black_sun
06-09-2009, 11:26 AM
Greetings all,
I've recently acquired a new friend, a Cardisoma armatum. He's a very wonderful little crab, but I'm having trouble finding a lot of consistent/reliable information on the species outside of observations of them in the wild. So far, I've set up a basic tank as per my LFS suggestions and he's doing quite well. But I thought I'd start a thread for anyone who is or decides to keep this species so we can share personal information, information findings, etc.
Anyway, what I have so far:
Scientific name: Cardisoma armatum
Common name(s): Rainbow crab, Indigo crab, Land crab, Patriot crab, Tricolor crab, Soapdish Crab
Origin(s): West Africa. Primarily found in the lower Volta river system and the coastal areas of West Africa. Several sites and LFS will state that they are from Brazil, as well.
Size: Adults can reach up to about 15-20cm/6-8" across the carapace and with proper care, these sizes are seen in captive aquaria.
Personality: Most sites will list this species as an extremely aggressive species. From observations of my own crab, and from those of my LFS and the ones they keep and breed. This species is only aggressive when housed or shipped in poor conditions, large adults (mainly males) are housed together causing territorial issues or when reaching very old age (hey, we all get cranky when we get old and achy). This species can be handled, but with care and will eventually become rather used to its owners (even readily accepting hand offered foods and taking to handling well).
Tank Set-Up: This species is a land crab, so the tank should reflect this. In nature, this species will burrow in mud and sand flats, so it should be given plenty of hiding spots to simulate a burrow. This species will need access to water, and responds well to both brackish and freshwater. This species will not tolerate a regular tank, and will try to escape from it in search of land. Kept in such a tank, it will ultimately perish whereas under proper conditions this is a very long lived animal.
For a single crab, a 20gal should be a minimum, though a larger set-up is preferred as the individual grows. For multiple crabs, a M/F or F/F pair can be housed in a 40gal but a M/M pair would need considerably larger to avoid territorial fights that readily result in death.
Sexing: Males display the normal colors that this crab is usually bought for (purples, oranges, reds), whereas the females are very dull in coloration (it should be noted, both male and female will dull in coloration as they age). Aside from coloration, the normal differences in the underside flap is applicable to this crab species, as it is others (wider - female, narrow/pointy - male).
Diet: Readily accepts prepared and live foods. Pellets, fruits, vegetables, meats, worms, fish and so forth are all accepted by this crab. Because of this, though, housing this species with tankmates may become an issue as it is capable of overtaking fish, smaller crabs, etc and eating them.
A varied diet should be provided for this species to ensure that all necessary nutrients are provided for it.
Availability/Cost: This species is usually wild-caught, so it shows up in stores seasonly. However, some people have successfully bred them (this is not usually achievable by the general hobbyist due to the requirements of the offspring) and may sell them when they're not commonly seen in the stores.
For example, if you live in NNJ there are a few stores in Essex County in which a local breeder regularly supplies this species to them.
You should see these guys sold for about $10-25, size/color/sex affects the cost.
Sources:
www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk
www.aqualandpetsplus.com
www.shrimpcrabsandcrayfish.co.uk
Ely's Fish - NNJ
Absolutely Fish - NNJ
Personal Photos (my own male, Vinny):
http://i39.tinypic.com/14taosl.jpg
Typical male coloration
http://i41.tinypic.com/2cxahrl.jpg
Vinny's home includes a crushed coral/sand/etc substrate with lots of driftwood, climbing platforms and hides.
http://i39.tinypic.com/n16k5c.jpg
Vinny's home also includes a custom built water area. This is generally where he fishes (I give him feeders, bloodworms, earthworms, etc) for supper when it's meat day. He's usually on the land section of his tank for most of the time.
http://i41.tinypic.com/2bcz6v.jpg
This species LOVES to climb. Vinny often climbs on my shirt and, if allowed, will climb as high as possible. Unfortunately, this usually means using my ears and hair as aid (claws and sharp pointy feet = OWCH). :ROFL:
I've recently acquired a new friend, a Cardisoma armatum. He's a very wonderful little crab, but I'm having trouble finding a lot of consistent/reliable information on the species outside of observations of them in the wild. So far, I've set up a basic tank as per my LFS suggestions and he's doing quite well. But I thought I'd start a thread for anyone who is or decides to keep this species so we can share personal information, information findings, etc.
