"Freshwater" Crabs

[Siren]

Can anyone give me first hand experience with Red Fiddler crabs...i.e. the so-called "fw" crabs? I saw them at the LFS and really leaning towards getting a few. I have an empty 5 gallon hex to work with. I've read a few FAQ's on them, but they seem to contradict themselves, never giving any of the same data. So I want some personal experience advice from you guys.

I do know that the LFS has them currently in fresh water with a land area available. And they seem to be doing okay in a 15 gallon tank...with about 20-25 of them in it. (Well, I didn't see any dead ones or cannibalism, part of my definition of "doing okay".)

I've never had anything but FW and I've heard mention that they are a brackish invert, so I need to know if I have to get a special filter for brackish water, or can I use my spare Duetto or Stingray? How do I mix brackish water correctly? Can I just buy some pre-made saltwater from the LFS and dilute it?

Food, heat/lighting, water parameters, sexing, # in a 5 gallon size tank? Any info would be helpful...

I really want to have the land portion done as a rocky beach with some large seashells. Any idea on how that can be cleaned effectively?

Thanks :dance2:

[beefsteak]

I think you are referring to the red clawed crab. They are similar in appearance to fiddlers, but fiddler males have one claw that is significantly larger than the other. (Correct me if I'm wrong and you are indeed talking about fiddlers.)

While red claws can be kept for a time in freshwater and in the wild habitat both fresh and brackish water, it's not feasible for them to be kept in freshwater longterm whilst in captivity. Eventually they will need a brackish water set up.

You don't need a special filter, but you will need a hydrometer to measure your salinty as I'm sure you're already aware of. I can't give you any more information than that in regards to the brackish requirement as I've never kept brackish myself although I do know they the salinty should be 5-15 ppt. As far as all of the other water parameters its pretty much the same as a majority of freshwater species (very low to 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and nitrates) although I have heard they prefer a somewhat high ph. They also need a temp of 70-85 F.

These guys are really easy to feed however and will eat just about anything: shrimp pellets, algae wafers, blood and tubefix worms and even plants and veggies. I've also seen them eat small fish that venture too close, however I have heard of instances where people kept them with fish successfully.

Males have larger, redder claws then females and their bodies are also a bit larger. When put side my side I find it's fairly easy to tell. The problem with red claws is that they have a tendency to fight amongst each other especially males. They are also a fairly messy little things that's why I really would only recommend one maybe two max in your five gallon.

It may not seem like much, but trust me on this. And don't ever use pet store stocking methods as a guide. They always overstock.

[Siren]

These had white claws in the front....I've not been able to find a good site to ID them. Most only show one or two species, then lump the rest together...

I'm usually pretty good at getting the species info myself, but I'm really getting stumped by this...what I need is a picture, or someone who works at Petsmart to be able to ID them for me...

[beefsteak]

LOL.. I work at PetsMart! And we sell red clawed crabs at mine. However, it may be different at the one you went to.

EDIT: After a bit of brain racking, the only other crab I think you could have seen would have been a "mini crab" which is a type of fiddler. This is the only other type of "freshwater" crab I know of that PetsMart carries. The females tend to have white looking claws like you described while the males tend to look more gold and have the trademark large claw.

[Siren]

LOL.. I work at PetsMart! And we sell red clawed crabs at mine. However, it may be different at the one you went to.

EDIT: After a bit of brain racking, the only other crab I think you could have seen would have been a "mini crab" which is a type of fiddler. This is the only other type of "freshwater" crab I know of that PetsMart carries. The females tend to have white looking claws like you described while the males tend to look more gold and have the trademark large claw.


I just remember the big white claw...
So, assuming this ID is correct, will your previous advice still be accurate??

[beefsteak]

Yes, their care is virtually identical. However, I do think they prefer to have a salinty that's a bit higher. I'm going to try and find out in the next few days exactly what species of fiddler crab PetSmart carries as I'm sure you'd like to know should you choose to keep them. I'm rather curious myself.

[Flaringshutter]

If you're talking about either red clawed crabs or fiddler crabs, both need access to a land area and need significant levels of salt in their water. They actually do best in a brackish water setup, but if you have freshwater with quite a bit of salt in it, they'll be alright.
beefsteak gave you some great information. You can post in the brackish water forum for more info on how to mix brackish water and filter it properly.
A good reference page is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiddler_crab
as well as
http://www.fiddlercrab.info/

My fiddlers were the worst in trying to escape. I used a screen over the top of the tank, which cut down on filter rescues, etc. You'd be amazed what they can fit into. Any crack, any gaps, they're gone.

[Wesson]

Hi, I've got two Rainbow Land crabs, http://www.freewebs.com/rainbowcrabpart2/crab3.jpg
you can see from the link they have white claws, coloured shell. Mine live in a 2'x1'x1' tank, gravel bottom, and a large water bowl sunk into the gravel. They are fruit eaters, apple, pear not citrus fruits,plenty of foliage, I use small ceramic pots as hiding places. Interesting creatures, very shy.
Liz

[kuhliloach]

are they aggrassive and how big do they get?

[eagle]

do the red claw crabs have to have access to land?
The guy at my petsmart didn't say they did

[mellowvision]

they do, and they will spend a LOT of time out of the water. mine spends more than 50% of his time on land. they are a lot of fun... and in my experience are too slow to catch most fish. mine gave up trying after about a half hour.

also, they should really have about a square foot of floor per crab... you don't want to pack them in the way they do at the stores, this will only lead to lost limbs and eyes.

[Siren]

I found out after a longer search and a site with accurate photos, that I have Fiddler crabs. They need an area where they can get up out of the water, be it land or just a pile of rocks and shells.

I am not sure about red claws, but it can't hurt to have a spot for them to get out if they want to. I think it all has to do with the natural behavior of the crabs. Are they tidal feeders that run across land at low tide and look for food? Or are they deeper water and never come out of the water for any reason.