Aquarium crabs: species, feeding and keeping

As soon as an aquarium appears in the house, it turns out that aquarium farming is a whole world, interesting and exciting. First, you just want to flock of beautiful fish that will gracefully swim between algae and shells for the amusement of households. And then there is more knowledge, and the owner understands that he himself creates a small ecosystem. At a certain moment, only the fish are already few, I want to put a living creature in the aquarium more fun. For example, a crab.

Crabs have not yet passed into the category of habitual inhabitants of home living corners; they are rightly considered exotic. This fact has a negative connotation: not every seller in the pet store can inform the buyer about how to care for the crab, what he needs for a normal existence, than how to feed him. And the owner, unprepared for the appearance of such an underwater resident in the house, cannot create normal conditions for him, which makes the crab die, and the joy of the acquisition turns into a real drama.

To say that creating conditions for crabs is very difficult is impossible. But some preparation is needed. Aquarium crabs, if they take their establishment very seriously, must live in a special aquatic area. There are certain types of marine habitats that get along well in the aquarium, and they should be purchased. But only if you are sure that you can provide them with proper care, as they have a number of interesting features.

• Many of them have an extremely inert, grumpy character, and they are negatively inclined even to their relatives. If you put 2 males in one aquarium, they will be in constant conflict. Crabs like to fight both for the territory and for the female. Dueling is serious: they tear apart each other's limbs, if you do not stop the fight.
• The best solution would be to populate 2 different-sex crab in a small area. If you want a whole colony, everyone should get their own plot, and for this you need a very large aquarium. For all kinds of crabs, 30% of the land is enough for a happy life, the rest is water.
• In the aquarium where arthropods will live, there must be a very powerful filtration system. Arthropods are still clean, their sensitivity to pollution is highest. Well, if you can install an external filter.
• If you imagine picturesque underwater gardens, where among the curly emerald algae the crabs will slowly walk around, the reality will not be so beautiful. Almost all arthropod plantations try to dig and eat.
• There should be a lid in the aquarium or aquaterrarium: without it, you risk losing your multi-legged pet. They really make bold shoots, then you have to look for them later throughout the apartment. Although there is a little secret here: if the crab escaped, put a container of water in a prominent place, he will certainly come running when he is tired of land.
• In captivity, alas, the crabs do not breed. Therefore, the hope that you can see the offspring that has grown before your eyes is very small.
• Crustaceans are able to live in fresh water, but many representatives of arthropods still prefer brackish water. Therefore, it will have to be slightly salted. If this is not done, the crab will not live long.
• Crabs also molt, and this period is very delicate for them. They prefer to experience it in shelters, so they should think about their organization before acquiring a crab.

Domestic crab is a very conditional term. Previously, they practically did not sell crabs that could live in fresh water in an aquarium. Unless mangrove could be offered in a pet shop to exotic lovers. Today, the list of possible inhabitants of this species has expanded. Almost all varieties of crabs need clear-cut conditions: mineralized hard water with added salt. The main disadvantages of arthropods in the aquarium:

• unfriendly;
• can run away if the aquarium is not covered;
• encroach on vegetation in the aquarium (dig, eat).

The advantages of crab are factors:

• live long - from 3 to 6 years;
• interesting as an object for observation;
• decorative qualities at the highest level.

It is worth noting that they, in a sense, are the orderlies of their ecosystem. Arthropods eat up food that fell to the bottom of the aquarium, preventing it from going out. Some may even peel grass pebbles as if polishing them.

There are several types of arthropods.

The most common aquarium crab is perhaps Dutch. Its name is dictated by the habitat: it is found in the reservoirs of Holland, and also in the Caspian and Azov seas. Features of the view:

• not very large in size, 3 cm wide;
• their carapace is all of mini-granules, the crab itself is dark in color;
• a fundamental difference between the sexes in the size of the shell and claws: males will be larger;
• the Dutch do not show particular aggression to fish;
• can live in a freshwater aquarium;
• actively feast on living plants;
• the basic conditions of the living space are powerful aeration and many shells, snags for shelters of crustaceans.

Lives in nature in the waters of South Asia. Usually lives on the sandy shore, in case of any threat goes into the water. The pet itself is red, claws are bluish. Females and males differ in abdomen: in males, the abdomen fell, in females it is dense. Mangroves live both singly and in pairs. Sometimes aggressive towards relatives. The tank should be at least 60 liters, and better - 80 liters, to a lesser extent the crab will be crowded.

