Keeping small crabs as pets is a fun and unique way to enjoy the beauty of nature in your home. These little crustaceans have a lot of personality and can adapt quite well to various enclosures. However, selecting the right species and ensuring proper care is essential for their well-being.
Whether you’re looking for a freshwater crab for your aquarium or a semi-terrestrial species for a paludarium, this guide will help you find the best small pet species and essential care for your new crustacean companion.
Best Small Crabs to Keep as Pets
For people interested in unusual and interactive pets, small crabs as pets are one interesting and low-maintenance option to consider. These crustaceans exhibit a wide range of behaviors, from burrowing and climbing to scavenging and social interactions, making them quite captivating to add to any enclosure.
However, the choice of species is important, as different species of crabs have different environmental requirements, some being fully aquatic, some requiring a subtle balance between land and water, and others doing well in a completely dry terrarium setup.
Below are five of the best small crabs for aquariums, paludariums, and terrariums to help you make an informed decision for your ideal pet enclosure.
5 Best Small Crabs as Pets to Keep in Aquariums
If you’re looking for fully aquatic crabs, these species adapt well to aquarium life and bring excitement to your tank.
Thai Micro Crab
The Thai micro crab is perfect for nano aquariums, given its tiny size and very peaceful nature. This species will live in freshwater aquariums and will do better in heavily planted tanks with many places to hide. It’s easy to care for, and its interesting behavior makes it a great small crab for pets.
Panther Crab
This colorful freshwater crab is quite active and very fun to watch. It requires a well-maintained tank with available hiding places and a balanced diet of plants and proteins. Non-aggressive and easy to adapt to aquarium life, it will make very good small crabs as pets for beginners.
Red Claw Crab
Primarily the red claw crabs are semi-aquatic, so they need some land access. Quite striking in appearance and an active personality, it will remain healthy and thrive in a well-decorated aquarium with proper brackish water conditions.
Fiddler Crab
Fiddler crabs are highly interactive and known for their oversized claw. Their requirements include brackish water and a mixture of land-water areas. The social nature provides much entertainment, especially when one is waving a claw to perform its mating displays.
Freshwater Pom Pom Crab
These pom-pom crabs have small hair-like features on their claws, giving them their distinctive “pom-pom” appearance. They are fully aquatic and do well in community tanks with peaceful fish.
5 Best Small Crabs to Keep as Pets in Paludariums
Paludariums combine aquatic and terrestrial elements to create a habitat for organisms that are both land- and water-dependent.
Rainbow Land Crab
This is a colorful crab that will bring life into the paludarium and require both shallow water and land. It is very active, with striking blue and orange coloration, and a great display pet.
Halloween Moon Crab
It’s known for its bright orange and black colors, with the ability to burrow well and explore the environment. They thrive in a humid paludium with the presence of both fresh and brackish water.
Vampire Crab
Vampire crabs are semi-aquatic but they are ideal for a paludarium since they need both water and land. They have bright purple and orange colors, which make them very visually appealing. They are small, easy to care for, and do well in groups, so they make for an excellent pet choice.
Related Topic: A Proper Guide to Build A Vampire Crab Paludarium
Leopard Crab
This is a beautiful crab with spotted patterns, which likes to stay in both water and land areas. Feeding is easy, and it thrives well in a paludarium with good humidity and hiding spots.
Thai Devil Crab
The Thai devil crab is bold and active, often exploring its surroundings. It does require freshwater pools but also needs dry land, so a well-maintained paludarium would suit this species nicely.
5 Best Small Crabs as Pets to Keep in Terrariums
Terrariums are best for crabs that spend most of their time on land and have minimal water needs.
Halloween Moon Crab
This colorful crab is a real favorite for terrariums. These crabs are ideal for a terrestrial setup with proper heat, a little humidity, and some access to fresh water, with many places to hide.
Blue Land Crab
The blueland crab is large for a small crab species, but it does well in terrariums and prefers a setup with sandy or soil-based logs and plants with places to hide.
Related Article: A Beginner’s Guide to Owning Pet Blue Crabs
Hermit Crab
Among the land crabs pet, hermit crabs are among the most popular for terrariums. They do not need a great deal of water but do need appropriate substrate for burrowing and various shells for growth.
