I hope I'm on the right forum-Crab help needed!

[witchiepoohs]

Hi all, I'm a newbie to ac.

My two boys won two common goldfish at a fair. I set up a small tank for them, but one died last week. My eldest son was distraught. Three days ago my pal added three red- clawed crabs to her goldfish tank. My son fell in love!
So off I trotted with son in hand to the pet shop. I was told that the crab would live in cold freshwater, that it would eat the flakes on the bottom that my fish left behind, that it didn't need to come out of the water, basically it's is supposed to be that easy. I could not get any written info from the pet shop.
I called into my pal today and was told that all of her crabs died!:jaw-dropping:
I raced home and got on my 'muter trying to find out what I could about these little guys... while our crab was still in his water and plastic bag.

I feel I have been mis- informed big time by the pet shop.

I am confused about some of the info I have found out. I do know I have a male, sexing is easy. Do they need brackish water? is it a preference only- will he be happy in fresh water. I read that they don't tolerate ammonia in the water, so that means the goldfish and the crab can't live together as goldfish are high in ammonia "emmissions!"

So, he needs to be able to get out of the water some times, this all,so far,contradicts the pet shop. They said I didn't need to buy special food for him, seems that I do! :irked:

Help Folks! :1zhelp:

1. What is the best food for him over the counter? How often should he be fed?
2. I need to know exact salt to water ratio.
3.Anything I haven't thought of please add in!

At the moment "Biff" the crab is in my tallest pyrex dish with a pot lid on. I have scrubbed some stones and made a little platform for him to climb and stand on. I have added a solution of salt water, I put normal sea salt in tap water into a container, and seperated the liquid from the salt granules that did not dissolve and added that to fresh water that I had prepared hours ago at a ratio of about 1portion salt to 6 portions water. I don't know what I'm doing, all the shops were closed by the time I got home and so I improvised as best I could. I hope I don't kill him, my little boy will reeaaalllly be so upset if that happens. He's already named him. Biffs' dish sits beside the fish tank.

I know absolutely nothing about caring for this little creature and neither do the shop selling him. Is there a book that one could recommend?

Please someone tell me what to do. I plan to buy a new tank for him in the morning.

Thanks for reading, any help will be very much appreciated!

>^..^< ! G !

This post was origianlly written last night and posted on "freshwater invertebrates" forum. The update is- so far he's still alive! Yay!, He was on top of his rock waving his claws at me when I went to check him, going to buy a tank today.

[paperdragon]

I don't know that much about crabs, but here's a care sheet I've found: http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile101.html

They do need brackish water, and a land area, and are probably not good company for goldfish - sooner or later somebody is going to get eaten.

Also, you say the goldfish have a "small tank", how do you define small? They should have about 15 to 20 gallons (57 - 76 liters) for the first fish and and 10g (38L) for each additional for fancy goldfish, and nearly double that for commons/comets/shubunkins, etc.

[kyryah]

Paperdragon just about covered it.

Also, if your tank is a new set up, it needs to be properly cycled and you need to perform regular water changes during the cycling process. Please read this article on cycling. You will be doing a fish in cycle since you already have your fish.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

Goldfish are not suitable for small tanks. I am assuming that your fish are probably commons or comets, as that is what is usually given away as prizes. You are going to need a large tank for them as they are very messy fish that reach up to 8" in the first year alone, and attain very large sizes as adults. Too small of a tank will cause stunting and early death, and will be very hard to keep clean and ammonia free.

As to salt ratio for the crabs, you need a hydrometer to measure specific gravity. 1.005 should be fine for them. You should be using marine salt such as Instant Ocean or Reef Crystals, not table salt or aquarium salt.

You need to treat your tap water with a dechlorinator such as Prime. The exact salt ratio is hard to guess, but is usually around a tablespoon per gallon. You should mix the water and salt 24 hours before adding it to the tank, usuing an airstone to stir it. Use the hydrometer to measure the exact salinity.

Kristina

[kyryah]

Something else I forgot to mention, as far as books go - your best resource is right here :) It is a lot easier to get good advice from experienced hobbyists on the internet and on this forum than to try to find a book with updated information. Anyone can publish a book, whether the info is any good or not.

Kristina

[Wycco]

I'm no help regarding crabs... I've never had crabs... although one word of advice I'll give is research online- google away (and use AC) before buying any live animal.

It would be nice if petstores knew what they were talking about... and granted some do- but you're just as likely to get bad information and incorrect (possibly dangerous) information from petstores as you are correct information.



Best to know how to take care of something before you get it- rather than be told wrong stuff by a pet store.

[witchiepoohs]

Hi PaperDragon,
Thank you so much! Aw, Thanks a mil! I feel with this info I can do this successfully. Of course I'm a bit annoyed with the pet shop, though it's my own fault really, I trusted that they knew what they were talking about. This is going to be expensive, I hadn't planned to get two tanks, he was supposed to be an addition to our original tank. I can't bring him back, that would be the easiest solution but my then I have to talk my son around.

Regarding the goldfish; years ago I sported a huge fresh water tank for nine years so I do know a bit about goldies/ fancies. Three weeks ago the kids won two small common gold fish- quite unplanned for, so I went to the pet shop and bought a kid friendly 21 ltr starter tank. One fish died (the biggest one!), so we have one left. I have to say, he/she is doing much better on his own, looks healthier, water is cleaner for longer. This tank looks right, not too big for one fish, but I take in what you say, and though I have planned to get a bigger, better tank and get back into the fish thing soon. I have to prepare better. My kids are really keen on that.

I'll keep you posted...

It's great to get your reply, thanks for taking the time to help me out!

>^..^< !

[kyryah]

Please also keep in mind that goldfish are schooling fish - your little guy is not going to be happy alone for very long.

Good luck.

Kristina

[witchiepoohs]

Hi Wycco!
Yep, you speak the truth there, I hold my hands up!

What I might do is go ahead with my plan for a larger fresh water tank and then use the current tank for the crab...hhmmm! sounds like a plan!

Cheers!

>^..^< !!

[witchiepoohs]

Hi Kyryah!

Wow! this is a friendly place, this is great!

Re: the fish- Ah yes, I know what you say is true, and what has started as a little hobby for the kiddies is destined to become a family interest... along with the two dogs and two cats!

I also have another child, a 2yo girlie... I wonder what animal will take her fancy!

Re: the crab- now you see, the info you give on marine salt as a pose to aquariam salt is invaluable, Thank you! I would have possibly gone and bought the latter out of pure ignorance!

Cheers for that!

>^..^< !

[witchiepoohs]

Hi Folks,

Biff Update: ...He died. I found him this morning. I think I did everything I was supposed to, I did everything I was told, but I always felt I didn't know enough, I must have done something, or not done something but can't say what. The water was right, the tank was right, feeding was right as far as I am aware, mind you he had a rocky start. Now I have to tell my son.

I won't be getting another one.

Think I'll stick with fish in future. Actually the fish are doing great!

Thanks for everything guys,

Gina.

[coach_z]

sorry to hear about Biff.

i was going to suggest avoiding crabs all together...

[SubRosa]

If the kids like the look of crabs look into Crayfish. While many aren't suitable with Goldfish because they prey on fish the genus Cambarellus contains several small attractive species that won't bother the fish. CPO's (C. patzcuarensis Orange) and C. shuhfeldti the Pygmy Cajun Crayfish are readily available. They need no salt in the water.

[beabroca]

awwwww sorry about biff!!!! my kids just die when a fin member dies....:(

[msjinkzd]

sorry for his loss! SOunds like you had a great attitude, an open mind, and the best of intentions.