Ghost crabs are often overlooked as pets, but they’re full of personality and surprisingly fun to care for. While ghost crabs as pets aren’t as popular as hermit crabs, they thrive in captivity if their environment mirrors their natural habitat. These tropical ghost crabs love sandy shores and need a mix of saltwater, humidity, and a lot of space to dig. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping a pet ghost crab, from tank setup to ghost crab diet and fun ghost crab facts.
Quick Overview of Ghost Crabs
- Common Names: Ghost crab, red ghost crab, white ghost crab, Atlantic ghost crab, painted ghost crab, horned ghost crab
- Scientific Name: Subfamily Ocypodinae
- Size: Up to 3 inches – yes, that’s how big ghost crabs get
- Color: White, pale, tan, dark brown, red, even purple
- Lifespan: Typically 3 years in captivity – that’s the average ghost crab lifespan
- Temperament: Peaceful and skittish
- Environment Parameters: 75–85°F temperature, 70%+ humidity, moist sand, and low-salinity saltwater
- Care Level: Easy but requires attention to ghost crabs environment details
- Breeding: Rare and difficult in tanks
- Diet: Omnivorous; loves both fresh and decaying matter
Ghost Crab Habitat and Distribution
Wondering where do ghost crabs live? You’ll find these agile crustaceans along tropical and subtropical beaches worldwide. From the Bay of Bengal to the Atlantic Ocean, and even the Mediterranean Sea, ghost crabs dig deep burrows into sandy shores. These burrows protect them from predators and hot daytime temperatures.
Fun Ghost Crab Facts You’ll Love
- Ghost crabs get their name from their pale color and sneaky movements—perfect camouflage against beach sand.
- Their gills must stay moist, so they live near water but can’t stay submerged too long. Still wondering, can ghost crabs breathe underwater? The answer is no—they breathe air through moist gills and will drown if underwater too long.
- Ghostcrab species can reach speeds of up to 9 mph, making them one of the fastest invertebrates alive!
- They can dig burrows up to 50 cm deep.
- These crabs change color slightly to match their surroundings.
- Male ghost crabs use a “copulatory plug” to prevent other males from fertilizing a female’s eggs.
How to care for Ghost crab
Ghost Crab Tank Setup
Creating the right ghost crab tank setup is essential to your crab’s health and happiness.
Tank Size
Let’s talk ghost crabs space requirements. A minimum of 10 gallons is recommended for one crab. Add 5 gallons per extra crab. Use a secure lid, because ghost crabs are fantastic escape artists!
Substrate
If you’re wondering how to take care of sand crabs, substrate is key. Use play sand or beach sand—avoid calcium sand, wood shavings, or peat moss. Provide at least 8 inches of substrate so your pet ghost crab can dig burrows freely. Additions like coco fiber can help retain moisture.
Decoration & Hiding Spots
Ghost crabs mainly hide in their own burrows, but they’ll enjoy extra decor like rocks, driftwood, or dry almond leaves. Fake plants and safe toys can make things more interesting.
Related articles to explore:
Ghost Crab Environment Parameters
To create a healthy ghost crab environment, keep temperatures between 75–85°F and humidity over 70%. Use a digital thermo-hygrometer and heat pad to control these parameters. Avoid heat lamps—they dry out the air and harm your crab’s gills. Use LED lighting during the day and keep nights dark. If you want to watch their nighttime activity, use a dim red or black light.
Water Needs: What Type of Water Do Ghost Crabs Live In?
Curious what type of water do ghost crabs live in? These crabs require brackish saltwater—aim for a specific gravity of 1.005 to 1.010 using marine salt (not table salt). While ghost crabs can’t live in freshwater, they’ll need dechlorinated water and a shallow dish to keep their gills moist. Change the water every 1–2 weeks.
Ghost Crab Tank Mates
Do ghost crabs get along with other species? Sometimes. The best ghost crab tank mates are land hermit crabs such as strawberry, Ecuadorian, or Caribbean hermit crabs. They share similar needs, though hermits also require an extra freshwater bowl. For other animals, you can build a paludarium, splitting land and water areas for more diversity. Be mindful: ghost crabs are territorial and may fight if overcrowded.
Ghost Crab Diet: What Do Ghost Crabs Eat?
If you’re asking what does a ghost crab eat—they’re not picky! In the wild, they’re scavengers. At home, offer:
- Veggies like carrots and spinach
- Fruits like apples or mango
- Meaty bits (cooked shrimp, boiled chicken)
- Occasional treats like commercial crab pellets
- Calcium sources (like cuttlebone)—important during molting!
Keep their space clean; remove uneaten food to avoid bacterial growth.
Can You Eat Ghost Crabs?
Can you eat ghost crabs? Technically, yes—but it’s not recommended. Ghost crabs edible status is debatable as they’re small, and their meat isn’t worth the effort. Also, they’re scavengers, meaning they eat decaying matter, which might make you wonder are ghost crabs dangerous to eat? While not toxic, they aren’t popular seafood. So unless you’re stranded on a beach, eating ghost crabs probably isn’t the best idea.
FAQ About Ghost Crabs
Q: What time do ghost crabs come out at night?
A: Ghost crabs are nocturnal and usually come out just after sunset to forage and patrol the beach.
Q: How fast are ghost crabs?
A: Very fast! They can scurry at speeds of up to 9 miles per hour—making them hard to catch.
Q: Can ghost crabs live in freshwater?
A: No. Ghost crabs can’t live in freshwater. They need brackish saltwater to keep their gills moist.
Q: Do ghost crabs pinch?
A: Yes, they can pinch, but it’s not dangerous. They mostly do it to defend themselves.
Q: Are ghost crabs dangerous?
A: Not at all. They’re shy and prefer to flee than fight. They’re safe to keep and handle gently.
Q: How to catch a ghost crab on the beach?
A: Use a flashlight to spot them at night. Approach quietly and scoop them up with a bucket or net.
Q: How long do ghost crabs live?
A: On average, ghost crabs live up to 3 years in captivity if well cared for.
Q: Can you keep ghost crabs as pets?
A: Absolutely! Ghost crabs as pets are fun, low-maintenance, and fascinating to observe.
Q: What are ghost crab predators?
A: Birds, raccoons, and larger crabs are their natural enemies. That’s why they hide so well.
Whether you’re fascinated by their speed, intrigued by their camouflage, or simply want a unique companion, pet ghost crabs offer a new world of sandy adventure. They’re quirky, entertaining, and surprisingly easy to care for—with the right setup, of course.
Related article – Freshwater crabs for aquarium.
