catch my own hermits?

hi everyone,

well, the topic says almost everything. I live in florida, right in the tampa bay area. So I thaught, that there might be some critters I might be able to catch myself. Like snails or hermits.
I tried to find things online about that, but there wasn't anything. I'd be happy if anybody has some advise, even if it is, that I can't catch anything

thanks Yvonne

 

I had discussed this topic with my friends (the experts) at my LFS - since we live in Georgia and make frequent trips to FL - tempted to catch critters while visiting Jupiter FL. They frown upon catching "critters" from the ocean to put in a tank. For many reasons - one being that a tank might be too much "stress" for them, since most creatures that are purchased commercially are raised in captivity and are used to living in captivity (a tank). Another is it could introduce parasites are other unwanted diseases to your tank and should be quarantined. Also could be a moral issue - support the hobby by purchasing from commercial sources - reef people need to make a living like the rest of us. [smiley=yaknow.gif]

 

Welcome hoodoo!

There are laws regulating the collection of anything from the ocean in most states. Florida has some of the toughrst restrictions. Make sure you check with the proper authorities before risking an expensive and unpleasant end to an outing, eh?

 

Mr. Crabs I have a problem with that statement you made that "most creatures that are purchased commercially are raised in captivity and are used to living in captivity." As most creatures we buy are raped from the wild with no regard to sustainablity, and at no point in their life have they ever been so confined.

As for collecting hermits and sails, or whatever else in Florida you need a saltwater fishing liscense (13.50$ a year for Florida residents). The limit on hermits is one pint, which is a but load of hermits. Check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's website for more info and limits on the other critters you can collect. You would be amazed at what you can collect.

 

yeah, the "licence-part" is another thing. I thaught, that there were restrictions
I just wasn't sure, if there is anything here to catch...
I was mostly thinking about it, because I heared that I should put one hermit and one snail per gallon (and with my second tank I wanted to do it right, so that my husband can't get mad because I spend so much money
But now I read a little more here about hermits and the numbers seem more affordable ...

but I can directly ask a second question. I know, that here is a place very close by, where I can collect live rock (probably more base rock, but good enough). Do you know anything about the laws in that case?
and I heared, that florida live rock (and cruched coral) are loaded with phosphates, is that true?

Yvonne

 

I'm not sure abour Live Roch collection Yvonne, but the link here is very informative about the history of the live rock aquaculture trade there in Florida. It is entirely possible to have phosphorous rock o what we are looking for is Aragonite rock that is high in carbonates which helps your calcium which is needed for shell and coral skeletal production.

http://tampabaysaltwater.com/index.html

This outfit is right there in Tampa Bay!

 

Yvonne,
I also had some of the same questions you did. here is THE link to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision on what you can collect and not collect.
http://myfwc.com/marine/recreational/recharvestmls.htm
I have purchased wholesale items locally and let me tell you that a LOT of things come from out of the country. Lima, Peru was all over some of the boxes that I saw there. Believe me the poor people chewing up their local reefs to supply the Americans with a piece of rock for their pretty aquariums are only thinking short term. But a hungry stomach is a pretty strong short term feeling. That is why I purchased my rock this weekend from tampa bay saltwater. Florida Aquaculturist I believe is the term. They supply and replenish. BTW I took the last of their good stuff Saturday so call and make sure they went out and got some more before you visit. There is also one of our sponsors http://www.liverocks.com/ that does the same thing with walk ins by appointment. They have a place in Ozona which is about 15 minutes north of Clearwater. Conservation IS the key to our future but I do not belong to Greenpeace. Have fun collecting it can be an enjoyable time at the beach.
Jim

 

ah, thanks a lot, I'll check all three links out.
I don't mind paying for my rock, it's just, that I need so much well, you all know how that is ....

 

You can not collect live rock in any US waters. The aqucultured rock in Florida is done on land leased from the state and must be geologicly distinct from local reef rock.

A friend of mine got his rock from liverocks.com. It is good looking stuff and I belive he paid 2$ a pound for it. Plus they just got a shipment in, so they should have some premo stuff right now.

 

this is great, so many new links. I'll never have to leave my computer anymore