Local estuarine and nearshore fish (SE US)?

J

jtsnake

Registered Member
Apr 22, 2006
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I've set up and cycled a 55 gal tank with an emperor 400. I would like to keep local southeastern US fish as i'm a marine scientist and I find them most interesting (although not as colorful). I guess the question is, has anyone else tried to keep fish from this region? I'd like to know what has fared well and what has not. I have access to some pretty cool stuff from work and most of them seem fairly hardy. Just looking for any advice.
Thanks,
Matt
 
What all do you have access to? You're familiar with the adult sizes of the fish, so it will be a matter of determining what will survive in a 55, and in what combination.
 
Right now I have a juvenile black sea bass (C. striata) that I've had for about 8 months. She moved over from a smaller tank. Of course, she's very aggressive towards anything. I also have several local hermits, mummichog killies (F. heteroclitus) and a rock sea bass (C. philadelphica). I have easy access to the ocean (Charleston), so anything that doesn't work out can be immediately returned. I was thinking about a few juvenile spadefish, any of the smaller flatfish, pigfish, oyster toads, etc (and lots of local shrimp for my big girl to eat). Basically, I come across a lot of different species and I wanted to try a little mix and match. Right now Its aquascaped with some local rock I've collected. Just wondering if anyone had any specific species they really liked (maybe some that were very active swimmers). Also, I'm wondering if a protein skimmer will be necessary. So far, regular water changes have kept the nitrates under control. Cool websites, by the way.
 
I live in NC and spend a lot of time on the water. Like you said, there aren't as many colors, but there is a wide variety of SE fish. A few options: various Blenny spp., Filefish (planehead?), Sea Robin, local eel (American Eels are sold live in bait stores here). I catch juvenile Lookdowns and Pompanos often, but they get huge and I'm unsure of the regulations about taking them. My buddy caught a mantis shrimp the other day, but let it go not knowing what it was or that I wanted it.

i would say that the sea bass will be limiting, as it will eventually eat anything smaller than itself (and not by much!). I like the idea of a local species tank, and actually have a local Blenny in a QT tank (will release soon).
 
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