Native Collecting in Cave Springs

[spitz006]

I went down to the Cave Springs Cave today, there were some really colorful crayfish and a few fish. I think I'm gonna buy a dipnet and go back sometime this week. I saw a lot of moss growing under the water and I think it'd look good in my planted tank. Would there be any problem with putting that in my tank? Could it carry parasites?

[etheonut]

It could carry lots of stuff.
The moss that grows in the local streams requires a fairly cold tank to thrive in. I have known a few people that have been successful with it, but most are not.

Kevin

[sumpnfishy]

Two things that I can almost guarantee about that moss: it has scuds, which hour fish will love to chase, and it has leeches.

[fishbit]

Be careful.I think that is one of the caves in our area that have the protected Blind Cave Fish that are on the endangered species list.You may want to contact Dr.Art Brown to be safe ,at the University Of Arkansas before collecting there.

[sumpnfishy]

Not too much risk there. It is extremely rare to find cavefish other than deep inside the caves.