Anyway, what I have so far:
Scientific name: Cardisoma armatum
Common name(s): Rainbow crab, Indigo crab, Land crab, Patriot crab, Tricolor crab, Soapdish Crab
Origin(s): West Africa. Primarily found in the lower Volta river system and the coastal areas of West Africa. Several sites and LFS will state that they are from Brazil, as well.
Size: Adults can reach up to about 15-20cm/6-8" across the carapace and with proper care, these sizes are seen in captive aquaria.
Personality: Most sites will list this species as an extremely aggressive species. From observations of my own crab, and from those of my LFS and the ones they keep and breed. This species is only aggressive when housed or shipped in poor conditions, large adults (mainly males) are housed together causing territorial issues or when reaching very old age (hey, we all get cranky when we get old and achy). This species can be handled, but with care and will eventually become rather used to its owners (even readily accepting hand offered foods and taking to handling well).
Tank Set-Up: This species is a land crab, so the tank should reflect this. In nature, this species will burrow in mud and sand flats, so it should be given plenty of hiding spots to simulate a burrow. This species will need access to water, and responds well to both brackish and freshwater. This species will not tolerate a regular tank, and will try to escape from it in search of land. Kept in such a tank, it will ultimately perish whereas under proper conditions this is a very long lived animal.
For a single crab, a 20gal should be a minimum, though a larger set-up is preferred as the individual grows. For multiple crabs, a M/F or F/F pair can be housed in a 40gal but a M/M pair would need considerably larger to avoid territorial fights that readily result in death.
Sexing: Males display the normal colors that this crab is usually bought for (purples, oranges, reds), whereas the females are very dull in coloration (it should be noted, both male and female will dull in coloration as they age). Aside from coloration, the normal differences in the underside flap is applicable to this crab species, as it is others (wider - female, narrow/pointy - male).
Diet: Readily accepts prepared and live foods. Pellets, fruits, vegetables, meats, worms, fish and so forth are all accepted by this crab. Because of this, though, housing this species with tankmates may become an issue as it is capable of overtaking fish, smaller crabs, etc and eating them.
A varied diet should be provided for this species to ensure that all necessary nutrients are provided for it.
Availability/Cost: This species is usually wild-caught, so it shows up in stores seasonly. However, some people have successfully bred them (this is not usually achievable by the general hobbyist due to the requirements of the offspring) and may sell them when they're not commonly seen in the stores.
For example, if you live in NNJ there are a few stores in Essex County in which a local breeder regularly supplies this species to them.
You should see these guys sold for about $10-25, size/color/sex affects the cost.
Sources:
www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk
www.aqualandpetsplus.com
www.shrimpcrabsandcrayfish.co.uk
Ely's Fish - NNJ
Absolutely Fish - NNJ
Personal Photos (my own male, Vinny):
http://i39.tinypic.com/14taosl.jpg
Typical male coloration
http://i41.tinypic.com/2cxahrl.jpg
Vinny's home includes a crushed coral/sand/etc substrate with lots of driftwood, climbing platforms and hides.
http://i39.tinypic.com/n16k5c.jpg
Vinny's home also includes a custom built water area. This is generally where he fishes (I give him feeders, bloodworms, earthworms, etc) for supper when it's meat day. He's usually on the land section of his tank for most of the time.
http://i41.tinypic.com/2bcz6v.jpg
This species LOVES to climb. Vinny often climbs on my shirt and, if allowed, will climb as high as possible. Unfortunately, this usually means using my ears and hair as aid (claws and sharp pointy feet = OWCH). :ROFL: