Sand fleas reef safe?

[running scott]

I know they aren't really a flea, but that's what we call them down here in Florida. I was thinking they might be a good live food for a Harlequin tusk, and a Toby blue spotted puffer fish I am thinking about adding to my tank. Anyone have any experience with them? They are easy to collect at the beach here. Fishermen use them for bait.

 

[Betta132]

Do you mean amphipods or mole crabs?
Tiny transparent shrimp things that hop around, or little weird fat things that look like runaway shrimp heads?

 

[cloak]

If you haven't already, try using the search function at the top of the page. Either type in "sand fleas" or "sea cicadas" and see what pops up. GL.

 

[FishAndAquatics]

They're 100% reef safe. I took some from my beach ( about 40) and acclimated them to my tank very slowly. They're still kickin after several years! I read on reefs2go, aquastockers, and other sites that they're reef safe as well. They don't have claws either so thats a plus. But a 4+ inch sand bed is needed to keep them alive!

 

[Shawn O]

They're supposed to be filter feeders so it may be interesting to see their little net-thingies sticking out of the sand.

Great fun catching and playing with them as a kid in SoCal.

 

[cloak]

+1

We used to catch them all the time at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It was a mystery why the bucket stunk after a ~2 hour drive back to Stockton...

 

[Shawn O]

I usually went anywhere from Ocean Side to La Jolla, caught hundreds each visit. Never brought them home so I'll have to take your word for it. :thumbsup: