it's been a while since I posted an update so I thought I'd share some more observations.
I've started seeing more and more baby crabs, and seem to see 3 distinct sizes. I rarely see very many at a time, but I see them in so many locations that I think there must be quite a few hiding in the tunnels and burrows they've created in the HC and cork. The larger babies maintain decent size tunnels through the island, between the plant layer and the substrate it's rooted in. Yesterday I observed a smaller crab than I had previously seen, about the size of an adult Hydei fruit fly. At this size they are very dark, and are really only visible when they move under a flashlight. The largest babies, by contrast, are 3 times larger, but still not half the size of their parents, and have a lighter, mottled orange coloration, and bright red claw tips, which are fine like the thinnest sewing needles.
They are fast, often completely dissapearing from an open site when I look away for a second. They can jump a little, and sometimes act like they've just pounced on something, although they are very aware of my pressence and don't seem to move as much when I am close to the tank. The larger babies are now just large enough to observe from further away though, so it makes sneaking up for a close up a little easier. Larger babies are even sometimes seen walking on the side glass when it is wet, using condensation to stick their abdomen to the glass, and their legs to drag them around.
I've also been tweaking the temperature, air flow, and humidity a bit to try and clear the glass for better viewing. I had found that I have constant, complete coverage of the glass with condensation, even with 2 fans running on low and an airpump pushing fresh air into the tank. After trying a few things, I decided to drop the water temperature by 1.5º to the 74.5º range. The air temperature maintains around 77º. I also reduced the flow to the drip lines to a trickle, and have been misting every now and then. What I've found is that the lower water temp and reduced drip allow all the glass to stay clear if I run the fans and air pump 24/7. For the last 2 days I've had the airpump on the light timer, fans on 24/7, and it was not quite enough to keep the side panes clear. So, I'll be returning to fresh air 24/7.
I've started seeing more and more baby crabs, and seem to see 3 distinct sizes. I rarely see very many at a time, but I see them in so many locations that I think there must be quite a few hiding in the tunnels and burrows they've created in the HC and cork. The larger babies maintain decent size tunnels through the island, between the plant layer and the substrate it's rooted in. Yesterday I observed a smaller crab than I had previously seen, about the size of an adult Hydei fruit fly. At this size they are very dark, and are really only visible when they move under a flashlight. The largest babies, by contrast, are 3 times larger, but still not half the size of their parents, and have a lighter, mottled orange coloration, and bright red claw tips, which are fine like the thinnest sewing needles.
They are fast, often completely dissapearing from an open site when I look away for a second. They can jump a little, and sometimes act like they've just pounced on something, although they are very aware of my pressence and don't seem to move as much when I am close to the tank. The larger babies are now just large enough to observe from further away though, so it makes sneaking up for a close up a little easier. Larger babies are even sometimes seen walking on the side glass when it is wet, using condensation to stick their abdomen to the glass, and their legs to drag them around.
I've also been tweaking the temperature, air flow, and humidity a bit to try and clear the glass for better viewing. I had found that I have constant, complete coverage of the glass with condensation, even with 2 fans running on low and an airpump pushing fresh air into the tank. After trying a few things, I decided to drop the water temperature by 1.5º to the 74.5º range. The air temperature maintains around 77º. I also reduced the flow to the drip lines to a trickle, and have been misting every now and then. What I've found is that the lower water temp and reduced drip allow all the glass to stay clear if I run the fans and air pump 24/7. For the last 2 days I've had the airpump on the light timer, fans on 24/7, and it was not quite enough to keep the side panes clear. So, I'll be returning to fresh air 24/7.
