Fans of aquarium inhabitants sooner or later begin to think about acquiring an aquarium crab, very cute, but having its own characteristics in care. Questions immediately arise about how crabs get along with fish already in the aquarium, and whether they will be aggressive towards peacefully snails or jellyfish. The second important issue is the choice of species - previously only freshwater crab was on sale, but now there is a huge variety of them. Consider the different types of crabs and the features of caring for them.
Freshwater aquarium crab
The habitat of these babies is the coastal strip of small streams or fairly large rivers. Their main feature: they love fresh water, and it is important that the acidity is as close as possible to 7 pH (neutral environment), not higher. This species is distinguished by an azure color, which often does not look as spectacular as the more diverse colors of its relatives of other species. Both sexes are endowed with a sky-blue color, and although the males are brighter and have more impressive claws, this does not underestimate the virtues of the females.
If you follow all the rules of keeping, then freshwater crabs can live in an aquarium for up to 4 years. These crabs need an aquaterrarium, where they can spend time on land, and when necessary, dive into cool water. Most of the day, crabs spend on land, the role of which can be performed by a stone protruding above the surface of the water. When it begins to get dark, the crab needs to find a cave for the night.
Royal leopard crab
This species also prefers fresh water, the pH of which does not exceed 8, although it is better that during molting the water is slightly alkaline. Royal aquarium crabs, photos of which are always colorful and unusual, have an amazing orange color. Black dots are scattered all over the shell, which makes them look like leopards. However, such a "sea leopard" has a relatively small size - 12 cm or even less.
You can not buy an aquaterrarium, because the king crab does not need to be on land. However, there is one feature: if you do not cover the pond with a lid or net, then the crab will crawl out along the wall and go to seek refuge throughout the apartment. When his gills dry, the fugitive will die, so you need to follow this.
Dutch Black Sea crab
This handsome man lives in salt water. Adult individuals may exist in fresh water, but for young individuals, water with a small amount of salt (0.3%) is important. Being quite tiny, about 3 cm, the Dutch crab has a rather dark color: terracotta, brown, and occasionally - blue-black. Falling under the rays of the sun, the shell shimmers with a beautiful color. Males are much larger than females and angular, but females have a smoother abdomen.
These aquarium crabs can breed in captivity, and for this they need only brackish water. From eggs, larvae develop that have spikes, an elongated abdomen and legs, still connected to the jaws. Later they become more like crabs.
Red mangrove crab
In nature, this crab can be found even in the forest. He can do without water for a long time, but he needs it as a refuge in danger. The water area for the mangrove crab should consist of stones that protrude above the water - there he can rest and eat. The water should also contain stones or driftwood, which form crevices for shelter. It is important that the water level is about 15 cm, but the humidity is at least 80%.
Pets themselves have a bright red shell, and claws can be bluish, orange or lemon. The size of such a crab usually does not exceed 5 cm.
If the previous species can be called just brawlers, then the mangrove crab is a real warrior. He is able to wait when his opponent weakens and attack. Especially often, a stronger female or male can attack a neighbor when he has molt or the first days after it. Often there is cannibalism. This should be considered if there are already other crabs in the aquarium.
Malawian crab
Bright blue with a purple tint of shell and red legs are the hallmarks of the Malawian aquarium crab. The content of such a small but active pet is not difficult. Despite its small size, the Malawian crab often drags stones of about its size, rebuilding its home. Therefore, it is worth making sure that there are a lot of stones in the aquarium .
In addition, these inventive creatures place stones on top of each other and thus build a wall to the very top of the aquarium. Then they run away. Therefore, it is important to cover the aquaterrarium with a lid or at least a net. The water in it should be moderately hard and at the same time enriched with oxygen. To do this, use the aeration system, which crabs, by the way, can also be used for escape. Both males and females are prone to such an active lifestyle.
Rainbow crab
The rainbow aquarium crab has a three-color color: the carapace is colored blue or purple, the legs are bright red, and the abdomen and claws are pale pink. When they grow, they can reach 20 cm in diameter. Such a large inhabitant of the aquaterrarium needs about 50-60 cm of personal space, on which there will be no other crabs. A feature of this species is living on land, but the tank should still have fresh water, which should be slightly salted by the molting period.
The crab is a land crab, and therefore spends most of its time on snags and stones, the presence of which must be taken care of. With neighbors, they behave unusually: the crab does not rush at it, but provokes it. He may not allow him to enter the shelter, blocking the entrance with his body, or he may face prey. When the opponent gets angry, then the fight will begin.
How to get along with the fish
Depending on what types of aquarium crabs are present in the aquarium, we can talk about how to hook fish to them. Freshwater crabs are quite aggressive. A separate aquaterrarium would be ideal for them, in another case, being near several males will not be too catastrophic. The Royal Aquarium Crab also does not favor outsiders on its territory, and if you already have a second male next to it, then you need everyone to have an area of about 30 cm.
Dutch aquarium crab with fish get along much better. They are generally famous as a peaceful species. But an aggressive mangrove can find the fish as dangerous neighbors, so you should not hook them to it. Malawian crabs can count small fish as a treat, but large ones are not touched. But rainbow crab with fish may not meet at all, as they spend all time on land.
Feeding Features
If you wonder what aquarium crab eats, then the answer will be simple: it all depends on the species. If the Malawian crab eats peas, cucumbers, carrots or tomatoes along with pieces of chicken, then mangroves prefer algae, considering meat only a delicacy, and rainbow ones will be happy with oranges, bananas, apples, nettles along with animal feed (crickets, flour worms or pieces of beef liver).
Freshwater aquarium crabs are not eaten in water, and therefore they are laid out food on land. When there is a molting period, until the shell has completely hardened, they do not leave the cave, and then become very hungry. It is worth taking care that the feed is enough. They can be oligochaetes (small worms), mollusks, insects or even pieces of fish, meat, squid. Frequency of feeding - once every two days. King crab should receive not only meat or fish, but also plant foods. Aquarium plants are suitable for this.
Caring for aquarium crabs is not so difficult, and observing their behavior can be more fun than watching any series. Therefore, joining the ranks of owners of aquatorrariums is a worthwhile solution if the future owner of crabs is attracted by their beauty and character. It is important only before buying to get acquainted with the behavior of the selected type of crab.