They are also known as Calling crabs and can be one of any of the semi-terrestrial crab species that make up the genus Uca. In this care guide, I will tell you how to keep Fiddler crabs in your home aquarium paludarium. You will know some details about their life you will not see anywhere else. Most Fiddler crabs in the pet trade are sourced from the brackish coastal swamps in the southern U.
The closest relative to the fiddler crab is the Ghost crab. Unlike land crabs, such as Hermit crabs, Fiddler crabs are partially terrestrial and spend only some of their time in the water. In the wild, Fiddler crabs prefer to live in the open mudflats under the shade of mangrove trees usually between 10 — 30 cm 4 — 12 inches below the surface in these mangrove habitats.
They and Sesarmid crabs are the dominant invertebrates in mudflats of mangrove forests in the tropical and subtropical region. These crabs create tunnels in the mudflats to escape from predators and avoid desiccation due to high temperatures.
Therefore, the most important factors determining their presence are sediment texture, porosity, organic content, water content, and temperature.
Burrow excavation efficiently oxidized anoxic subsurface sediment layers. The oxidation effect of burrows enhances the decomposition rate of organic matter and nutrient cycling in the mangrove ecosystem. In order to properly care for Fiddler crabs in the aquarium, we have to understand their behavior.
Fiddler crabs are a very active and social crab species. Males are highly territorial and will fight each other, for burrows and space. Females are not that aggressive and usually do not fight. They are a burrowing genus of crabs and readily construct dens in the substrate of their environment. These crabs also prefer to stay close to their burrows. Depending on the species, these burrows serve as a safe haven from predators, molting retreat, and even breeding areas.
When Fiddler crabs are not active on the surface, they remain inside their burrows. When active on the surface, crabs periodically return to their burrows and emerge a few minutes later. This serves to avoid predation and physiological stress and to replenish water supplies. Although it is easy to scare them, Fiddler crabs are not especially shy crabs. They can easily be observed scavenging for food and interacting with one another.
Males have only one claw that is useful for feeding, so they find and eat slower than females. Male fiddler crabs may spend up to twice as much time eating as females do. In the wild, the feeding and burrowing activity of Fiddler crabs is restricted to a low tide period. Once the tide rises they enter their tunnels and plug the burrow entrance with mud.
According to the observations, Fiddler crabs always maintain and defend territories around the burrow area. Although, males use their major claws as the main weapon in combat and defense of their territory. They can also use their legs to kick the opponent in an attempt to flip over. The length of a territorial dispute depends upon the value of a burrow as a resource, the cost to maintain it, and the local population density. Food levels can affect time spent fighting as well.
The duration of fights may be reduced by crabs building structures near their burrows that help territorial defense. Like all crabs, Fiddler crabs molt periodically throughout their lives. These molting periods begin close together when the crab is young and growing quickly. As the crab ages, these molting periods will begin to happen further and further apart. For example, adults molt every 2 — 3 months. The molting process starts in 8 — 12 days when the upper layer of the cells starts separating from the cuticle.
At that time you will notice that Fiddler crab starts eating less and less the closer is the moment of molting. Another sign of molting is some slight color change brown-muddy hue. The process of molting does not take much time 5 — 15 minutes. Crabs are vulnerable and helpless during and after molting, so it is necessary for them to go into hiding and not reappear until the process is complete and their new carapace has begun to harden.
According to the study , Fiddlers can also use a molt to get rid of harmful toxins, which concentrate in the chitin or regrow lost limbs. Male fiddler crabs are capable of partial molting. Unlike most crabs, male fiddler crabs have the ability to quickly regrow their large claw without a complete molt, if it is damaged in a fight.
These quickly regenerated claws are often not as strong, or as durable as their original claws. However, it has been observed that while this new claw is less adapted to fighting, it is lighter and more easily waved during mating rituals and more attractive to females.
Like all invertebrates, Fiddler crabs need adequate calcium supplements and trace minerals in the molting process. Note : Do not remove the old exoskeleton from the tank. It contains lots of minerals and your crab will eat it later.
Fiddler crabs can be a variety of colors, ranging from violet to black, with the males usually being the most colorful. This genus of crabs gets its name from the asymmetrical claws seen on the male crabs. One claw is much larger than the other and is held up by the crab, similar to the way a fiddle would be held. Fiddler crabs are relatively small when compared to other crabs species in the aquarium hobby, though they are a bit larger than Micro crabs. The average adult size for all Fiddler crab species rarely exceeds 5 cm 2 inches across the leg span.
Their carapace is usually about 3. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has 12 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed , times. Fiddler crabs are crustaceans common in sandy, marshy, and muddy places of the United States.
Female fiddler crabs have smaller claws. To take care of fiddler crabs, start by adding a few centimeters of sand at the bottom of a 10 gallon tank. Then, pile additional sand on 1 side of the tank so the crabs have somewhere to rest and burrow. Once your tank is ready, place your crabs inside and feed them every few days with things like fish flakes, brine shrimp, and plankton. Additionally, add more salt water as needed to keep the water level even, and change the water if it looks murky or smells of ammonia.
For more advice from our Veterinary co-author, including how to tell when your crabs are sick, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account.
Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Things You'll Need. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Purchase an aquarium tank. Get an aquarium of at least 10 gallons to accommodate your fiddler crabs. For example, if you have four or less animals, a 10 gallon tank will work.
During this time, the crab might slow down and not eat. Just be patient and your crab should return to normal. Author Note: Many Fiddler Crabs will lose a limb at some point in their life. If this happens, the crab should regrow a new limb when they molt.
Fiddler Crabs are natural-born scavengers. When they eat, these crabs will use their claws to put substrate in their mouth. They then sift through the substrate and eat the organic matter. This includes algae, fungus, and tiny insects. Dry foods are readily available and a viable option for Fiddler Crabs as well. The food is formulated to provide all of the nutrients the crabs need. Just drop some pellets or flakes into the water and watch the crabs find them.
If you want to supplement the dry food, you can provide plankton, brine shrimp, seaweed, blanched zucchini, and bloodworms. Feed your crabs once a day. If there are any leftover foods the next day, remove them to prevent the water quality from deteriorating.
Fiddler Crabs never get boring, which is one of the reasons they make such great pets!. These critters are very active and can scurry across the sand very quickly.
You might see the crabs spitting out tiny little sand balls as they search for food. Sometimes, males can get a bit territorial. They can also get into disputes over a female. If push comes to shove, they could end up fighting and losing a limb or two. Author Note : One cool behavioral quirk you can observe is waving! Fiddler Crabs will wave their big claw to communicate. This behavior alerts others of their presence. Fiddler Crabs do best in small groups of at least two. As for other tank mates, you have limited options.
Not too many fish will survive in the brackish waters Fiddler Crabs need. Furthermore, these crabs will try to catch the fish for food! Other invertebrates, such as snails or shrimp , might work. Use a digital thermometer with a probe to ensure the temperature is between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. If the aquarium needs supplemental heat, use a reptile-specific heat bulb. You can place the fixture above the land area so the fiddler crab can climb out of the water and bask to warm up.
The fiddler crab is a scavenger; he will sift through the sand and between gravel for food. In the wild, he will eat algae and any organic matter he finds. In captivity, you can feed a fiddler crab a variety of commercial foods, including algae wagers, sinking pellets, specialized crab food, dried bloodworms, shrimp and krill.
You can offer blanched zucchini, blanched peas and raw or boiled fish. By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use.
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