Aussie Zoea - raising attempt 2016

[aussieJJDude]

OOPS didn't know they were illegal. I just picked it up on the beach one day and stuck it in the salt pool. It has sent out roots and continues to not rot in the water so I've left it there. Crabs use it to get out of the water... No leaves or other stuff at the top end yet though.

Oh well, they are considered nature's protein skimmers (many SW people have them in there setups). So it would help keep the water as fresh as possible IMO. I heard that it can take years for it to develop leaves, so if it does. Yay From the info I can gather, they illegal to grab in SA, NSW and Queensland; and most (if all) states require a permit. But i don't think anyone is going to come and break down your door; but it's worth mentioning.
(I would however, love to see some pics. Your setup sounds fascinating! I'm sure a lot of members on here would love to see how the tat looks)

As for the flyscreen and aluminium wire, I would be worried about aluminium oxide that would form. Not to mention; aluminium and most other metals had little known effect on the crabbies. (I know that JMT posted a guide about metals, but in their SW pools I feel its a different ballpark.) Water can easily contaminate quickly, especially when there's a high bioload in a small water volume - not to mention, no filter. Adding potential dangerous chemicals/elements might just throw your precarious system right over the edge. Maybe a better option would be do do something similar to this?

Edit: maybe these could be some inspiration to you: clicky || Some worthy info and pics || A Picture that might inspire
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I'm sure there's loads of ideas. Betta barracks or tadpole breeding rack/setup will get you into more places then I listed. A few ideas I have running around my head is:
- to use PVC pipes as little cups for each megapola (either the bottom is flyscreen or PVC cap) and they could be drilled so a small pump pushes the water into each cup (via a pipe.. like airline tubing) promoting oxygen levels, fresh water and a way to ensure a stable water chemistry/temp. And then each one could be drilled on the side(s) so the water trickles out. Depending on the strength of the filter output (to each cup) a small mesh (like flyscreen) could be used to contain the larvae to their cups. (similar to the first link)

- yogurt or other smallest containers (resting in a large "vat" that houses the heater and a small filter). On the plus side, the large vat could just hold freshwater (saves you from using a load of salt) and each container would be heated. The filter just ensures that there's no hot spots. However water changes would have to be complete (100% waterchange) in each cup probably daily to reduce waste. However a small pipette or turkey baster would be enough to get rid of all the water and then add in the new one.
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(I shall stop now. I sure I stopped making sense a long time ago! )

[Renroc]

Hi there Aussie JJ,
My tat hasn't changed much since the photos you would have seen on The Australian Hermit Crab facebook pages. Will take some photos of it tomorrow.

The flyscreen was just a wild thought I too was unsure about the wire. I think I will just buy some more jars and airstones and keep going with the set up I've got. Seems that it is working as there don't look to be any dead ones yet.

Gotta go as I have an early start in the morning for a scuba dive.

[Renroc]

Yaay some time between midnight wed 13th and 0630 on Thur 14th the zoea began to shed their skins. This means they are now Stage 2 or is that megalopa? What ever it is at least it means they are developing so conditions continue to be good for them in my makeshift set up.

[aussieJJDude]

Ohh, thats great news.
When they shed their exo's they go from stage I >>> stage II >>> megalopa. (So I believe you're at stage II)

They seem to be doing well, lets hope they continue on like this.

[Renroc]

The zoea survived another day and I have just done a water change for jar 1 (the original tat pool water mixed with fresh... I tipped this into a glass bowl and used an eye dropper to get out all the swimmers. This took about 2 hours. They were put into totally fresh ocean water collected today. But it is a little murky now due to the numerous 5ml of old water that went in with zoea. There were quite a few brown looking skins on the bottom. Not many that looked like non swimmers that had died... BUT it is hard to tell.

Jar 2 had 300ml taken out and replaced. There are less in that jar and it was cleaner to start with as this lot got eyedroped out in the first place.

All seems to be on track. I think still a mix of 1/2 but it is hard to tell.

[Renroc]

Well the numbers are dropping drastically. Not many dead bodies or skins so maybe they are eating already OR the debris is being broken up by the bubbles.

I tried a bio filter in one jar. It filters out stuff and aerates the air and keeps the circulation happening. BUT even though the foam is so soft and fine that nothing can get sucked in many of the zoea actually got sucked onto the foam and I suspect they didn't survive.
Cross that off the list of things to do next time.

[landlubber]

No one said raising Zoea was easy. I think you are doing a great job, I would just feel clueless and overwhelmed. Thanks for continuing to document here.

[Renroc]

https://vimeo.com/151960225 day 6 and one lot are still going strong. Slow motion video clip. The other jar have not fared so well. I added a bio filter to that one. Many got sucked into the very fine soft foam. I gently removed them and the filter. Most if not all are now sinking straight to the bottom when I take the airstone out. I suspect they are dead.


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[aussieJJDude]

Do you have shells for them?! They really look like they turning into megalopa. But I sorry to hear that the other jar isn't doing well, but maybe try to keep the *bad* jar colony "going". Some of the offspring might just be lazy or something and use to the airstone doing all the work.

[naalide]

In the last video all are megalopas!
They need shells right now to hide. Otherwise they will eat each other, until there is only one left.

[Renroc]

https://vimeo.com/151992919 absolutely interested in shells. 7 transferred to another jar to try and reduce competition


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[Renroc]

In the last video all are megalopas!
They need shells right now to hide. Otherwise they will eat each other, until there is only one left.

Hi Naalide, thanks for that yep I realised a bit late they were ready for shells. BUT they got them tonight and showed interest for sure. Hopefully some will go in and they will survive. This is such a nerve wracking event.... Always need to be rushing to get stuff as I am always a day behind I think.. But considering I wasn't even going to attempt it and everything is make shift I am really happy with how things have gone. Even if none make it I will have learnt heaps for next time. OMG did I really just say that? hehehehe AM I mad enough to give this another go if I get the chance? Yep I think I just about am.

[Crabinski]

I've been following this thread and have been amazed at the progress but the shell-seeking post made my jaw drop! You've done a stellar job at giving these itty-bittys a real chance .

[naalide]

https://vimeo.com/151992919 absolutely interested in shells. 7 transferred to another jar to try and reduce competition

Sounds wonderful! And they look very interested!

Even if none make it I will have learnt heaps for next time. OMG did I really just say that? hehehehe AM I mad enough to give this another go if I get the chance? Yep I think I just about am.

Hey, yours only need about a week to this stage! Mine and Curlz' needed between 25 an 60 days to have shells. And within this time we had to feed them with fresh artemia twice or thrice a day. So, who is mad enough to try it again and again ,....?
But you are right, every time someone even tries to breed, we all can learn from it.

[Renroc]

https://vimeo.com/152041676 smaller shells from bird shell grit. There were a few swimming up to inspect those shells instantly.


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