Blue Crabs

I live near the Chesapeake Bay where the blue crab is native and an
important part of the culture. I was wondering if it might be possible to
keep one of these wonderful (and delicious!) creatures in an aquarium. If
so, what sort of setup would be involved, and since the Chesapeake is an
estuary, what type of water conditions would be necessary?

Thanks,
John

"John B." wrote in message
...
|I live near the Chesapeake Bay where the blue crab is native and an
| important part of the culture. I was wondering if it might be
possible to
| keep one of these wonderful (and delicious!) creatures in an
aquarium. If
| so, what sort of setup would be involved, and since the Chesapeake
is an
| estuary, what type of water conditions would be necessary?
|


Research. Get several samples around the area you plan to get the
crab over a couple weeks, monitoring such things as salinity, alk,
etc. Temperature will be low, as you're aware, so you're going to
need to invest in one heck of a chiller. That alone could set you
back 700 dollars, as you're going to need to do some serious
chilling. g
Myself, I would fill the tank with NSW from the bay itself, and
do water changes with baywater as well, but install a UV filter to
guard against random nasties.

All this in mind, the Bay Estuary is heavily protected, with many
groups lobbying for even more protection. Be vary careful to check
all local laws about removal of water, rock, and critters, as you
don't want to find yourself behind bars, and not sand bars, either.

Here in Maryland, there are crab houses that sell steamed crabs year round.
You can also purchase the crusteceans live for steaming at home. Being lazy
and not wanting to tangle with the DNR, I figured I would just buy a dozen
and give one a reprieve! :-)

John

"Billy" wrote in message
...

"John B." wrote in message
...
|I live near the Chesapeake Bay where the blue crab is native and an
| important part of the culture. I was wondering if it might be
possible to
| keep one of these wonderful (and delicious!) creatures in an
aquarium. If
| so, what sort of setup would be involved, and since the Chesapeake
is an
| estuary, what type of water conditions would be necessary?
|


Research. Get several samples around the area you plan to get the
crab over a couple weeks, monitoring such things as salinity, alk,
etc. Temperature will be low, as you're aware, so you're going to
need to invest in one heck of a chiller. That alone could set you
back 700 dollars, as you're going to need to do some serious
chilling. g
Myself, I would fill the tank with NSW from the bay itself, and
do water changes with baywater as well, but install a UV filter to
guard against random nasties.

All this in mind, the Bay Estuary is heavily protected, with many
groups lobbying for even more protection. Be vary careful to check
all local laws about removal of water, rock, and critters, as you
don't want to find yourself behind bars, and not sand bars, either.

"John B." wrote in message
...
| Here in Maryland, there are crab houses that sell steamed crabs
year round.
| You can also purchase the crusteceans live for steaming at home.
Being lazy
| and not wanting to tangle with the DNR, I figured I would just buy
a dozen
| and give one a reprieve! :-)


Great idea! Good luck, and post progress!!!

Blue Crabs range from Main to Florida and tolerate a wide range of
salinities. I live near the mouth of the Chesapeake bay where the water is
almost sea water and have a house on the Potomac River where it about 50/50
and both places have plenty of crabs. Remember they are very aggressive
against other fish and corals. Also remember its OK to catch them and steam
them but keeping them as pets is illegal. Just like a squirrel or deer.
There was one guy in VA Beach who would go out and scuba dive in the
Atlantic and capture tropical fish which get swept up in the gulfstream and
destined to die if they don't make it back south before winter. You could
order online an he would get it for you. The Government shut him down.


"Billy" wrote in message
...

"John B." wrote in message
...
| Here in Maryland, there are crab houses that sell steamed crabs
year round.
| You can also purchase the crusteceans live for steaming at home.
Being lazy
| and not wanting to tangle with the DNR, I figured I would just buy
a dozen
| and give one a reprieve! :-)


Great idea! Good luck, and post progress!!!