+KeeperOfTheZoo Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 The kids and I hit the beach here in Florida today and had a blast finding cool stuff. We found tons of Florida fighting conchs, lots of hermits, mangrove pods, some neat snails, starfish, an amazing colored crab and the following two things. The pale pink/white colored one was kinda slick. I was about 5" or so around. Under the water its surface was like an opal, just gorgeous. Under it was a big hairy looking hermit crab! The other thing is very orange and sponge like. It was not attached to the big shell, we were holding it with it. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooks Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Creepy looking! The 2nd one is a sponge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KeeperOfTheZoo Posted April 1, 2010 Author Share Posted April 1, 2010 Here are a few othere random critters. The crab was so much prettier in person, it was purple, yellow, orange and more. So pretty! The body was about the size of my fist. Most everything was let loose at the end of the day. I'm gonna try to get the conchs and some of the snails & crabs home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KeeperOfTheZoo Posted April 1, 2010 Author Share Posted April 1, 2010 Any chance the sponge could make it home alive, or is even still alive? I couldn't get it to stay out in the water, kept washing back up on the beach so I took it home. Figured itd be a gonner anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+o0zarkawater Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Ship 'em all to me, I'll put them in the tank with my stuff from the coast Are you going to try to take them as carry-ons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaJMasta Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Could the slimy one be a tunicate? Was it inflated underwater? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KeeperOfTheZoo Posted April 1, 2010 Author Share Posted April 1, 2010 Lol! This haul is mine. We road tripped it so I'm haulin the hardier stuff in a cooler. Hope they make it. The pale pink thing was solid, no inflation. Kinda rubbery. It was so neat looking/feeling. Wish I knew what it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Dreams Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Hurry Home LiZ Geesh FreinD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+o0zarkawater Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 How long is the drive? I'm by no means an expert, but if it were me, I would find a local LFS and maybe buy a jug and some premix SW, and give the bucket you're hauling back a partial water change daily. Cost you 15$ or so to keep them in a fresh mix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KeeperOfTheZoo Posted April 1, 2010 Author Share Posted April 1, 2010 That's exactly my plan so +1. Already google mapped the LFS and will head there in the morning. It's a long drive, will be a couple days on the road. I enjoy the drive though, so much pretty country to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+o0zarkawater Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Indeed, I love driving! Good luck on getting everything back safe. On the subject of LFS, I wonder if things are cheaper in places like coastal FL, where some of the stuff is a local catch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneroller Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 perhaps bryozoans on pic 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 LIZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How are you?? Where in Florida are you as I have lived there for a while and know a few in South Beach, Miami area and Fort Lauderdale....your sump is still awaiting you and I am glad to see everything is OK....love to all the kiddos and bring them with you when you pick up !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Here are a few othere random critters. The crab was so much prettier in person, it was purple, yellow, orange and more. So pretty! The body was about the size of my fist. Most everything was let loose at the end of the day. I'm gonna try to get the conchs and some of the snails & crabs home. Now I know where my vendor gets all his stuff!!! I hope you can get that sponge back A-OK!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesL Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 I am no expert on sponges, but I thought once they have been exposed to air, it is pretty much downhill from there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KeeperOfTheZoo Posted April 1, 2010 Author Share Posted April 1, 2010 Man, I don't want to come home. It's so pretty here and the beach... oh man... why don't I live on a beach??? I'm staying in Spring Hill, we went down to Madeira Beach across Tampa Bay. I think we'll hit the beach again today. Laura, I could hook ya up with a serious number of conchs, I bet my kids would work cheap (free!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barderer Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 just use sea water in the cooler and use one of those filters made for turtle tanks and throw carbon in there. The load should be good for a few days in that mix. They key is not to be greedy. Take a few choice pieces and leave the rest. And your success rate for transport will climb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.