Wild Copepods

[whalewhalewhale]

For those living on the California coast, have you ever caught any wild Tigriopus Californicus to feed to your tank? I was exploring the tide pools between Malibu and Ventura and saw pools with hundreds of thousands of orange pods. It’s pretty tempting right now to try going back to see if I can catch some using a turkey baster and a sieve.

I am however concerned about potentially introducing parasites or any unknown hitchhikers into the tank. I know the west coast is a coldwater environment, but that doesn’t mean it’s free of risks.

 

[boacvh]

My understanding is the tide pools near me in OC, it is illegal to take anything (even pick up). Make sure not designated as Marine Protected Areas

 

[Yates273]

Here on the Jersey shore I just go to beach and grab clumps of sea lettuce from jetty and get thousands of pods not to mention some smaller crabs also for my sump. Here’s a few pics of last haul from last year.
Nothing beats free pods

 

[whalewhalewhale]

My understanding is the tide pools near me in OC, it is illegal to take anything (even pick up). Make sure not designated as Marine Protected Areas

Apparently students from nearby universities regularly come by to grab samples for homework. I don’t see how this is any different.

https://undergrad.research.ucsb.edu/2019/09/were-cuckoo-for-copepods/

 

[boacvh]

Apparently students from nearby universities regularly come by to grab samples for homework. I don’t see how this is any different.

https://undergrad.research.ucsb.edu/2019/09/were-cuckoo-for-copepods/

If not a marine protected area, I say go for it. Free pods. Was just bringing up to make sure you don't step on a landmine. Some people were arrested 2020 for taking livestock from tidepools in San Pedro and I've seen people detained at crystal cove as well.

 

[vetteguy53081]

For those living on the California coast, have you ever caught any wild Tigriopus Californicus to feed to your tank? I was exploring the tide pools between Malibu and Ventura and saw pools with hundreds of thousands of orange pods. It’s pretty tempting right now to try going back to see if I can catch some using a turkey baster and a sieve.

I am however concerned about potentially introducing parasites or any unknown hitchhikers into the tank. I know the west coast is a coldwater environment, but that doesn’t mean it’s free of risks.

Grab 'em. Price is right !

 

[whalewhalewhale]

If not a marine protected area, I say go for it. Free pods. Was just bringing up to make sure you don't step on a landmine. Some people were arrested 2020 for taking livestock from tidepools in San Pedro and I've seen people detained at crystal cove as well.

Found a useful guide here: https://www.mpacollaborative.org/documents/LAFGEng.pdf

I'll just avoid the highlighted areas

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Please check with local fish and hunting game license department please please.
Sometimes a simple $30 or $40 seashell license or fish license can save your butt.
I know where I live bottom dweller fish I have no size capture limit on and hitchhikers are legal.
I can drive south 2 hrs and collect as well but I would never give away the locations. Lol.
I've met the Coldwater guys when they were doing that. Sucks it didn't work out.
D

 

[PeterEde]

Apparently students from nearby universities regularly come by to grab samples for homework. I don’t see how this is any different.

https://undergrad.research.ucsb.edu/2019/09/were-cuckoo-for-copepods/

They are just borrowed long term :)

 

[katonge]

I wonder where we would find something similar in Florida?

 

[whalewhalewhale]

I wonder where we would find something similar in Florida?

Copepods are practically everywhere in the ocean. I haven't checked Florida's tide pools, but I'm assuming just a piece of macroalgae alone will contain hundreds of various ones. The tough part is identifying which one is safe for your fish (parasitic copepods exist).

 

[Karen00]

I always find it interesting that people do this. The water near shore is far from pristine in a lot of areas. Aren't people concerned about toxins, pathogens, pollution, etc these food types might have ingested or stuck to them. I would be so afraid of poisoning my inhabitants or introducing something like a chemical into the tank. Is stuff like this not a problem? I would never take anything from Lake Ontario to feed my tanks. I've seen the shore line waters... Yuck. I don't even know how people swim in it. :-)