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Innovative Marine Aquariums

Sand Dollar in reef aquarium


HarryPotter

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Does anyone know if you can support a Sand Dollar in a reef aquarium? I saw hundreds at Sanibel Island, including dozens of 1" specimens.

 

Is there enough micro fauna? Would supplemental feelings of phyto and maybe sinking algae pellets work?

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Interesting question, i would assume so. With enough research anything is possible!

 

It would be pretty awesome. Right before I left Sanibel I considering bagging a small 1" one to take home on the 4 hour car ride, but changed my mind to avoid being impulsive.

 

Only worry is that they depend on buried food, which I (and all reefers) do NOT like.

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They might do ok in bare bottom, most of their reasons for burying themselves are defensive. So if there are no predators it could work...

I have a friend who has a 3 ft freshwater ray and he went bare bottom when the ray was 1 ft. But you might have to hyper-feed the tank just to get them to eat, which means more water changes... idk it would definitely be interesting to see.

 

Probably a good idea not to take the snail. I can see it now on the forum.. "My tank just crashed because i added a snail with a disease" :lol:

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My tiny reef

I actually got into saltwater aquaria because I found a sand dollar and wanted to keep it alive. Maybe in a much larger and well established tank it could work. Mine lasted about 2 months but it was a brand new tank and only 14 gallons. They are pretty interesting though, if you can keep one alive let me know...they remind me of my childhood, I really love them.

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I actually got into saltwater aquaria because I found a sand dollar and wanted to keep it alive. Maybe in a much larger and well established tank it could work. Mine lasted about 2 months but it was a brand new tank and only 14 gallons. They are pretty interesting though, if you can keep one alive let me know...they remind me of my childhood, I really love them.

They're so simple and beautiful. It was insane at Sanibel- hundreds and hundreds of these sand dollars ranging from 1" to 6" washed ashore. I tried to throw them back for a while before I gave up to nature :(

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I saw a ton in Puerto Rico as well and was wondering the same thing. It would be really interesting to know if someone has kept them successfully long term :)

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I'd imagine them to be relatively easy as long as you offer sandy substrate with plenty of food. They are mostly scavenging, but will gladly go predatory on small benthic animals.

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Btw, they are illegal to collect live, along with snails in Lee County, which is where Sanibel is located.

Didn't know that, thanks for the heads up. A bunch of people collect live ones and lay them out to dry, which sucks. Same with urchins :(

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fishfreak0114

Didn't know that, thanks for the heads up. A bunch of people collect live ones and lay them out to dry, which sucks. Same with urchins :(

That's so mean :(

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I never heard of them till now. Very interesting indeed, I'm always thinking of odd inverts / fish to add... Let some one else with more experience in the hobby try first ;)

Naa... Those with expierience won't want to risk it- that's BORING! Lol

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Harry are do you live in Fl or were you just visiting? I've thought about this a couple times, these are easily attainable at Fort desoto(couple hours north of Sanibel). Might just try it anyways.

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Harry are do you live in Fl or were you just visiting? I've thought about this a couple times, these are easily attainable at Fort desoto(couple hours north of Sanibel). Might just try it anyways.

I live in South Miami, I was just visiting Sanibel. Lucky guy!

if you got sand and a sparse cuc, go for it!

Next summer! Sadly I won't be in Sanibel again until then

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I live in South Miami, I was just visiting Sanibel. Lucky guy!

You live like an hour from the keys, I'd say you're quite a bit luckier than I am, although I'm not jealous of the Miami part :)

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