Aquatic crabs as pets are a unique alternative to traditional aquariums that mesmerize hobbyists with their behaviors and easy-to-care-for nature. They easily fascinate hobbyists with their entertaining behaviors and ease of care. Their small size and flexibility in nature make them apt for even small aquariums, but they have specific needs as to habitat and water quality.
If you’re thinking about adding one to your tank, here’s a balanced view to weigh the pros and cons of keeping aquatic crabs as a pet.
Understanding Aquatic Crabs as Pets
Aquatic crabs are interesting pets that need a well-rounded habitat with suitable water conditions, access to land, and a diverse diet. They are omnivores, molt to grow, and can be territorial. Some do well in freshwater, while others require brackish water. Proper care includes maintaining water quality, providing hiding spots, and ensuring a secure tank setup to prevent escapes.
Best Aquatic Crabs as Pets
There are two major kinds of pet crabs, such as fully aquatic crabs that live completely underwater and semi-aquatic crabs that need both water and land areas. When it comes to selecting an aquatic crab as a pet, one needs to ensure that the species is fully aquatic or semi-aquatic, since their care differs so much between these two.
1. Fully Aquatic Crabs
Many people ask, “Are there any fully aquatic crabs?” Yes! Some crabs are totally aquatic, though they still need proper tank conditions.
Note: If you are more interested in completely aquatic crabs, you should check the list of 6 Fascinating Fully Aquatic Freshwater Crabs.
Thai Micro Crab
Limnopilos naiyanetri is a truly freshwater, fully aquatic crab that does well in nano tanks. Thai Micro Crab is peaceful, small and does very well in planted aquariums.
Anemone Crab
This little crab is colorful and forms a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones. It thrives in saltwater environments, where it can hide among the anemones for protection.
Panther Crab
Parathelphusa pantherina is one of the most beautiful freshwater crabs, with leopard-like markings. Panther crab requires a bigger tank with lots of hiding places and is semi-aggressive.
Blue Leg Hermit Crab
Known for their striking blue legs, these crabs are scavengers in saltwater tanks and will help clean the algae, requiring hiding spots within the tank.
Matano Crab
This is a very rare, totally aquatic freshwater crab originating from the lakes of Indonesia. Matano crab requires clean, well-oxygenated water.
2. Semi-Aquatic Crabs
These crabs require both terrestrial and aquatic areas to live. If land is not available, they may not survive for a long period.
Fiddler Crab
Brackish water with a sandy bottom and a dry area is required. Males have one oversized claw used for communication.
Read More: Fiddler Crab Care
Mithrax Crab
Also known as the “Emerald Crab,” this species is great for cleaning algae in saltwater tanks. They are hardy and enjoy both land and water.
Vampire Crab
Vibrantly colored and do great in paludariums with both water and land. They are social and do great in small groups.
Read More: How to Care a Vampire Crab
Halloween Hermit Crab
With bright orange and black coloring, this hermit crab is easily recognized. It requires a mix of water and land to roam in, searching for food without becoming one.
Red Claw Crab
Perisesarma bidens is a territorial species that favors brackish water with both a variety of places to hide and dry land.
Read More: Red Claw Crab Care Complete Guide
Can I Keep Crabs in an Aquarium?
You can keep crabs in an aquarium, provided you carefully handle their habitat and water conditions along with their food intake. Here’s what to consider before putting crabs into an aquarium:
Choosing the Right Species of Crab
Choosing the appropriate species of crab is the first step to successfully establishing your aquarium. Fully aquatic crabs spend their entire lives underwater and can be combined in any normal freshwater or saltwater aquarium. On the other hand, the semi-aquatic species require both water and land for survival.
Aquarium Setup Requirements
Creating a suitable tank is the key to keeping crabs happy and healthy. The tank size depends on the species. Small crabs need at least five gallons, while larger ones require 10-20 gallons or more. Filtration and proper oxygenation help in maintaining water quality, while sandy or fine gravel substrate provides a natural feel.
Water Conditions and Filtration
Keeping the appropriate water conditions is very important to the health of crabs. A good-quality filter cleanses the water, removing any bad toxins from the environment, thereby keeping it stable. An additional air pump could enhance the levels of oxygen inside, avoiding the stress that results in a more active lifestyle in your crabs.
Diet and Feeding Habits
Being omnivores, crabs will require a complete diet for development and shell quality. Adding calcium-rich foods to their diet, like crushed eggshells or cuttlebone, helps reinforce the exoskeleton and assists in healthy molting.
Tank Mates and Behavior
Knowing the crab’s temperament before keeping them in a community tank is very important. For instance, Thai micro crabs are a peaceful species, so it’s okay to coexist with small fish and snails. But red claw crabs might be quite aggressive, so keep them only in a species-only tank.
How Long Do Aquatic Crabs Live?
The lifespan of aquatic crabs will depend upon the species, habitat conditions, and care. Most pet crabs have an average life expectancy of 2 to 5 years, though some species can survive even longer with optimal care.
Fully Aquatic Crabs: Species like Thai Micro Crabs and Panther Crabs usually live for 1.5 to 3 years in a well-maintained aquarium with clean water and proper nutrition.
Semi-Aquatic Crabs: Crabs like Fiddler Crabs and Red Claw Crabs might live as long as 5 years if provided with the right land-to-water environment coupled with a correct diet.
Larger Species: Some freshwater and brackish crabs, like Rainbow Crabs, could live as long as 8 years under optimum conditions.
Note: If you’re considering saltwater crabs, then take a look at this blog about the “Types of Saltwater Crabs” so that you can understand which one will suit best in your saltwater tank.
Pros and Cons of Aquatic Crabs as Pets
Aquatic crabs can be very interesting pets with distinct personalities. Yet, they come with their own set of pros and cons. Learn their pros and cons to help you decide if they are right for your aquarium.
Pros:
- Fascinating and active behaviors
- Low-maintenance compared to fish
- Natural tank cleaners
- Require minimal space
- Wide variety of species
- Can live with some peaceful tank mates
- Relatively long lifespan with proper care
Cons:
- Some species are territorial or aggressive
- Need specific water conditions
- Semi-aquatic crabs need both land and water
- Compatibility issues with certain tank mates
Is an Aquatic Crab the Right Pet for You?
If you are looking for something different that requires less maintenance for your aquarium, pet aquatic crabs may be the perfect fit. With their intriguing behaviors, requiring very little space, and an innate ability to clean your tank, they will appeal to the amateur and expert aquarist alike. However, one needs to understand their special care and create a suitable habitat for them.
