Jelly fish - a terrible idea for a n00bie?

Hi guys!

So I've been mulling over the idea to try and keep some jellyfish, but this will be my first independent fish-keeping-attempt. I'm pretty new to this whole thing, so I was just wondering if you guys had any tips or thoughts? I really don't want to just jump into the deep end and end up accidentally killing anything. It will also be quite an expensive endeavor, so I don't want to buy all of the equipment and the jelly's just to end up being too inexperienced to try and keep them.

My past experience mostly involves sort of... fish-sitting for my boyfriend. He had a tank that he would often tell me about and I learned a fair amount from him, but I know it's totally different keeping fish myself. So, feel free to tell me that this is the worst idea and that I should start with something doesn't get confused by corners!

Thanks already

 

As far as i know,Jellyfish are marine....things (don't know what category they fit in)

If it's marine then i would try MASA though i have never seen anyone trying to keep a Jellyfish.(Might be illegal)
Marine Aquariums South Africa

Marine setups are extremely expensive to keep,i would start out with a freshwater tank if i was you with some hardy fish.

Make sure to learn the nitrogen cycle first if you are going the freshwater route (or the marine route).It makes the difference between having health fish and a fish that's going to die the next day.

 

Hi there

It's not so much about them being marine that is difficult. I did some reading a while back and it's only recently that jellyfish keeping has been catered for in the aquarium hobby. They can be quite sensitive creatures, and beyond that can be a little tricky to feed. Read this PFK article, which skims over their care.

IMO, I'd rather you got a lot more experience in marine keeping before attempting this. I'm not saying that it is impossible, but rather that you should get a better understanding of the marine setup so you can avoid disappointment.

Regards,

 

@SalmonAfrica Thank you so much for the article! I will read it most carefully.

@DCWarHound And thank you for the information

Both of you have given me a lot to think about, and I really appreciate the opinions, thank you so much! I will definitely start with a smaller marine project while I save up/find out more about keeping these wonderful creatures. I will also post any interesting things I find out regarding keeping jellies over the next little while. Maybe we can all band together and attempt try and keep them

 

Hi there

Here is something i found a while ago. If you can keep them like this i dont think they are too hard too keep. Legal i dont know.

Buy from Jellyfish Art

 

Hmm... it does seem that they're specialized. I'm sure the tank would make the trip from the US, not so sure about the jellies themselves. You'd have to enquire with the company.

From what I'm reading, the kinds of tank that they're offering are ideal for jelly keeping. However, IMO, not in all aspects. I feel the tank is a little on the small side. Beyond that, though, it seems good.

 

Here is some info. I would not recommend it at all unless you are a serious qualified professional. I keep a normal marine tank and that is challanging enough. I have had 2 tank wipeouts already and I have kept fish for over 30 years. (6 years in marine)


Can I keep Jellyfish at home ?

Yes and No, it depends on who you talk to. A few things for sure, you obviously need a source of jellyfish and you need a specific system to hold them, as well as, a regular supply of planktonic food.
The truth is that jellyfish are NOT easy to keep, and only advanced hobbyists should try it !
There are those who feel that public aquariums and academic type people are the only ones capable of maintaining jellyfish. This is true, as they have the resources and the knowledge. On the other hand, there are a few individuals who have, or are, perfecting the systems, foods, as well as, learning how to propagate or raise jellyfish in captivity. Midwater Systems has developed a custom acrylic jellyfish tank, called the Jelliquarium, and is working on holding systems used to keep these midwater collections and gelatinous organisms in suspension.
Until recently the only source for live jellyfish was to collect them yourself or public aquariums. In general, most public aquariums are prohibited from providing or selling them to anyone other than other academic institutions.
Lately though, there have been a few people who have either entered into the market, or have plans to enter that market, and offer various species of jellyfish, systems and food supplies for sale.

