Question on gathering crabs from coast

[fishman]

Guys
Im going to the TX coast and last time I went we gathered a ton of crabs, but didnt bring them back and put them in my tank. I was wondering if anyone thought it wouldnt be a good idea to gather some and bring back this time? Any harm to my existing tank? Its been up and running for 5 years, with corals and fish. Just curious if anyone else has taken from the sea and put into their tank
Thanks

 

[Innovator]

Unless you are gathering shrimp such as pistol, ghost, and/or peppermints I would leave the rest unless of course you happen upon pipefish, sargassum anglers (sp. specific housing), seahorses, or a puffer. The only crab I would trust are the porcelain crabs.

 

[austinsdad]

What's in your tank now? Not all crabs are good crabs.

 

[fishman]

I have blue legged and red legged ones. The ones I found at the coast are all very small..like on the beach. Its a 100 gallon tank so I was thinking 10-15 small crabs wont be that big of a deal. I was more concerned about possible diseases they could bring in - not the crabs themselves..

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

I was more concerned about possible diseases they could bring in -

That's what I'd be worried about too.

 

[Innovator]

Invertebrates won't bring in diseases succeptible to fish (for the most part); however, if you mix your water with gulf water there is always a possibility. Most of the hermits, blue and redlegged, I believe get large and are carnivorous for the most part.

 

[fishman]

I have a very large crab in my tank and he never offers to try and eat any of my fish. Of course I have a regal, yellow, and salfin, damsel, clown, wrasse and a goby..so most of them are good sized. So is the vote to NOT gather the crabs? Im thinking if I order crabs from a fish store, they come from some sea??

 

[cmor1701d]

Small crabs can grow and become BIG crabs. Unless you know exactly what you are bringing in, and what its needs are I would leave it in the ocean.