Seeking Gammarus....

[Randy Turner]

After taking the commercial training at Friendly Aquaponics, I am sold on the idea of organisms which consume settled solids and help with nutrient cycling and reduce filter maintenance. In Friendly's case, Gammarus do the trick and since I'm planning a Friendly-style system with minimal gravel beds, I am searching for Gammarus. Unfortunately, I am in a section of California where Gammarus are not found, so I'm hoping someone out there may have some they can ship or know where they can be purchased online. 

Any ideas???

Thanks! 

[Kobus Jooste]

I think you should also consider the ecological niche that the species in question fulfills, and ask yourself if you will not get a local (for you) species doing the same thing in your system if you just give it time.  Midges (the ones that look like mozzies and have larvae typically referrred to as "bloodworm" are extremely common around the world.  In South Africa, we do not have Gamarus but we have the Chironimidae Family, consisting of over 175 species all with mud dwelling, detritus feeding larvae.  They are all over my systems filter and raft floors and I use rain water........I'm sure if you investigate a bit you will find something local that may just turn up in your system in any case whether you wanted it or not. 

 

Alternatively get yourself a gravel bed stage and put wrigglers to good use.

[Raychel A Watkins]

I wish I could ship them from here to everyone.  We do not have to add them they just appear.  I know that is against all biological principles but I also know they just were there one day.  I do believe they are a great help in getting rid of waste just as the worms.  We need to remember we are making  an ecological system here and we need to look to nature and see what is in the natural habitat of the fish.  I know if the Gammarus are not there I better be checking the system.  I may have an anaerobic condition going on.

[TCLynx]

Call and talk to Friendlies before you order them.  I've heard that there is some question about if they really like them anymore.

 

In any case, I can't remember but I think I may have gotten mine from this place

[Vlad Jovanovic]

I'm sort of in the same boat, only I live in Serbia. Now, if I lived in the United States... I might try Carolina Biological Supplies...

http://www.carolina.com/product/fmc584.do?s_cid=ppc_gl_products

I think their deal is 50 live Gammarus specimens, 50 pond snails and 1 unit of duckweed for $48.95 :)

They have an 800 number, maybe you could see if they'll forgo the snails for some more amphipods?

Good luck!