The jelly that is being most commonly raised is the Aurelia aurita species, or commonly called the Moon Jellyfish. The methods of raising these jellyfish are slowly becoming more perfected, although supplies are no where near marketable amounts.
Aside from the livestock supply aspect of owning a jellyfish tank, one needs to be aware of the specific requirements of that tank. Since jellyfish are physically delicate, are prone to flow with the current, are suspended by the current, and it's that current that brings them their food, their tank has to be specially designed to meet all those needs. The tank is called a Kreisel.
A Kreisels design is one in which there are uniquely designed inlets and outlets for the water, as opposed to a single inlet and outlet for water. It has to be introduced in so that it is a gentle tumbling type flow and keeps the jellyfish suspended. It has to be drawn out in a similar manner that it does not 'suck' the jellies into the filter system. The basic idea I think of is similar, in some ways, to your clothes dryer. Water ( as opposed to hot air in the dryer ) is introduced around a perforated or specially screened cylinder, and it causes that water to gently circulate its inhabitants. Likewise the water leaving the kreisel needs to exit in a manner that does not take the jellies with it.
Aside from the design of the jellyfish tank is its filtration. This type of filter is very similar to a coral reef tanks. It should involve surface skimming, mechanical and chemical filtration, as well as, a effecient biological filter. It would also be a good idea to incorporate a protein skimmer too. Overall water quality is paramount !
In addition to the tank and its filtration Moon jellyfish require cold water. Since they live in waters that range from 55 to 65 degrees you WILL need a refrigeration unit.
Ok, so now you have the jellyfish, the tank with its special design, and have incorporated the proper filter system and chiller unit....what are you going to feed the jellyfish ?
In nature, jellyfish ( Aurelia species for the sake of this article ) feed on plankton. Fortunately enriched brine shrimp, shaved mysis shrimp can be the substitute for plankton. Recently a product called Cyclopeeze has been introduced as a substitute food source. Did I also mention that the jellyfish require MULTIPLE feedings on a DAILY basis ?
One other thing to mention, lighting. Since jellyfish ( Aurelia ) dont require light, the only illumination needed for the tank is so that you can see the jellyfish. This is a good thing as it minimizes the number of times you have to place your hand into that tank with COLD water and those creatures who sting < s >.
So, are you still interested in a jellyfish tank ?
Midwater Systems has developed a custom acrylic jellyfish tank, called the Jelliquarium, and is working on holding systems used to keep these midwater collections and gelatinous organisms in suspension. Click here for information on the

http://www.aquarium-design.com/inver...yfishpets.html

 

Wow! You guys are awesome! Thank you so much for all of the information.

I have been pondering this very hard for the last week and I think I have decided to start a marine tank (and attempt to keep that going for a bit). After a while, instead of going right for a tank of jellies, rather getting some of these guys in: C. xamachana. It really looks like people have had better results keeping these jellies in a mixed marine tank. Goodness knows if I'll be able to find these guys anywhere, but I like a challenge!

I will keep you guys posted

 

have u thought of phoning one of the aquariums or zoos in south africa? im sure the currators could give u some advice @banjo

 

Become a member of MASA - http://www.marineaquariumsa.com to get all the help that you need.

 

There is a freshwater jellyfish from China (Craspedacusta sowerbyi) which is also an invasive species that can be found in Midmar Dam and apparently also in the vicinity of Cape Town. However these guys are tiny and measure 3-6 mm in diameter and feed on zooplankton, it would be cool though if one could keep a small group of these guys in a nano tank.

 

Hrmm, contacting the aquarium at the Waterfront is a really good idea! I hadn't even thought about it until now! It would be super easy to pop by there if they had some advice for me.

I feel so flakey at the moment, you guys keep suggesting all of these great jellies that I hadn't even considered and they all look so great! I can't pick one I'm gonna try and stop by Sam's Aquarium this weekend so that I can get started on my freshwater tank, and if the Aquarium can offer help, I might then look into setting up a marine tank later.

However, the freshwater guys that @Good_Times suggested look like quite a cool option, for a small tank. Do you have any idea how I would go about getting a hold of some of these guys? (If I know they're a viable option, then I can start actively prepping for them )

Again, thanks for all the advice guys!

 

Here is an idea
http://blog.makezine.com/2011/07/20/build-your-own-jellyfish-habitat/

 

O.O that is the coolest idea I've come across so far. And it doesn't look to difficult. *strokes metaphorical beard* Hmm.

Otherwise, I went to Sam's this weekend and was given some entertaining advice involving getting a hold of some of those Chinese freshwater jellies that were mentioned earlier in the thread. *conspiratorial whisper* It involved using my neighbors name instead of my real one. So, I will keep that in the back of my mind as a drastic measure, but for now I'll just start setting up a smaller tropical aquarium.

Um, if I wanted to set up a tank that was sort of like the dams around here, any advice?

 

The Latest Episode of tanked they made a moon Jelly tank. Very cool what you can do with LED lighting etc. with those fish.

http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/tanked