Snorkeling, in Search of...

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew of a good spot to go snorkeling in florida where I might find nice live rock, fish, and/or misc creatures (hermits, inverts, corals...)? Now before anyone gets to scolding hear me out! I have spoken with a Florida Wildlife official and he had explained that I may take from the ocean only if I had gotten clearance on what I was taking. There are a few things I had to consider... Collected rock had to be under 3lb fragments and no more than a 15lb load. Livestock had to be common species or vermin species and a load of no more than 10 specimins. As far as introducing things from the wild into my tank... I currently have a 15g quarintine tank in which I place any fish bought or caught in for up to 30-35 days and monitor health and appetite. I'll keep 2 or 3 specimins at a time. Now... I've taken care of legal and care matters. Does anyone know of anything I might like to add to a 55g tank? Mainly looking to liven it up a bit both stationary and mobile.

 

Hey buddy. Expect people to reply without reading your entire post.... lol, yes it's ok to take certain things from the ocean.

Where in Florida are you? I live in Sarasota, and I get stuff out of the gulf for me tank weekly.

I dive a lot, and there are plenty of shallow reefs (20ft) that you could free dive if you practice. Tons of turbo snails and Very large hermits. My LFS wants TEN DOLLARS for 4 turbo snails. They're nuts. They also want 2.99 for hermits.

If you go out to the sandbars near mangroves, almost anywhere, you WILL find tons of creatures. I have found conchs, many, many hermits, tons of snails, and even starfish. Watch the tides and get out to when the water is as clean as possible. Everything I've got in my tank CUC wise, I got for free, myself. Good luck, and if you're near Sarasota, let me know, and you can come hermit hunting with me on the boat sometime!

Here are just a few of the hermits I've found:


IMG_1841 by Brett Marillier, on Flickr

 

I've heard the Jupiter inlet in palm beach has zoas and your allowed to collect something like 10 per person (dont quote me on that)

Floridas a long state it would help to know where about you are.

Anyone know where to get snails and stuff in palmbeach / broward?

 

While Florida is a long state, and the beaches certainly vary quite a bit, I think it's safe to say this: You're not going to find anything on the beach, unless you find structure. I'm not sure what the intercoastal waterway is like near you, but that's the best bet around here. If I'm diving, I go in the gulf, but just snorkeling, I stick to 2-3 ft of water, near mangroves, docks, and jetti's. Near launch pads (don't get hit by a boat ). Basically any structure, man made or natural, you're almost certain to find something!

 

On the far side of 7 mile bridge right on the pillar there are TONS of angelfish. All species.

 

Ah sorry forgot to add that bit of information and have had my PC being repaired. But, I live near tampa. I dont mind driving an hour or so to get to a spot but transfer back to my house would have to be figured out... I dont know how long things would last in a bucket or something.

But the Tampa area is where I live.