Fiddler crabs are hardy and engaging. These 2-inch creatures are low-maintenance and can live their life in captivity for two to three years. They are awesome as pets. Although they are easy to care for, you should know the perfect way to care for them for their healthy life. So, to make things easy, we are going to guide you about fiddler crab care. Here are some guidelines to help you with their care.
Setting up your fiddler crabs habitat
It is a fact that owning a fiddler crab is indeed fun and easy. But you need to create a cozy and comfortable corner for your fiddler. Before you buy a fiddler you need to set up their habitat which gives them a healthy life.
You need to follow some steps to set up their habitat. Let’s discuss about it
Preparing an aquarium tank
The fiddler crab doesn’t need a couple of rooms. A simple 10-gallon aquarium is perfect for a group of up to four. A bigger tank helps to reveal the crabs and maintain water quality. When you select an aquarium you should clean it first and also do the leak test. Try to give your tank a lid. Also, place the tank in a warm place where direct sunlight cannot come.
Water parameters
To maintain fiddler’s natural habit you must need brackish water. You should mix marine salt with fresh water to make brackish water.
It has a low sanity. The 1.005 to 1.08 gravity is perfect for fiddler crabs. You can use a hydrometer to check the water’s sanity.
Preparing sand
Fiddler crabs need not only brackish water but also sand. Put the sand at the bottom of the tank. There are different types of sand in the market but the healthiest sand is wet sand which can be found at the beach. That sand is close to the crab’s natural environment. You can fill the tank 3 to 4 centimeters with sand. They love to play sometimes in the sand and sometimes in the water.
Heater, Filter, and Bubbler
The most comfortable temperature for a fiddler crab is 75°F-85°F. The heater helps to maintain the temperature in the tank. You can use a heater to maintain the humidity for fiddler crabs.
To clean the tank inside water regularly the filter is the right choice. It helps to clean the water and increase the crab’s life span.
The crab needs oxygen. Bubblers are used to keep the tank oxygenated.
Decoration
There are a lot of options when it comes to decorating the tank. Rocks, driftwood, caves, small fake plants, etc will be the best options for decorating the tank. You can use lights for decoration. It can’t bother the crabs but it makes the tank beautiful.
A piece of PVC pipe also can be used as a decoration. It helps the crab climb and play. You can also use artificial plants. They can’t damage the plants. Artificial plants help the crabs play and hide. Decoration helps to improve their survival rate. But don’t use too much decoration that can disturb the crab’s habitat.
Clean the water
For better healthcare, you should always check whether the water is clean or not. If you use a filter in the tank then change the water once or twice a month. But if you don’t use a filter you should change the water once a week. Always clean the water for their better habitat.
Feed the fiddler
The fiddler crab needs to be fed daily. A variety of foods can ensure their nutrition. You need to watch how much crab can eat and increase or decrease the food as necessary. Food that you can give your fiddler crabs are
- Sinking food like shrimp pellets
- Seaweed
- Frozen bloodworms
- Frozen plankton
- Lettuce
- Flaked fish food
- Spinach
- Leafy greens or peas
Feed fiddler crabs a pinch of food twice a day. You can give them tiny pieces of vegetables or crushed eggshells once in a while for better nutrition. It’s essential to ration their meals. Always remember moderation is the key when it comes to feeding your fiddler crabs. By doing that you can ensure both their health and the cleanliness of their habitat.
Watch for illness
Illness is rare among fiddler crabs. But if their habitat gets imbalanced that can lead to illness and cause death. But it’s common for crabs to lose legs and claws. If a crab’s legs are broken, they can grow later.
Now you should keep in mind that molting is healthy. Always change the water from time to time. You should maintain temperature because direct sunlight can kill the fiddler crab. Always try to check their habitat timely.
Tank Mates
You can choose some brackish water fish or other species kept with crabs as a tank mate. The tank should be large enough to keep them together. You can choose as a tank mate
- Mollies
- Guppies
- Swordtails
- Amano shrimp
- Ghost shrimp etc.
Always try to avoid aggressive and large-size tank mates for them.
Breeding
In captivity, breeding isn’t possible no matter how you try. It’s complicated breeding because they need a certain type of environment. When a woman lays an egg, the egg goes to the open ocean to get fertilized, which isn’t possible in captivity.
FAQS
- How long does the Fiddler crab live?
Answer:The fiddler crab lives up to two to three years.
- Are fiddler crabs easy to take care of?
Answer:Fiddler crabs are hardy and easy to take care of with few health concerns and docile personalities.
- Do fiddler crabs fight?
Answer: The male fiddler crabs have big size claws. They use their claws to attract females and also fight with other males.
Wrap up
Fiddler crabs are good pets to keep. They are easy to handle and care for. Always keep a close eye on their habitat for a better and healthier life. If you do things right they can have a happy life.
Hope this article about fiddler crab care helps you to keep your pet healthy.
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