Do you want to add a crab to your aquarium as a pet? But you do not know which species would be the best option. Don’t worry; we are covered in everything. In this guide, we are sharing the best pet crabs for beginner crab owners that are sure to liven up your tank.
Whether you are a long-time aquarium keeper or just starting, adding crabs as a pet to your tank can be a fun alternative to consider rather than just including more fish. The pet’s crabs come in a variety of colors and sizes. Usually, they can be quiet and entertaining to watch as they climb, burrow and scavenge.
However, it is true that, as a beginner crab owner, you are concerned that caring for pet crabs is too complicated. Dont worry! Many types of pet crabs do not require a lot of maintenance. Also, it is no harder to take care of them than the other types of crabs. So keep reading and identifying these species.
List of 11 Best Pet Crabs For Beginners
1. Emerald Crab
The emerald crabs have been dubbed the best pet crabs for beginners and it is easy to see why. They make an excellent addition to your underwater janitor crew, who not only loves munching on leftover food but is also an avid algae eater.
Besides, it is one of the species that will eat the annoying bubble algae that most other invertebrates will make noise about. Unlike some other crabs that might snatch up unsuspecting inverts, they can be combined with most aquarium inhabitants.
To learn more details about emerald crabs…
2. Arrow Crab
The arrow crabs come from the stenor hynchus genus and are very easy to recognise from their long and spidery legs. Also, the horn-like growth protrudes from the head. Due to their appearance, they are also known as spider crabs and reach a leg span of about the size of an adult’s hand.
Usually, the arrow crabs are reef-safe. But when they do not get enough food, they might prey on smaller invertebrates, like shrimp. In addition, you can supplement their diet with invertebrates and pretty much anything else you can find.
For more details about the arrow crab…
3. Pom-Pom Crab
In our list of the 11 best pet crabs for beginners, pom pom crabs are another one. They are also known as boxer crabs. Although their two common names lend to the fact that they tend to carry a small anemone on their two claws. These anemones serve multiple functions, such as raising them in defence when threatened.
Also, eat any small food that gets stuck in the tentacles. Therefore, they are small and sized so that they do not need a large setup. Besides, with minimum care, beginner crabs can easily be kept in the aquarium.
If you want to learn more details about pom pom crabs, including their care and keeping guide, click here.
4. Marble Batik Crab
In the aquarium hobby, the marble batik crab is a very rare crab that has a smooth square body. Usually, they are scavengers, which can make them a great addition to aquariums and the best pets for beginner crab owners. Besides, they may require relatively low maintenance and are easy to care for. So that they are good for beginner crab aquarists.
In general, they love sand and dry areas. So it is very important to make sure your tank has these two things. Though they do not need a lot of diets, it is suggested that you provide a healthy diet for their growth.
Here is the marble batik crab detail guide, including their care.
5. Red Apple Crab
The red apple crab is a new addition to the aquarium hobby and the best crab as a pet for beginners. Usually, they will thrive in a paludarium. The most fantastic thing about crabs is that they can change their colors based on how they are feeling.
Due to their aggression, it is best to keep them alone with enough places to burrow. Moreover, they enjoy lots of veggies compared to the other crab species. So make sure that they have access to those.
6. Rainbow Crab
Rainbow crabs are also known as the African rainbow crab, the Nigerian moon crab, and the patriot crab. As well, they are not fully aquatic crabs so they need both water and land space in the aquarium.
So if you want to keep them healthy, a paludarium is a good choice for them. However, if you want to keep a low-maintenance crab with a colourful appearance, consider keeping the rainbow crab. They are the best pet crabs for beginners.
If you want to know more details about rainbow crabs, visit here.
7. Matano Crab
With a peaceful personality and colourful appearance, matano crabs are the perfect choice for any freshwater aquarium. Although they are quite new to the hobby, in a short time, they are becoming the best pet crabs for beginners and experienced owners.
This is because of their vibrant lavender colour. In addition, they can be quite territorial so they plan on keeping them to themselves. Moreover, if they get enough space and food, they will be very happy.
A detailed guide to matano crab care and keeping is here.
8. Blue Legged Hermit crab
With a large number of crab species, a blue-legged hermit crab is one of the relatively best pet crabs for beginner crab enthusiasts. Due to their appetite for detritus and algae, these hermit crabs make a great addition to your underwater cleaning crew.
In general, they are peaceful and do not bother their tankmates. This can help make them good for keeping in the tank for new crab owners.
9. Thai Micro Crab
Thai micro crab is the other best pet crab for beginners. Whether you have a small tank or a big one, you can keep them with a minimal tank setup. Because of their small size, they do not need a lot of space.
However, both new and experienced crab aquarists can care for these crabs to ensure their healthy growth. They look similar to spider crabs, which they often confuse for spider crabs.
10. Fiddler Crab
What makes the fiddler crab unique is that the males have one large claw that is used for mating. Normally, you can find them on beaches, marshes and muddy areas. Although they are not fully aquatic, they require both land and water to live.
You can expect them to be very active during the day. Their small size and interesting appearance make them the best pet crabs for beginners.
Therefore, if you want to learn more about fiddler crabs, visit here.
11. Hermit Crabs
The Halloween crabs are gorgeous to look at and they will remind you of the Halloween decorations you had as a kid. Their vibrant orange colors and red stripes around their legs make a nice contrast to the shell. As well, they are omnivores so they are very easy to care for and the best crab pets for beginners.
Here are vast amount of content about hermit crabs in our hermit crab category.
To Sum Up
In every aquarium, crabs are a great addition. Their great contrast, diversity, and large appetite make them essential parts of the tank clean-up crew. However, a wide selection of different crab species can help to target different food groups. This allows your tank to help maintain an acceptable level of detritus. Hopefully, this list of the 11 best pet crabs for beginners sparks your curiosity.
