Fiddler Crab Help! Easy 5 Points!?

Question

I just got a male fiddler crab today and I placed it in a tank with my betta. But then I heard that fiddler crabs need access to land. So can I just take the fiddler crab out once a day and let it walk around? What should I do?

Answer 1

Uugh, no, no, no.

TL;DR--

Fiddler crabs are infact brackish creatures, needing a mix of salt water and freshwater. They REQUIRE this salt, or they will die right after their first molt. (So, very soon.) They also require a 50/50 land/water set up. They'll spend 80% of more of their time on the sand, but ALWAYS need access to brackish water.

Answer 2

"Keeping Fiddler Crabs

The fiddler crabs found in pet stores are most likely semi-terrestrial brackish crabs, which means they need some salt in their water as well as access to air and dry land. Unfortunately, many pet stores keep fiddlers in a freshwater aquatic set up, and recommend the same to new owners. They may do fine in a fresh water and fully aquatic set up for weeks, but will eventually become weak and die. If possible, find a store that keeps them in brackish water, or wait for a new shipment so their time spent in fresh water is minimal. Look for crabs that are active and have all their legs and claws. "



"Fiddler Crabs Need Land Too

Some provision should be made to provide the crabs with access to land/air. Owners that do not do this often find their crabs crawling up the filter intake and into or on top the filter in an attempt to find land. Providing a sloped bottom to the tank with part of the gravel or sand out of the water works well. Alternatively, use a partly filled tank with large rocks on which the crabs can climb out of the water. "



It sounds like in either case, this crab is not going to make it very long in your aquarium. It might be best to return it. I'm also concerned that the fiddler crab will latch on to the bettas long flowing fins. I'm not sure how aggressive they are, but that's usually my concern with lobsters as well.

Answer 3

Fiddler crabs need land, tunnels, freshwater, and saltwater. You modify a 20 long or larger glass aquarium to hold both saltwater and freshwater by siliconing a divider made of glass and about 2 1/2 to three inches tall across the middle of the tank, dividing the bottom into two equal squares. You blend a clay soil with some crushed oyster shell. Pack it on both sides of the divider to create a single land island. Then aim a tanning (UV) lamp at the soil for up to several days. It will develop a hard crust on the surface that won't soften in water.



If you are going to have both males and females, scatter some flat round pebbles around the island. Male fiddler crabs use their large claw as a door to their tunnel. Females use a rock. Put freshwater on one side and saltwater on the other. Once a day scoop out most of the water from both sides and then later return it where it came from to simulate a tide. Most areas of the world have two tides a day, but one is enough and in a few areas, because of unique geography, there is only one tide a day.



If you want a chance to see some of their tunnels, put black paper or black stiff plastic around the outside walls of the tank so that the soil is covered up. When you pull the paper back later, you may be able to see into some of the tunnel works.



Make new saltwater and age new freshwater to make large weekly water changes.

Answer 4

you gotta be kinda careful because if you have tubes comming up, or the filter system, the crab will crawl out on his own and you can lose him. something easy you can do is drain a few inches of water (depending on your tank size) and float a piece of styrofoam for him to climb up onto. it wont look great, but does the trick.

Answer 5

crabs do no longer choose heater, i've got been given pink claw crabs at abode too, they breed lots, a multitude. they choose vast rock to stand up off the water and that they choose marine sand it provides them calcium.