Brackish Natural Fish Identification From Rivers In Central Fla

[s357nl45fc762r]

I'm making a brackish aquarium with only creatures from my local brackish rivers(Brevard County Florida.. Indian River/Banana River/Mosquito Lagoon/ Sykes Creek),I have found a crayfish that can snap its claw LOUD. Almost as loud as a human clap.Does anybody know what this species is? It appears to be a crayfish of some sort, but one claw is much larger than the other and looks deformed, when disturbed it opens the large claw very wide and *SNAP!* It may be a "Pistol Shrimp". Also I am collecting tiny crabs,(live) barnacle laden rocks and, and etc for my tank, are there any rare or endangered species I need to worry about releasing? Also, My barnacles grab fish food as it flows in the powerheads' current and seem to like it. what other nutrition do they need? What about nutrition for the "pistol shrimp"? What I really need is an identification guide to small brackish water creatures in the Brevard Area. If anybody know of such a thing please send, I cant identify a few weird little crabs(I know of stone and blue crabs, but the one I found looks alittle more like a spider crab, but with pinchers. [those 2 crabs of that species also seem to be not doing as well as the stone and blue crabs that I have]) and a "suckerfish" that looks like a tadpole And a couple of other tiny (less than 1 inch) fish that were secluded in the rocks I found and put in my aquarium They both look like gobies though. The fish are both black and white "camo", similar looking, but def different species, one is much longer and slender. Any help and or corrections is very appreciated! Also, This is my first post, Greetings to everyone on this forum!




EDIT: The 2 Crabs I cannot identify are not doing as well as the stone crabs babies, they are sluggish and at times flip onto their backs and lie there for a long time. They look like Spider Crabs, but have more formidable claws.


EDIT: This is a Nano brackish Tank, 5 gallon, with natural tiny shells as the substrate, (gathered from the same place that the specimens were gathered). The only other thing in the tank except for the shells is a 7"X4" Coquina rock with living algaes/red/green-weeds on it.(gathered same place)


Today is day one, quick help is much appreciated.
(many of the specimens were living on this rock when I transfered it to my tank.)

 

[nmonks]

I have found a crayfish that can snap its claw LOUD. Almost as loud as a human clap.Does anybody know what this species is? It appears to be a crayfish of some sort, but one claw is much larger than the other and looks deformed, when disturbed it opens the large claw very wide and *SNAP!* It may be a "Pistol Shrimp".

Yes, it's a snapping/pistol shrimp, Alpheidae. There are several genera and hundreds of species, so identifying them is really impossible. Most are predatory, and while they are certainly hardy and easy to keep, they are not ideally suited to life in a community tank. On their own and mixed with things like snails and echinoderms they are fine.

Also I am collecting tiny crabs,(live) barnacle laden rocks and, and etc for my tank, are there any rare or endangered species I need to worry about releasing?

This can only be answered by your local fish and wildlife commission. As a rule, there are restrictions on taking edangered species and juveniles of commercially important species.

Also, My barnacles grab fish food as it flows in the powerheads' current and seem to like it. what other nutrition do they need?

Marine invertebrate diet (which you can buy at a marine aquarium store) squirted into the water a couple of times a week. Follow the instructions on the package.

What about nutrition for the "pistol shrimp"?

These are very opportunistic and will eat anything. Try (wet) frozen krill, bloodworms, small pieces of whitebait and mussel, etc.

What I really need is an identification guide to small brackish water creatures in the Brevard Area.

Yes, you do. Visit your local bookstore and you should find plenty of guides to local marine wildlife. Look for things like the Petersen Field Guides. Your local fish and wildlife commission will also be able to provide help and links to local natural history clubs and so on.

I cant identify a few weird little crabs(I know of stone and blue crabs, but the one I found looks alittle more like a spider crab, but with pinchers.

Probably spider crabs. As a rule, spider crabs do not do well in aquaria.

a "suckerfish" that looks like a tadpole And a couple of other tiny (less than 1 inch) fish that were secluded in the rocks I found and put in my aquarium They both look like gobies though. The fish are both black and white "camo", similar looking, but def different species, one is much longer and slender.

Impossible to identify without photos. Could be anything.

Cheers, Neale

 

[s357nl45fc762r]

I have found a crayfish that can snap its claw LOUD. Almost as loud as a human clap.Does anybody know what this species is? It appears to be a crayfish of some sort, but one claw is much larger than the other and looks deformed, when disturbed it opens the large claw very wide and *SNAP!* It may be a "Pistol Shrimp".

Yes, it's a snapping/pistol shrimp, Alpheidae. There are several genera and hundreds of species, so identifying them is really impossible. Most are predatory, and while they are certainly hardy and easy to keep, they are not ideally suited to life in a community tank. On their own and mixed with things like snails and echinoderms they are fine.

Also I am collecting tiny crabs,(live) barnacle laden rocks and, and etc for my tank, are there any rare or endangered species I need to worry about releasing?

This can only be answered by your local fish and wildlife commission. As a rule, there are restrictions on taking edangered species and juveniles of commercially important species.

Also, My barnacles grab fish food as it flows in the powerheads' current and seem to like it. what other nutrition do they need?

Marine invertebrate diet (which you can buy at a marine aquarium store) squirted into the water a couple of times a week. Follow the instructions on the package.

What about nutrition for the "pistol shrimp"?

These are very opportunistic and will eat anything. Try (wet) frozen krill, bloodworms, small pieces of whitebait and mussel, etc.

What I really need is an identification guide to small brackish water creatures in the Brevard Area.

Yes, you do. Visit your local bookstore and you should find plenty of guides to local marine wildlife. Look for things like the Petersen Field Guides. Your local fish and wildlife commission will also be able to provide help and links to local natural history clubs and so on.

I cant identify a few weird little crabs(I know of stone and blue crabs, but the one I found looks alittle more like a spider crab, but with pinchers.

Probably spider crabs. As a rule, spider crabs do not do well in aquaria.

a "suckerfish" that looks like a tadpole And a couple of other tiny (less than 1 inch) fish that were secluded in the rocks I found and put in my aquarium They both look like gobies though. The fish are both black and white "camo", similar looking, but def different species, one is much longer and slender.

Impossible to identify without photos. Could be anything.

Cheers, Neale

Thanks alot Neale. Do you think the Pistol Shrimp ( he's a big one from the ones I normally see at just under 3 inches). From what I understand, this claw creates a large concussion to kill the fish, is there any possibility it could shatter the glass if he was near enough to it?

 

[nmonks]

IME, no chance at all. I've kept all sorts of snapping shrimps and never had problems with them.

Cheers, Neale

Thanks alot Neale. Do you think the Pistol Shrimp ( he's a big one from the ones I normally see at just under 3 inches). From what I understand, this claw creates a large concussion to kill the fish, is there any possibility it could shatter the glass if he was near enough to it?

 

[rob newland]

Sounds a cool tank
Pics?
Isn't a 3" shrimp too big for a 5g? or does it not work that way with invertebrates...
Rob

 

[s357nl45fc762r]

Sounds a cool tank
Pics?
Isn't a 3" shrimp too big for a 5g? or does it not work that way with invertebrates...
Rob

It is a very petite 3 inches, but I understand your point of view, when I think of a "3 inch shrimp" I visualize something much bigger. Its body is actually pretty small, but leither way, its one of the larger one i've seen in my area. Im trying to acquire my camera back, and when I can I would be glad to post pictures for better help and advice. thanks!