Gulf Coast Ecosystems

Gulf Coast Ecosystems Your Source For Quality Marine Plants! We specialize in collecting and culturing a variety of macro algae native to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic.

We also offer a selection of gorgonians, sponges, corals and inverts. We are a small, owner operated company, dedicated to providing excellent customer service and quality products.

05/07/2025

Update 5/10/25
Please note that we'll be closed on 5/18 - 5/22. We will not be shipping any orders during this time. All orders placed that particular week would ship beginning on 5/26.

04/24/2025

After 21 yrs of business, I'm ready to pass the collecting business to a new owner. The sale will include everything you'll need to collect and sell marine aquarium specimens from Florida to both pet shops and retail customers. There is also great potential to grow the business beyond the scope of the original owner.

The MLD license endorsement allows you to collect and sell marine tropical fish and invertebrates from Florida waters. There is a moratorium on these licenses so it can only be purchased through an existing license holder

Includes:
Retail website and domains
Wholesale customers
MLD endorsement (2 licenses)
Extensive list of GPS dive locations throughout the state
Dive tanks, scuba gear and collecting gear.
All existing livestock and inventory.
3000 gallons of holding tanks, pumps, lights and all equipment needed to run the business.
Everything you need to ship including, boxes, bags, heat packs, cold packs, oxygen tank, packing table, scale, upright freezer
Hands on training with the owner for 3 weeks including help with installing, moving and setting up the holding systems in a new location.

I will also consider selling the MLD license separately.

Serious inquires only. Call or text for more details. 941-225-9465

12/16/2024

Shipping Update 12/15 -The last two shipping days of the year are Mon, Dec 16th and Tues, Dec 17th. All orders placed after 10am EST on Tues, Dec 17th will ship beginning on Mon, Jan 6th in the order they are received. I want to thank all of our customers for their support this year and wish everyone a safe and Happy Holidays. - Russ

11/12/2024

We collected some Atlantic species this week including caulerpa cupressoides, halimeda opuntia, calcareous stem plants, bryothamnion triquetrum , euchema spinosum, rigid coralline clusters, checkered nerites and green lace gorgonians.

We have cerith snails back in stock this week. The Gulf of Mexico is clearing up but macroalgae species will be slow to ...
10/26/2024

We have cerith snails back in stock this week. The Gulf of Mexico is clearing up but macroalgae species will be slow to grow over the next few weeks. The high pressure over Florida is producing very high winds over South Florida which hinders any collecting of Atlantic species. Although I have limited stock, your support is appreciated to keep us afloat.

10/21/2024

Due to hurricane Helene and Milton our inventory will remain very limited until things recover in the Gulf of Mexico. I haven't been able to dive any of our offshore spots in several weeks due to high winds and poor visibility. Hopefully some of the reefs where I collect faired ok, we'll see.

Going forward I will focus on collecting Atlantic species again as soon as the winds are favorable down south. I want to thank all of our customers for their business and support over the past few weeks. - Russ

10/06/2024

Update 10/5 - Due to the approach of yet another hurricane forecasted to be in our area early next week, we're only shipping on Mon, Oct 7th. All orders received after Sun, Oct 6th will ship the following week.

Unfortunately, our inventory will remain very limited until things recover in the Gulf of Mexico and I can collect again. Thanks for your patience and support.

09/08/2024

In-Stock List Update 9/8/24

Seasonal Algae Sampler
Red Algae Sampler
Calcareous Algae Sampler
Sponge Sampler
Botryocladia
Red Gracilaria
Eucheuma Spinosum
Hypnea pannosa
Coralline Algae
Caulerpa paspaloides
Caulerpa cupressioides
Penicillus dumetosus
Udotea Sp.
Halimeda opuntia
Cymopolia barbata
Mangrove Seed Pod
Spiny Gorgonian
Tan Plume Gorgonian
Tan Candelabra Gorgonian
Green Lace Gorgonian
Grooved-Bladed Gorgonian
Red Tree Sponge
Elephant Ear Sponge
Yellow Ball Sponge
Purple Photosynthetic Sponge
Checkered Nerite Snail

09/08/2024

We collected a few species this week. Caulerpa cupressoides, halimeda opuntia, shaving brush, mermaid's fan, c. barbata coralline clusters and nerite snails.

We have Caulerpa paspaloides back in stock this week.
08/26/2024

We have Caulerpa paspaloides back in stock this week.

08/05/2024

Update 8/5 - Due to potential shipping delays associated with tropical storm Debby, 2nd Day Air and Florida orders will ship on Tues 8/6. All UPS ground shipments will ship next week on 8/12.

07/16/2024

Conditions this summer are really warm. It looks like a repeat of the heat wave last year although we've had more rain to cool things off a bit. Water temperatures are between 87-89 in both the Gulf and the FL Keys.

Some macroalgae species are becoming hard to find right now so our stock will be limited until the Fall season. I really appreciate everyone's support this year during this unusually hot summer.

Shipments have been arriving in good condition despite the high temps because of the addition of multiple gel packs in every order. Keep in mind that we can always have an order held at a UPS location for pickup to reduce the heat stress during shipment.

Address

504 Sally Lee Drive
Ellenton, FL
34222

Telephone

+19412259465

Website

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Our Story

We offer a variety of macro algae, sponge, coral, gorgonians and invertebrates for both the hobbyist and the scientific community. We hand collect our specimens from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean in Florida. Our holding and propagation facility features over 3000 gallons of naturally filtered systems. We are a small, owner operated company, dedicated to providing excellent customer service and quality products.