Ranch 99?
- Thread starter njmar1
- Start date
Gonodactylus
Premium Member
Yes, Hemisquilla californiensis usually shows up in the spring.
njmar1
New member
Never mind, found one- hey they look neat!
http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/pics/ryann_hemisquilla.htm
http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/pics/ryann_hemisquilla.htm
Gonodactylus
Premium Member
I couple of words of warning.
First, they show up at Ranch 99 only a few times each spring, often in large numbers. I think this happens when a local trawler just happens to hit them when the males are out looking for females. Rarely are juveniles or females in the take.
Second, because they are being sold for food, they are often kept in marginal conditions in large numbers and hence, do not survive well.
Third, even when captured by hand and handled carefully, this is a difficult species to keep. They usunally develop a disease of the cuticle (seems to be different from what O. scyllarus gets) and rarely last in captivity more than a few months. Even public aquaria with running seawater have trouble keeping them.
Fourth, they are a cool water species and do best at around 15-19 C. We have the best luck at around 18. You can't keep them for any period of time at temperatures above 20 C. That means you will need a chiller.
Fifth, they don't do much and are difficult to feed. Some eat in captivity, others never do.
Sixth, while they usually are pretty docile, if one does decide to strike, the blow from a large adult is considerable and this is one species that can break a small aquarium. I would not tease them through the glass.
Roy
First, they show up at Ranch 99 only a few times each spring, often in large numbers. I think this happens when a local trawler just happens to hit them when the males are out looking for females. Rarely are juveniles or females in the take.
Second, because they are being sold for food, they are often kept in marginal conditions in large numbers and hence, do not survive well.
Third, even when captured by hand and handled carefully, this is a difficult species to keep. They usunally develop a disease of the cuticle (seems to be different from what O. scyllarus gets) and rarely last in captivity more than a few months. Even public aquaria with running seawater have trouble keeping them.
Fourth, they are a cool water species and do best at around 15-19 C. We have the best luck at around 18. You can't keep them for any period of time at temperatures above 20 C. That means you will need a chiller.
Fifth, they don't do much and are difficult to feed. Some eat in captivity, others never do.
Sixth, while they usually are pretty docile, if one does decide to strike, the blow from a large adult is considerable and this is one species that can break a small aquarium. I would not tease them through the glass.
Roy
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