What sort of people supply specimens to aquariums?

November 21, 2011 5:37 PM

I want to get specimens of some sea snails for my research into textile dyeing but I have no idea how to go about it. I presume that there must be people who specialise in getting specimens of fish and other sea creatures for aquariums, but how do I find someone like that?
posted by Joe in Australia to science & nature (5 answers total)

One idea would be to contact your local(est) University's marine biology department. They probably have a supplier contact for something like that if you need it in big enough quantities.
posted by Sweetchrysanthemum at 7:07 PM on November 21, 2011

Your local natural history museum's marine invertebrate department (specifically, you want the Malacology section) might be able to give you some advice.
posted by Dilemma at 9:55 PM on November 21, 2011

Do you want to keep them alive? Because Janthina are obligate rafters at the sea surface and need their raft of bubbles. I cannot think of a more challenging marine aquarium species to keep.
posted by cromagnon at 6:30 AM on November 22, 2011

Thanks for the suggestions, if anyone has any more please keep them coming.

Cromagnon: I don't need them alive permanently; just long enough to extract their precious bodily fluids. The raft is apparently tough and springy, but the diet is a bit of a problem - they are only known to eat two species of jellyfish. So my plan is to get the snails and freeze them, and hope that doesn't ruin the pigment.
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:49 AM on November 22, 2011

Depending on how many you need, you might go to the people currently studying Janthina or other similar snails. Wildlife researchers often collaborate and know who to go to in order to get various samples and specimens. A recent article like this can give you a list to start.

Does anyone actually use these for textiles today? They'd certainly know where to get them, too.
posted by zennie at 12:00 PM on December 4, 2011