Fiddler crabs are crustaceans that commonly live in sandy and marshy areas; they can be very colorful, the male has one claw larger than the other, shaped like a violin. While they play a valuable role in ecosystem balance, they can also be kept indoors as pets. By creating an appropriate habitat and providing the right attention, you can take care of them and raise them.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Setting the Right Habitat
Step 1. Buy an aquarium
Fiddler crabs live near water sources, so you need to create an environment that is as close to natural as possible. Get a tub with a minimum capacity of 40 liters.
- Get a tank that is proportionate to the number of crabs you want to keep. For example, if you have up to four pieces, you can use a 40-liter one; however, if your pets are older or more than 4, you must take a container with a capacity of at least 80 liters, to avoid hostilities and conflicts arise.
- Get the largest aquarium you can afford at a pet store or large retailer. Often, it is also possible to find a second-hand one, but in this case it must be washed before use.
- Make sure it has a lid, as the crabs can climb and escape.
Step 2. Put the aquarium in a warm place
Crabs are very active when temperatures are higher. However, avoid exposing them to direct sunlight, as it could kill your little friends.
- Find a place that has a fairly constant temperature (between 20 and 25 ° C); if necessary, use an aquarium thermometer.
- Make sure the tub is not near heaters, other heating devices, or drafty areas of the house.
Step 3. Add some sand
Although there are conflicting opinions about the necessary amount of sand to be distributed at the bottom of the aquarium, keep in mind that fiddler crabs are semi-terrestrial animals and love to burrow. Fill the tank with at least a few inches of sand at the bottom to make the animals comfortable.
- Start with 4-5 inches of sand; add more if you have more crabs or if you want them to have more space to hide in.
- Get some organic sand for aquariums or sand for children's sandboxes.
- Pile most of the sand on one side of the tank until you get the thickness you want.
Step 4. Pour the water into the tub
You have to add a small amount to simulate the natural brackish water habitat of these crustaceans; you can either insert a small bowl or pour the water directly into the aquarium.
- Fill the container with 1.5-2 liters of brackish water.
- To make it, mix the dechlorinated water with 1 g (or half a teaspoon) of sea salt. Make sure it is free of chlorine, as this substance causes stress to animals and can even kill them.
- Decide if you want to fill the bottom of the aquarium with water or if you prefer to place a small plastic or glass bowl flush with the surface of the sand.
- Be aware that you will need to keep the water as clean as possible, as you will need to add food to it as well.
- Keep in mind that the water mixed with the sand becomes cloudy and brownish; this is completely normal and the sand will settle to the bottom over the course of the day.
Step 5. Add decorations
You can decide to put some ornaments or plants inside the aquarium. Fiddler crabs like to hide when they are scared or shedding; putting some accessories, you can make them feel more comfortable in these moments.
- Add plants or plastic sprigs, as these crustaceans often destroy real ones. The sticks carried ashore by the sea and the stones are excellent choices, because they allow the crabs to come out of the water, an aspect of vital importance for their health.
- Consider inserting a few pieces of PVC tubing so the crustaceans can climb and hide. be sure to rinse them well before putting them in the aquarium.
Part 2 of 2: Taking care of the crabs
Step 1. Welcome the crustaceans
Most people order fiddler crabs from a vendor or pet store; before releasing them in the aquarium or while setting up the tank, place them in another container.
- To hold the crabs, use a plastic bucket or large plate and fill it with brackish water.
- Avoid leaving pets in the transport material. Free them from the packaging that was provided to you at the time of purchase and discard the water they were in.
- Store male and female specimens in separate containers if they arrived separately.
- Cover the container to prevent them from escaping.
Step 2. Release the crustaceans into the aquarium
After freeing them from the packaging they arrived in and putting them in the first container, it is time to release them in their new home. While it is possible at first to keep them all in the same tank, pay attention to any aggressive behavior, which can indicate the impossibility of a peaceful coexistence.
Keep in mind that although fiddler crabs often move around and eat in groups, they can be aggressive towards each other; injuries are rarely caused, but you must consider separating them if one specimen does not allow another to move freely in the aquarium
Step 3. Feed your new friends
Most of these animals eat by "sifting" the sand in which they live all day. Check how much they eat and increase the amount of food if necessary, but be careful not to overdo it, otherwise the aquarium may start to smell bad or ammonia-like and the water may become dirty.
- Add the following products to the aquarium every day to feed your crustaceans: a brine shrimp or two plankton, some fish flakes and just put them in water.
- Change the type of food every few days, adding three freeze-dried American worms, some fish flakes, and a couple of bits of seaweed.
- However, keep in mind that the latter can promote the growth of algae in the aquarium that the crabs will feed on.
- Know that it is not unusual for these crustaceans to eat spoiled food.
Step 4. Change the water regularly
Adding fresh, fresh chlorine-free brackish water is the key to keeping your friends healthy. Add clean water when you see that the one in the tub has evaporated; if you smell ammonia or the water is cloudy, change both the water and the sand.
Remember that you only need to add dechlorinated brackish water; do not use table salt for this purpose
Step 5. Leave the moulting specimen alone
Crabs change their exoskeleton to grow; check the moulting one and make sure it is separated from the others during this phase, as it can be very fragile for a few days.
- Keep in mind that at this stage the crab can be shy and not eat.
- Do not remove the peeling or peeling skin, as the crustacean eats it for its calcium content.
- Remove any fiddler crabs from the container that annoy the moulting person.
Step 6. Pay attention to any diseases
Diseases are quite rare among fiddler crabs; however, if you don't keep the water clean and the environment at the correct temperature, these animals can get sick and die.
- Moulting is a normal and healthy characteristic of crabs.
- Also know that it is normal for claws or legs to be missing and that they will grow back.
- Check the water for bad odors, which may indicate a problem with its quality; you may find that the crabs become more active when you change it.
