Care Sheet for CrustaceansAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.60 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 03/17/2005 |
Main Category: | Non-Reptile/Amphibian |
Sub Category: | Crustaceans |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | HamTang |
Years Experience: | 1 to 2 Years |
Species: | Fiddler Crab |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Red-Claw Crabs, "Mini" crabs |
Sexing and Characteristics: | The females have two small pinches and the male has one very large claw that he waves around. Breeding habits in captivity are unknown to author. |
Mostly Active During: | Night |
Substrate and Water Needs: | The habitat can be mainly water (with a filter) but they absolutely need brackish water (where fresh meets salt water) and they need a place to access dry land, otherwise they will drown within a month. Sand or gravel meant for aquariums is fine. |
Lighting and UVB: | No UVB is needed, just enough light so they know whether it is night or day. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Temperature should be around room temp, not too hot or cold. Humidity can be pretty high because of all the water. |
Heating and Equipment: | No heater is needed unless the water is cold to the touch and a filter is necessary to keep the water clean. If the water is cold, you may add a basking bulb. If it is a large tank, a small submersible heater may be used. |
Caging Provided: | No smaller than a 10 gallon. A male and female can live together, otherwise I know females and males will try to eliminate competition and harass smaller crabs unless a large tank is given. I have gravel going upwards into a slope and have a castle decoration with a hole they can hide in, while being able to climb the turrets to leave the water. |
Diet: | Omnivorous |
Description of Diet: | They love both shrimp pellets, algae disks, and frozen food (blood worms, brine shrimp, etc.) but should be given sparingly so as not to pollute the water. They supposedly eat small micro-organisms living in the gravel. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | None |
Maintenance: | Water should be partially changed once or twice a month. I do half fresh dechlorinated water (Nov-Aqua) and half salt water (1/2 Instant Ocean and Nov-Aqua added) to replace the water. |
Some Words on this Species: | They will molt, which is to shed their entire exoskeleton. Allow them to consume it as it will help them regain some of the calcium they lost. |
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