Fiddler Crab Care
Fiddler Crabs in Nature: The Fiddler Crab (Animalia crustacea) is a member of the Arthopod Phyla. They live on sand beaches or in mud marshes. (You might see some when you are on a beach vacation in the Southern States.) They dig burrows up to a foot deep. When the tide comes in the crabs climb into the burrows and plug them up with sand pellets. The Fiddler Crab scavenges for pieces of organic matter that has washed up near their burrows. Birds are their main predator.
Housing: Housing for a Fiddler Crab can range from simple to elaborate.
Aquarium & Cover: A simple set will can include a 5 or 10 Aquarium
with screen cover, or a plastic container (minimum 2 gallon size) with lid.
Some more elaborate (and successful) set-ups include running water and
filtration.
Sand: Put a 2-4" layer of fine aquarium sand (or play sand) in the
tank for burrowing. Optional: Some systems also include an inch or two of peat
moss under the sand.
Sea Salt & Chlorine Neutralizer: Purchase a small pack of
"Instant Ocean synthetic sea salt (5 gallon size will do.) You will use 8
tablespoons of salt to one gallon of water. You will need
some "NovAqua" chlorine neutralizer when you mix up the saltwater.
Water Dish: You will need to provide a shallow water dish of freshwater
for your crabs.
Decorations: Not required, but you can add a background or some plastic
decorations. You might want to make it look more natural with some such as
shells or small rocks. Some short "grass-like" plastic plants will
make your aquarium look more natural.
How to set-up home: Rinse the aquarium with clean water (never use
detergents) and then add the sand to the bottom. Use a clean bucket and prepare
a gallon or two. Follow label directions (one cup makes 2 gallon ) Add enough
saltwater to cover the sand by 1". Then gently slope the sand some that 1/2
of the aquarium is dry and 1/2 is wet. Place the shallow water dish of
freshwater on the dry side.
Food: Feed small amounts of food, and remove and uneaten food the next day.
Feed once every one or two days. Some good foods are:
Freeze-dried Plankton, FMR Hermit Crab Food, HBH Newt and Salamander Bits,
Tetra Color Bits, Tetra Repto-min
Compatibility: You can keep them as singles or groups. Because of the specialized housing requirements it is best not to mix them with other animals.
In Fish Tanks: Fiddler Crabs are not suitable for community fish tanks. In a freshwater aquarium they will only live a month or two.
Maintenance: Change 1/3 of the water once or twice a month. Remove uneaten food as needed.
How to Sex Them: Adult males have one claw that is larger than the other. The female lays eggs that hatch 7 to 10 days later.