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Tank Update: Blennies, Bullies & the Seaweed Curse
It’s been a tough few weeks in the tank as half of the Sand Goby population has been wiped out (and since replaced). With the crabs gone it wasn’t difficult to narrow down the potential culprits, although in fairness the crabs never bothered with them anyway. The first three casualties…
Tank Update: ‘Ronnie’ Relapse, Flatties are Gone, Monster Blennies and a New Species for the Tank
With the nice weather I’ve tried to get out and do as much rock pooling as I can so its been a busy few weeks for the tank. First an update on ‘Ronnie’ the Blenny, who you may recall from the last update has been a bit unwell and needed…
Flatfish (Flounder, Dab, Plaice)
I’m including these in one category as I’ve only kept Flounder and Dab so far and there seems to be little point in doing separate features when there is no real difference in behaviour. I say I’ve kept Flounder and Dab, but I’m guessing really as I’m not 100% what…
Tank Update: Crab Gone, Shrimps Rescued and a Blenny in Need
It’s been a turbulent month in the rockpool tank. Rising temperatures have left the flatfish looking thoroughly unimpressed, the ever-growing shore crab has followed his predecessors in being escorted back to his original pool, and the brown shrimp were pulled out just in time and tucked safely into a breeding…
Essential Equipment: Push Net
Although not strictly for use in rockpools, the push net is a great weapon to have in the arsenal as it allows you to target species that can often be very difficult to find in rockpools. Larger shrimps and prawns often do not come in as far as the rock…
New Brighton, Wallasey
New Brighton is my go-to place and it’s where much of the inhabitants of the tank came from. There are half a dozen different locations around the immediate vicinity of Fort Perch Rock, and you can park right next to it free of charge. Low tide at New Brighton opens…
West Shore, Llandudno
West Shore Beach in Llandudno is a charming, quieter alternative to the busier North Shore – offering soft sand, dunes, and lovely coastal views under the Great Orme headland. The beach is sandy (with some pebbly patches), featuring extensive dunes backed by a coastal path. It’s notably more tranquil than…
Common Blenny / Shanny
The Blennies are the life and soul of the tank. They’re the most active, the most visible, the most entertaining creatures in there. I started with just the one, but now have five in there and they’ve thrived. When there was just the one, it was a little cautious for…
Common Prawn
These are the easiest creatures to get hold of as they’re everywhere and they’re so simple to catch. Drag your net into any seaweed attached to rocks and chances are it will come up full of prawns. I’ve watched it happen and the prawn extends a lot of energy freeing…
Brown Shrimp
At first glance the Brown (also known as Common) Shrimp looks similar to a Common Prawn, but they’re actually very different. They don’t have the arms with the pincers on and they’re more of a flat shape, which aids them as they lie on the sea bed, often buried in…