Fiddler crabs have a unique appearance and entertaining behavior. They are easy to care. These crabs are small and have fascinating social structures. Here I will give you information about the fiddler crab tank setup.
They are one of the most popular crabs in our hobby. These crabs belong to the Ocypodidae family. They have an average lifespan of two and three years. That is also possible with good living and care.
If you want to create a cozy, safe, and healthy environment for your tiny, clawed companions you come to the right place.
So let’s dive into the article to learn about the tank setup.
Fiddler crab tank setup
Fiddler crabs are jovial animals. The crab’s average size is only about 2 inches wide. They are small in size but they need space to move and have fun. Always remember a happy crab is a healthy crab.
Now let’s know about the fiddler crab tank setup and make a sweet home for them.
Choose the right tank
The fiddler crab doesn’t need a lot of room. A group of up to four live very comfortably in a simple 10-gallon aquarium. A bigger tank makes it easy to maintain water quality and keep the crabs reveal. You need a long or wide tank which is better than a long or narrow one.
Choosing the tank is not enough. You need to be careful about some other things.
Let’s discuss them.
Cleaning the tank
When you choose the tank, the very first thing you can do is clean it. You can use bleach, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. Never use soap or any kind of detergent. It can leave stains in the tank.
So, spray the wall with the mentioned one and wait 10-15 minutes. Then wash it properly with clean water.
Leak test
The leak test is very important to make sure the tank is not damaged. You can put some cloth or paper under the tank. Fill the tank with water and wait for 12-24 hours.
If the paper or cloth doesn’t have any wet spots then it is good to use.
Lid
You have to make sure that the aquarium has a stable lid. It will provide ample air circulation throughout the habitat.
Water parameters
This is a tricky part to do. Crabs can not survive in full freshwater or saltwater. To maintain the natural habit, you must need brackish water. You need good quality marine salt mixed with fresh water.
Brackish water has low sanity. You can use a hydrometer to find the appropriate level. Fill one-fifth of the tank with brackish water.
It is good to check the sanity level regularly.
The water temperature is between 75°- 85° F.
You need to check the gravity that is 1.005 to 1.08 which indicates the water level is good for crabs.
The water pH level should be between 8.0 to 8.3. The hardness of water should be 12 to 30 KH.
Preparing substrate
The fiddler crab spends a lot of time in the water but they also burrow in the sand. Sand is the land for them.
Please don’t go for gravel because it makes it hard for them to crawl. Also, Believe it or not, fiddler crabs will die of frustration.
You need to wash the sand before using it in the tank. If you forget this, it may turn your tank cloudy. Firstly you prepare the sand and then pour the water into the tank.
The sand should be at least 3 inches deep on one side and slope up to provide water on the other side.
Filter and Bubbler for fiddler crab tank setup
The filter is really important for the fiddler crab tank setup. It helps the water to clean.
Filter regularly cleans the tank water so that it will increase the crab’s lifespan. It helps to prevent harmful toxins in the tank.
An internal filter will be the best choice because fiddler crabs can use cords and tubes to escape. Surprisingly fiddler crabs are known to use external filters to climb out of aquariums. So, avoid this thing by using an internal filter.
Use a bubbler to keep the tank oxygenated. They can enjoy a good amount of agitation and oxygenation by using a bubbler.
Heater for fiddler crab tank
A heater helps to ensure the temperature inside the tank. Because maintaining temperature is a must for them to survive in the tank.75°F-85°F is the most comfortable for them.
You can maintain humidity by using a heater.
Decoration
Rocks, driftwood, caves, small fake plants, etc will be the best options for decoration. These decorations help the crabs to climb when they are in the water. You can’t use live plants because crabs will destroy plants by playing with them.
You can also consider adding a piece of PVC pit to the water. It helps them to climb and hide. This decoration will minimize the stress level and improve their survival rate.
You can also use light up to your taste. Light can not bother the crabs. Light can make the outlook more beautiful.
Please make sure the decorations don’t take up too much space. Fiddler crabs need plenty of room to move around.
Conclusion
Fiddler crabs are hardy and loveable pets. They are easy to handle. Setting a tank for your fiddler crab is not very difficult.
Doing research and investing your time can create an ideal setup for them. If you do things right you can have a happy, healthy pet.
Hope this article about the fiddler crab setup will help anyone who wants a comfy home for their crabs.
Related – Fiddler Crab detailed diet guide
