Horseshoe Crabs

PhilN · Apr 12, 2015

So here's the dilemma. I have a couple of them and they are really a neat entertaining creature to keep. The problem is they've grown out of their home (125 gallon reef). I'm looking for ideas on what in the world to do with them? I've called the local zoo, tried the local reefing club, I'm running out of ideas. I would put them in the for sale or trade forum but, don't have enough posts yet to post there. I've had them over a year; one is the size of a baseball the other about the size of a 50 cent piece. They turn the sand over like no other creature in the tank. I've trained them to take shrimp off a stick. In any event if you have a shark/skate tank or a tank with minimal rock these guys are cool. Thoughts, ideas, anyone interested in them?

Small triggers · Apr 12, 2015

Do you have a large aquarium kinda near you? Monterey perhaps? (Not knowing where you are located in CA?)

PhilN · Apr 13, 2015

That aquarium is about 4 hours away but at this point would drive there or ship it to them if they were interested.

thereefkid · Apr 13, 2015

If you live on the coast, you can literally release them straight into the ocean with them doing perfectly fine as long as you acclimate them a bit. I live in Maryland and alot of my reef friends on the coast have done that. I have one in my tank right now! they can easily survive the climate change but with the size they are they would be easy pray. I would say keep them as long as you can but then if on the coast you can just release them and they will be perfectly happy :)

diver4life1992 · Apr 13, 2015

Please do not release the horseshoe crabs into the ocean in CA. They are not native to the west coast.

Shep · Apr 13, 2015

PhilN said:
That aquarium is about 4 hours away but at this point would drive there or ship it to them if they were interested.

I can tell you right now that aquariums or zoos will not take them. Also I do not think they are naturally found on the west coast. So A) do not relese them there because thats how invasive species get introduced and B) do not do it because its aganist the law and can carry a hefty fine or even jail time.