MichaelR Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Hello ARC community, I'm new to this forum and new to Austin. My family and I moved here last Summer. I'm off to college in College Station this Fall and getting rid of my indo-pacific reef, with the hopes of starting up a more simplistic native jetty habitat similar to the picture below that I found on another link. I have been incorporating my kids into this hobby when possible, to plant in them the seed of interest in aquatic habitats. I used to collect things on the Texas coast (mainly Rockport's Saltwater Pool and Port A. Jetties) when I was younger, but it has been some time since I was last down there. I would love to find a safe shallow (less than five feet deep) area where I can collect some really interesting things with my kids (one is 7yrs and the other is 6yrs). Both of my kids have learned to swim and dive under water with masks and snorkels, so we're not afraid to get wet if need be. They just can't hold their breath very long. Bellow is a list of things my kids and I would really like to get. We'll only be able to go down for a day, so if it is at all possible to get all/most of these in one place that would be amazing. Also any tips/tricks to collecting these guys would be greatly appreciated. The last time I tried to catch a spot fin butterfly was while scuba diving using a mesh back pack (which I would've been successful had it not been for all of the boat traffic's wake blasting me against the jetty). We're also open to traveling down with other people as well. Thanks for all of your help. Warty Rock Anemones (assorted colors: see picture below) Flower Rock Anemones Corals (Sea Pansies, Sea Whips, cup corals, et cetra) Sponges Porceline Crabs Sargassum Fish Tessellated Blennies Juvenile Spot Fin Butterfly Juvenile French Anglefish Damselfish (assorted brightly colored species) Assorted Macro Algae Assorted cleaner invertebrates (starfish, cucumbers, snails, hermits, et cetra) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelR Posted August 8, 2016 Author Share Posted August 8, 2016 P.S. I also have a tank that I need to get drilled. Does anyone know of a place in/near Austin where I can get a few holes drilled? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolt Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Hey there! Welcome to the club. I know there are some folks who visit the coast and collect things, so hopefully they will see this and give you some good tips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gig 'em @ NDstructible Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Cool! I always enjoyed catching critters off the jetties in Port A. at night, good times. I hope your kids can learn lots and be impassioned by the experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Welcome to the club! Your tank sounds like a great project to do with your kids. Lots of members collect things at the coast so hopefully some of them will chime in with details. You can also search the forum and dig up some of the old threads. There was even an ARC coast collection trip one year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Howdy, welcome, and Gig'em! There are quite a few previous discussion threads about collecting on the coast. Take a look at these: http://www.austinreefclub.com/topic/24201-tips-for-someone-that-has-never-been-to-port-aransas/?hl=jetty#entry176023 http://www.austinreefclub.com/topic/31875-port-aransas-thread/?hl=jetty http://www.austinreefclub.com/topic/36729-port-a-trip/?hl=aransas#entry298496 From memory you can find rock anemones, sargassum, various blennies and damsels, and even seahorses and pipefish. The most common critter people bring back are peppermint shrimp, which they say are easiest to collect on the jetties at night with a flashlight and a net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelR Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 Thank you for the welcoming remarks and links to information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gig 'em @ NDstructible Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 I use a red head lamp on the jetties. Shrimp are less scared of it/ can't see it. I also found a sleeping sea turtle in the Port A. jetties once! Always something fascinating to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelR Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 Item want night diving/snorkeling on the South Jerry once and the water was filled with sea turtles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Look out for these guys while you're collecting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelR Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 I appreciate the warning, but sharks are the least of my concerns. I've been in the water with sharks large and small. I think the most startling encounter I've had was almost plowing through a box jelly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 But what about the Kraken! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelR Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 I hear he vacations down there in the summer. But what about the Kraken! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 I hear he vacations down there in the summer. But what about the Kraken! I'll pay good money if you can bring back just one tentacle for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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