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View Full Version : Got crabs?



Tetratastic
03-09-2004, 2:27 AM
I'm looking for info on crabs... while picking up a snail at the LFS I saw some small crabs (I do not know name/species - not hermit) and thought they would be fun for one of my 10-gals... I have several questions, and some back story to this post so bear with me....

~~~ Wavy dream-like sequence ~~~

I got a new 20-gal for x-mas, and rather than stocking it with all new fish I'd like to divide some fish I already have in a 10-gal and then add some new critters to each tank. The ten gallon is a bit bi-polar in that I have a wierd mix of active/agressive fish with more passive peaceful fish.

The passive fish are packed and ready to move into the 20-gal (cories mainly).

I'd like to keep the more active fish in the 10-gal (my lone serpae needs new friends and I have three danios). Since the cories are movin' to new digs I'd like a bottom dweller for the 10... and seeing those little crabs made me think they might do well in an already boisterous tank.

I don't even know if 10-gal is the 'recommended' tank size for these guys. The info at the LFS said larger tankmates only as the crabs are territorial, I don't know if tetras/danios are 'larger' enough. I'm thinking I should also go with a snail rather than oto cats too - unless I hear otherwise.

Any information/experience anyone can give me on these little guys would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Tetratastic
03-09-2004, 2:44 AM
Oh, and are these little guys ok with planted tanks??

OrionGirl
03-09-2004, 8:35 AM
Very few of the crabs are fully aquatic. Most are either brackish/marine, or need to have reliable access to the surface. They also can catch fish--tearing fins, and occassionally eating one they catch sleeping. You'll hear mixed success--some people never have a problem, other's lose fish after fish to a crab. Often they escape from the tank and are found dried up and crunchy days/weeks later. Also--many aggressive fish will happily snack on crabs and shrimps.

All in all--I would not include them in a community setup. They deserve a setup of their own, with the appropriate water and egress.

elgecko
03-09-2004, 10:32 AM
Heres a page I made on Red Claw Crabs

http://www.geocities.com/elgecko1989/crab.html