crab
- Thread starter aidenb
- Start date
aidenb;2344085; said:
The fiddler crabs sold in pet stores generally come from brackish water lagoons. Because they live in lower salinity water, pet stores may call them fresh-water crabs, but they cannot survive indefinitely in fresh water. Fiddler crabs should not be kept in fresh water more than a few days. Individual crabs should be perky and active and have all their claws and legs. Fiddler crabs can also be found in coastal areas in mud and sand inlet beaches and marshy area at low tide.
A ten gallon aquarium will house four medium size 1-2 inch) fiddler crabs with sufficient space to prevent aggression. Prepare a sloping sand area for the crabs to bury themselves. Brackish water fish can be added in larger aquariums. Fish such as platies, mollies, guppies and swordtails as well as ghost shrimp will adapt to moderate salinity.
Carbonate Hardness (KH) and pH Fiddler crabs do well with a pH or acidity of 8.0-8.3. Carbonate Hardness (KH) should optimally be between 150-350 ppm but crabs and some fish will tolerate higher levels. Substrate Fiddler crabs do not do well if they are deprived access to dry beach sand or dry to moist rock surfaces. Temperature Fiddler crabs do well in a range of temperatures between 75-85 F (24-29 C). If fish are kept in the tank the temperature may need to be regulated more precisely.
hope this helps
I think there is a thread of someone that had a fiddler crab they said it was an escape artist. Good luck with keeping it personally I would go with a blue crab but that’s me I live on the Chesapeake.
I have 3 fiddlers in a 5 gallon tank, which is 2/3 full of water. There is a beach on one side for them to climb out and lounge on, which they do often. I have read high and low online on just how brackish to make the water. Nobody seems to have the same ideas on this, grrrrr. I put 2 teaspoons of Oceanic sea salt in several weeks ago when I first got them. They appear to be doing fine so far. From what I read, they will not survive long term in freshwater. They do need a heater as well, as they are a tropical species. I got the 5 gallon mini-bow tank (with Whisper 10 filter and lighted hood), and the heater at Wally World for about $50 total. I am pretty much "winging it" but wanted to share what has been happening for my lil fiddlers so far.
I have fiddlers in a 125 gal community tank. They live just fine in fresh water. Never lost one yet and they been in there for almost a year now. Do a real good job of keeping the bottom of the tank clean. Can get out if u have any holes that are big enough for them to slip threw.
They do just fine in community tanks. both species.