Sand Fleas in an aquarium

[PLNelson]

Has anyone put "Sand Fleas" in there aquarium? They are small burrowing crabs from Florida, people use them to fish with. I was just curious

Phil

[scapes]

never heard of them, sorry

[Mr. Guitar]

You can keep them in an aquarium but I'm sure they'd eat something. I don't know anyone who owns one so who knows what they'll do in an aquarium. They could eat stuff you want or they won't bother anything...not sure.

[Mr. Guitar]

You can keep them in an aquarium but I'm sure they'd eat something. They are really cool to watch, though. I don't know anyone who owns one so who knows what they'll do in an aquarium. They could eat stuff you want or they won't bother anything...not sure.

[Mr. Guitar]

Ooops posted twice...Sorry

[fraggin]

i think they are filter feeders

[Msby12]

they're called mole crabs, and we've got them here in CA, they inhabit most beaches, the ones i get can be around 2 inches

i've kept them in a 24 gallon nano cube with no problems (except for the mantis shrimp! :D) the current of the nano cube allows them to filter feed, and the tank was cycled so i think they had plankton and things floating around to snack on, but adding maybe marine snow occasionally or some brine shrimp might not be a bad idea!

my blue lobster and peacock mantis shrimp love them! the lobster molted twice in one month due to his diet! but be careful if you live in a polluted area, then these little guys may have diseases in them!

PS: If you live in CA don't bother trying to get the big ones until the summer/spring time, otherwise they're smaller than 1 cm during the winter, probably same in Florida, trust me, i've been doing this since i was 5 yrs old! :)

[Mr. Guitar]

I didn't know they were filter feeders. Cool!!! hahaha.

[PLNelson]

I used them as bait once in florida when my family was visiting my auant & Uncle. They were about an inch long. Thanks for the replies.

[Msby12]

yup they're awesome fishing bait!

are you gonna try them in your tank?

[Msby12]

oops, almost forgot! apparently in hawaii they eat portuguese man o war tentacles or other carcasses that wash up on the beach also! but i've never seen it, only what i read!

[PLNelson]

I'm thinking that if I can get some up here to MN when I get my aquarium established, I'm going to do that. They're kinda cute looking, and a bit differant.

Thanks everyone

[650-IS350]

I love using sand crabs for bait with catching stripped bass.... hmm......

[xxpipedreamxx]

look these up:
Emerita analoga
Emerita benedicti
Emerita brasiliensis
Emerita portoricensis
Emerita talpoida