tankmates fight.)

I (Ash here) have always been a fan of horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, actually most crabs of any kind...I also like leaf-fish and stonefish and the like... I used to have a separate tank back home just for the leaf-fish I had... He was a monster and would eat things I was surprised to see him even think about eating! I was sad, when I moved away I had to leave him there (good thing my dad has always loved salt-water tanks and was more than happy to take the tanks off my hands). I am more of an invert person.

Mike likes bright, colorful, and active fish. He was saying something about seeing a Dwarf Angelfish on that one livestock site. We were both looking at the post on here about the good Beginner fish. And I think he was trying to look for fish on that list that were colorful to add to our tank eventually.

[ReefSparky]

The LFS's that I frequent almost always have a tank full of horseshoe crabs. They are very common and sell for $2.99 ea.

The others I'm not sure about. I know that skunk cleaner shrimp often become a mated pair if bought in twos. They'll even change sex to accomodate the coupling.

The other items you mention I don't really have knowledge of.

[Bogie]

Ok, cool. Researching your fish is the right way to go. Good luck and have fun guys.

[ReefSparky]

Originally Posted by Ash and Mike

Mike likes bright, colorful, and active fish. . . . And I think he was trying to look for fish on that list that were colorful to add to our tank eventually.

Don't we all! I've always called the fish I've wanted "swimmers." That means they don't hang in a corner. They're always moving around.

The wrasses are a class of fish that fit that bill nicely. Damsels are swimmers too, but I'm not crazy about their disposition. Tangs are nice swimmers. Those fish are pretty colorful as a group too.

It's an exciting pastime.

[baugherb]

Good luck with whatever livestock may find its way into your tank...