Ideal for mangrove crab (as for other species, however) aquaterrarium. In it, crabs can go to land, bask in artificial light. This system is close to natural, its conditions are more suitable for crustaceans.

Will argue in popularity with the Dutch rainbow crab. It is often called differently: indigo, terrestrial, tricolor, patriot. In nature, rainbow crab is found on the Pacific shores. This species is distinguished by a special, very bright color. The shell can be purple or bright blue, the limbs are dark orange, the lower part is light beige. Adult arthropod grows to 20 cm.

Rainbow crab is considered a capricious resident of the home "sea". They need precisely the aquaterrarium, and even spacious. He needs more drying, relatively little water is needed. In nature, for example, this species in water prefers to be only at the stage of molting and breeding, the rest of the time the crab is on the shore.

A lot of representatives of this species live in Lake Malawi in East Africa. Hence the name. The crab is beautiful in color: the carapace and limbs are blue, and the bottom of the body is painted in burgundy or brown. Despite its cute appearance, the crab is quite aggressive. One of his hobbies is to build slides from pebbles, and if the reservoir is not closed, an arthropod can climb up such a hill and run away banally.

One of the most exotic crabs: his body is painted in a very expressive purple color. Arthropod eyes are also expressive: bright orange. It is small in size, up to 3 cm. Therefore, an aquarium or aquaterrarium of 30–40 l is sufficient for such a representative of crustaceans. At home, he eats small insects or special food for crabs.

A pleasant difference from other species is friendliness. He gets along with his neighbors, does not show aggression, does not divide the territory. Acclimatization of a crab vampire does not tolerate. And also not all representatives of the species safely tolerate molting. Arthropods are vulnerable during this period, their immunity is greatly weakened.

The specific color of the body of the crab influenced its name. Someone will say that he looks intimidating, someone will argue and call the red devil a real handsome man. The limbs, sides and muzzle of the crab are black, and the head, claws and spots on the shell are bright red.

But despite the big name, this non-aggressive crab, with peaceful fish it coexists quietly. It is also easier for him to live in an aquaterrarium equipped with a small water part, everything else is allocated for land. On land, you can plant plants.

Sometimes this species is called panther, although the word "leopard" is more suitable for it. These crabs live in freshwater reservoirs of Indonesia. The color of the crab really resembles the skin of a leopard; it is covered with dark spots throughout the body (except for the bottom). Such a crab can grow up to 12 cm.

The arthropod's character is aggressive; it will defend its territory until the last, not letting him relatives or strangers. It is pleasing to lovers of such exoticism that the leopard crab does not actually need land.

This is the tiniest of invertebrates. An adult grows up to a maximum of 1.3 cm. Such a small size gave it an alternative name - spider crab or micropauch. Bright color dwarf arthropods do not differ. Their little body is gray or faded green. On the body there are small fluffs that help the crab filter the water, as well as seek food at the bottom.

Crabs are close relatives of cancers, only they have no abdomen (more precisely, they have, but very small). They don’t have a tail either, because it would prevent the crabs from moving on land. To select a crab, rate:

• its size - a large aquarium is needed for a large pet;
• character - if the crab is not the only inhabitant of the aquarium, try to acquire non-aggressive types of arthropods;
• the amount of information on caring for it - if it is a rare crab, information may turn out to be small, with common types of such a problem will not.

Many lovers of exotic pets try to take a couple: male and female, hoping that they will live together and provide replenishment. But under unnatural conditions, crustaceans do not acquire offspring.

On average, an aquarium for a comfortable living crab should be with a filling of 50 liters. More - possible, less - in rare cases, for small species. The height of the water in such containers should be at least 10–15 cm. Almost all crustaceans need clean water without nitrate impurities, ammonia, and salts of heavy metals. In an aquarium, it is important to maintain a slow flow. Attention! Water indicators - 24–26 °, on the dry part - 25–28 °.

Tropical crabs living in freshwater are considered active, mobile creatures. They like when there are several labyrinths, shelters in the aquarium. A vampire, for example, loves sphagnum at the bottom of his house. Each type of crab prefers its own scenery: one likes sand, the other - only the bottom with silt. Vampire and red claw crabs can live peacefully in a thin sand layer. In the tank there should be driftwood and stones, plants with hard leaves, since it is customary for crabs to get their own food there.

