Aquariums have the option of housing much more than just fish. Freshwater aquarium crabs can be a fun and beneficial addition to any fish tank!
The crabs you get from pet stores are tiny, averaging between one and four inches. Each crab should have one square foot of aquarium floor. If you put too many in your aquarium, they will become territorial and fight. You will find two types of freshwater crabs that are sold in pet stores: real and fake. True crabs are characterized by a flat shell and five pairs of legs, the first two being claws. Their abdomens are bent under their cefalothroax (their main body part). Examples of true crabs are Fiddler (the most popular with aquarists) and Horseshoe. Fake crabs keep their bodies in a shell. They are classified as true crabs in pet stores because they are short crustaceans with tough exoskeletons and ten legs.
Crabs are ideal for aquariums. They are scavengers and eat organic matter such as rotting plants, dead fish, or rotting food. Because they walk and climb but do not swim, they also stir the substrate. Like land plants, underwater plants also need the land or hammer to be cultivated. Having crabs in your tank will cultivate the vegetation in your aquarium and help it grow. The most significant benefit crabs can offer is probably their appetite for algae. If you have an algae problem, get a crab or two to keep it under control. These creatures, as well as snails, make food out of those things. Keep in mind that nothing is a substitute for maintaining the aquarium yourself.
Another benefit of freshwater crabs is the fun behavior they display! These guys will climb, sneak, and hide. If you put some kind of decoration on your tank, they will not hesitate to explore every inch of it. They will even climb up the side of the tanks and try to escape if they find a hole in the hood! The intriguing behavior is perhaps the reason why fiddle crabs are one of the most popular. They are nocturnal and they run around a lot. Males are interesting in appearance because they have one small claw and the other is large. Adding crabs to your aquarium will make it that much more unique.
Be aware that crabs require slightly more maintenance than some fish. Your water should be kept at 70-82 degrees Fahrenheit. Crabs help keep water clean, probably because they can’t live in it themselves if it gets too dirty. Make sure your crabs live in clean water and test it frequently. Not all crabs can live in water forever. Most need to visit the mainland. You can give them the dirt by putting a mound of gravel in your tank. Have him sit on the water and lean under the water.
Crabs crave a varied diet. Change your food between flakes, frozen and live foods. They will still snack on dead fish and feces between meals! Lastly, think about the fish that are already in your tank. Some fish like to eat crabs, and crabs eat tiny bottom dwelling fish. It doesn’t do an aquarium any good if its inhabitants eat each other! Do some careful research before accidentally turning your aquarium into an underwater version of ‘Lord of the Flies’.