Strawberry Land Crab
This bright red crab needs a humid terrarium with plenty of hiding places. It’s social and easy to care for, making it ideal for small crabs for beginners.
Giant Land Crab
Despite its name, this crab remains manageable in size and adapts well to terrariums. It is intelligent, and engaging and requires a proper land-based setup with occasional freshwater access.
Related Topic: Coconut Crab Pet Care Made Easy
Do Small Crabs Make Great Pets?
Keeping small crabs as pets can be quite satisfying, both in positive and negative ways. They also have certain care requirements that one should pay attention to if they are planning to get these animals. Now, I am going to elaborate on the advantages and disadvantages of keeping small crabs as pets to help you decide if this is what you want.
Pros of Keeping Small Crabs as Pets
Low Maintenance: Unlike dogs or cats, crabs do not require daily interaction or frequent feedings. Many species are hardy and adapt well to various conditions. Hence, they are generally easy to care for.
Small Size: Most small crabs remain within 1 to 4 inches in size, enabling them to live comfortably in smaller tanks. Usually, a 10-gallon tank would be adequate, which is quite appealing for people who have limited space.
Interesting to Watch: Crabs are very active and engaging in their different ways by burrowing, climbing, scavenging, and sometimes even waving or signalling. It is very entertaining to watch them interact in the aquarium environment.
Omnivorous Diet: These crustaceans are naturally scavengers and consume a variety of plant and animal matter. They help to clean up waste, algae, and decaying matter in the habitat.
Long Life Span: If properly looked after, certain species can have life spans that range from 2 to 8 years and can be quite longer-term pets compared to many small animals.
Cons of Keeping Small Crabs as Pets
Not Meant to Be Handled: Unlike dogs or even reptiles, crabs do not like being touched. Constant handling can stress them out, and in turn, they will either try to pinch or attempt an escape. For owners who seek an interactive pet, crabs might not be the best fit.
Aggressive and territorial: Many species are very territorial, especially in confined spaces. If kept together, they may fight over resources, leading to injuries or even fatalities. If you plan to keep multiple crabs, ensure ample hiding spots and space.
Special Molting Requirements: Crabs are in a stage of continuous growth, undergoing molting or shedding of exoskeleton for the formation of a new one. During this period, crabs are particularly vulnerable and should be provided with a stress-free environment with an adequate number of hides. Disturbing them may lead to unsuccessful molting and could be disastrous.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you keep small crabs as pets?
Yes, you can keep small crabs as pets, but they require a well-maintained habitat for their living. With a proper diet, correct humidity, and a secure setup, these little crustaceans can live for several years and always be entertaining.
What crabs can you own as pets?
You can keep a few species of small crabs as pets, based on their habitat requirements. Some popular species include Vampire Crabs, Fiddler Crabs, Thai Micro Crabs, Red Claw Crabs, and Halloween Moon Crabs. Before choosing a species, research its specific tank setup, diet, and compatibility with other pets.
What is the best crab to keep as a pet?
The best pet crab would depend upon your experience level and how you have set up your tank. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance crab, a great option is the vampire crabs. For those who wish to keep an entirely aquatic species, Thai microcrabs would be ideal for small freshwater tanks. If you enjoy interactive pets, fiddler crabs can be active and entertaining.
What is the easiest crab to own?
The easiest crabs to keep are species that demand minimum care and adapt well in captivity. Examples of the easiest include Thai micro crabs and vampire crabs since they do not require brackish water and can survive in simple setups.
What Do Small Pet Crabs Eat?
Small pet crabs are omnivores, meaning they love eating all kinds of things from plants to animals. They consume commercial crab pellets, fresh vegetables, fruits in moderation, sources of proteins like dried shrimp, and natural algae. A proper diet supports growth, molting, and overall health.
How long do small pet crabs live?
The life expectancy of small, cute pet crabs is different for each species. Thai micro crabs live about 1–2 years, while vampire crabs and fiddler crabs can live up to 3–5 years with proper care. Some species, like Halloween moon crabs, can live even longer, up to 10 years.