A universal soil for crab can be considered a zeolite mixed with coral chips. Mixtures with tuff granules and granite gravel are also used. Just do not take very small granules, their size should be 3-5 mm. From time to time, the soil should be siphoned, with small granules it is practically impossible to do this: the stream will simply carry away the light elements.

Long before the arthropods move into the aquarium (at least 10 days in advance), place nitrifying bacteria in the tank. And you can also let in small fish that tolerate the alkaline environment well. Filters and heating pads in the crab dwelling are unnecessary; they will be an unnecessary danger in the tank (wires). The stories when arthropods died from a short circuit in the aquarium are not isolated. Krabiki see the wire, cut it with claws and everything ends tragically.

The crab lifestyle can be called digging, digging, they like to pit in the ground. But thus, crabs can deform the coast. To avoid troubles, at an angle on the shore you should put a pipe in cross section slightly larger than the diameter of the shell. True, the condition of the pipe must be monitored: water stagnation is unacceptable in it, air must constantly be in it. That is, the pipe must be ventilated.

It does not occur to many to get such a device, considering that the crab will normally live in a standard aquarium. But for the bipedal, to which the crab belongs, an imitating natural ecosystem is important.

Only a few species of crab can do without land. Arthropods can die offshore, many types of crabs from 60 to 90% of the time stay out of the water. There can be no flat land, a small rise is required, along it the crab easily rises. Artful owners themselves make aquaterrariums based on a conventional mini-aquarium. Seasonally, the crab passes the molt, its frequency depends mainly on the literacy of caring for the pet. Shedding is carried out in salt water. This is a significant stage for the growth of crustaceans. For several hours he sits in the water and gently, slowly, from the collapsing chitinous shell, takes out all the limbs and the body. Then the weakened crab should lie down: for this, he settles in a suitable shelter. And the "crab" will come out only when it gets stronger.

At the molting stage, arthropods are vulnerable, often they become the prey of neighbors in the aquarium, therefore crab needs protection from fellow breeds. Occasionally, crustaceans die during molting. If you do not violate the rules of care, correctly equip the crab’s home, feed it well, the pet will live up to 5 years.

Almost all crabs will enjoy food for fish. They will like dried gammarus, flour worms and bloodworms, daphnia. Hotels for arthropods can be considered:

• shellfish: mussels and squid;
• snails;
• crickets;
• white fish meat;
• lean meat.

If you want your pet to grow up healthy, you will have to cook him a kind of omelet consisting of dried nettles, paprika and fine calcium salt. Crabs are able to destroy algae growing for decorative purposes in the pool. So that hungry arthropods do not eat all this beauty, they need to be fed with oranges, apples, sweet pepper, spinach, nettle, pumpkin. They will not refuse from Brussels sprouts, dandelion leaves, boiled carrots.

The food should be laid out in a dry place. Food should not be in water, because, decomposing, it will be toxic to water. This is fraught with outbreaks of disease in the crab. A typical mistake of many owners is to feed an arthropod. One third of the crab’s body will be an approximate guideline for the amount of feed.

If you start crabs for posterity, nothing will come of this idea. In nature, crabs breed all summer; warm comfortable weather is important for them. Reproduction is carried out by laying eggs. But all this happens in the ocean: offspring cannot ignore the plankton stage. And although mating behavior of crabs may well be present, breeding in captivity is virtually impossible.

Often, buyers ask the seller at the pet store about whether the crab will be bored in the aquarium, if you buy it alone, without a pair. Crabs calmly relate to loneliness, many species can not stand the neighborhood, even with representatives of their species. They are characterized by the so-called territorial behavior. With rivals, the crab will fiercely fight, losing claws (which, by the way, will grow).

Crabs also strive to hurt other neighbors, moreover, in the literal sense of the word. If leisurely fish swim in the aquarium, it will be difficult for them to resist the frequent attack of crabs, and the latter strive to pinch the fish. With some of their species, crabs showed relatively good compatibility:

• zebrafish
• barbs;
• molliesia;
• guppies;
• swordsmen.

And also crabs can coexist in the same ecosystem with macro shrimp shrimp. Do not buy pets at random in the aquarium: find out about the inhabitant of the aquarium from nutritional characteristics to compatibility with other marine inhabitants.

See how to keep and how to feed the rainbow crab in the next video.