Collecting amphipods

[Paul B]

Yesterday I went to my favorite tide pool with my boat and did some collecting. (as I always do) It is the beginning of amphipod season and I collected thousands or maybe millions of them. Right now they are in an open net in my tank so they can swim, (or crawl) out at their leisure.
I add them like that because they are mixed in with all sorts of seaweeds, sticks and rotting vegetation that would float around in my tank but I do want the bacteria that covers this stuff. For a few minutes my tank was literally covered in swimming amphipods. I would assume there was also millions of copepods also but I can't see those to well. I am going back again today for more collecting.

This video of amphipods is from last year but they look the same so just make believe I took this yesterday

 

[Aquadicted]

nice! where is this??

 

[Paul B]

It's a place called Leeds Pond in Port Washington.
I just came back again with 9,784 more amphipods. Collecting them is easy, counting them is a pain.

 

[Oscarcolino]

Nice

 

[FlexLuthor]

question, how did you know when amphipod season started?

 

[Paul B]

I have been going there collecting pods for probably 30 years. After a while, you just know when the time is right.

 

[ReefDiver]

Any tips for identifying where pods might be hanging out? will any tidal pool with seaweed do? and do you worry about anything nasty in the water being introduced into your system?

 

[REEFSTA]

thats dope

 

[Paul B]

Reef Diver, Westchester has great amphipod hunting areas. Just find a boat launching ramp or anyplace that has a muddy beach. Go at dead low tide and start lifting rocks near the water. If you find pieces of wood, you will find amphipods. As for introducing any baddies, my tank was started with this water decades ago and I have added this stuff every few weeks in the summer all that time. No Godzilla Larvae yet.


Today I went down to my boat to do some important stuff (relax).
I noticed plenty of grass shrimp around the boat and I collected a bunch. After looking at the expression on their faces I could tell that they would rather stay in the marina than my tank so I said good bye and set them free. They are happy.
So I had a beer, and read the newspaper before going in the cabin, turning on the air conditioner and pondered the universe (took a nap).
Tomorrow, if it doesn't rain I will take my Grand Kids to my favorite tide pool to do a little collecting.

 

[FlexLuthor]

sounds like ur living the life there paul