brackish isopods?

[Scythemantis]

I was at a brackish inlet today and found loads of very large isopods scurrying around. I didn't see any in the water, so I thought I'd experiment. I've got them in a tank with soil and a dish of fresh water, the same setup that I know can work for certain crabs. Anyone ever try this? Maybe I should mix them up some brackish water anyhow? They seem to be eating algae pellets.

 

[Kirk]

I was at a brackish inlet today and found loads of very large isopods scurrying around. I didn't see any in the water, so I thought I'd experiment. I've got them in a tank with soil and a dish of fresh water, the same setup that I know can work for certain crabs. Anyone ever try this? Maybe I should mix them up some brackish water anyhow? They seem to be eating algae pellets.

Are they 1-2 inches long, similar to what's pictured here? Species in the genus Ligia are common on rocks and wharf pilings, but I don't know what genera are found in estuarine habitats. Yours will probably need low salinity water to survive since they're semi-terrestrial.

 

[Galapoheros]

There is a large thread about these somewhere. I see them at the docks @ S. Padre Island, real common. They sure are fast!

 

[Kirk]

I see them at the docks @ S. Padre Island, real common. They sure are fast!

Those are Ligia exotica. Very common on pilings and rock jetties along the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast.

 

[Scythemantis]

Yep, that's them! I probably should have collected some water there, but I didn't have another container.

I'll try and find that thread!

 

[Kirk]

Yep, that's them! I probably should have collected some water there, but I didn't have another container.

I'll try and find that thread!

You could mix up some low salinity water using marine aquarium salt. But, on second thought, Ligia actually tend to avoid getting in the water. You actually might be successful keeping them by simply providing a very damp, humid enclosure. I don't know to what extent they depend on the salts in their food. Isopods brood their young, so there's no need for them to develop in water.