Red claw Crab - Aquarium Advice

BrutusPleco · 05-22-2005, 03:14 PM

I have had a red claw crab for about 2 months. At first, I had him in a 39 gallon tank with plecos but learned they need to be able to get above water line. Bought a 6 gallon tank. It is half full of water, has a small filter running, lots of rocks and stuff to wander on. Also a long hollow plastic tube which crabby stays in most of the time (it is half submerged). He doesn't get out an about too often. He has molted once. Is this too much water? Are Red Claw crabs alot like hermit crabs? Having a haed time finding any info about specifics!! Thanks for any help you can give!!

lmw80 · 05-22-2005, 05:29 PM

hi brutus! I have thought about a set-up for crabs and did research. Sounds like your set up is pretty good for them, except I learned they need brackish water conditions instead of fresh.

BrutusPleco · 05-22-2005, 10:32 PM

Yes, I was using brakish water. The most horrible thing happened. I found Crabby dead this morning. Apparently he died while molting. How sad. Two days ago he was very active running around the aquarium. All I have read states that when they molt it is very stressful on them. This would have been his second molting. I'm sad.

He was very enjoyable to watch. I do have two other aquariums, 100 g. with plecos, neons, cory cats, and silver dollar fish and 39 g. with plecos and yellow Inca snail. The snail is really growing. Thank you so much for your response. It was much appreciated!

**QTOFFER** · 05-23-2005, 03:20 AM

Sorry about your loss. Failed moults are not uncommon.

Re hermits vs red claws - they are quite different. Hermit crabs thrive in a dry enclosure, but they require constant access to a fresh water source (a wet sea sponge works nicely).

Since you have an empty 6 [acronym:9837fa59bf="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:9837fa59bf], may I suggest a crayfish? They need fresh water, no heater, and a well oxygenated tank. They're probably as much fun to watch as crabs, and their behaviors are very similar. They will climb, but seem to enjoy digging more.

BrutusPleco · 05-23-2005, 04:19 PM

Thank you for your reply!

05-22-2005, 03:14 PM	#1
BrutusPleco Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: California, USA Posts: 59	Red claw Crab I have had a red claw crab for about 2 months. At first, I had him in a 39 gallon tank with plecos but learned they need to be able to get above water line. Bought a 6 gallon tank. It is half full of water, has a small filter running, lots of rocks and stuff to wander on. Also a long hollow plastic tube which crabby stays in most of the time (it is half submerged). He doesn't get out an about too often. He has molted once. Is this too much water? Are Red Claw crabs alot like hermit crabs? Having a haed time finding any info about specifics!! Thanks for any help you can give!! __________________ rivergal

05-22-2005, 05:29 PM	#2
lmw80 Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bristol, Pa Posts: 4,805 Images: 40	hi brutus! I have thought about a set-up for crabs and did research. Sounds like your set up is pretty good for them, except I learned they need brackish water conditions instead of fresh. __________________ -Lori Join the Eastern PA/Greater Philadelphia Forum! Click here: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/groupcp.php?g=7825 Aquariums are like jello - there's always room for more.

05-22-2005, 10:32 PM	#3
BrutusPleco Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: California, USA Posts: 59	Red Claw Crab Yes, I was using brakish water. The most horrible thing happened. I found Crabby dead this morning. Apparently he died while molting. How sad. Two days ago he was very active running around the aquarium. All I have read states that when they molt it is very stressful on them. This would have been his second molting. I'm sad. He was very enjoyable to watch. I do have two other aquariums, 100 g. with plecos, neons, cory cats, and silver dollar fish and 39 g. with plecos and yellow Inca snail. The snail is really growing. Thank you so much for your response. It was much appreciated! __________________ rivergal

05-23-2005, 04:19 PM	#5
BrutusPleco Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: California, USA Posts: 59	Thank you for your reply! __________________ rivergal

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-23-2005, 03:20 AM	#4
QTOFFER Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kew Gardens, NY Posts: 3,697 Images: 30	Sorry about your loss. Failed moults are not uncommon. Re hermits vs red claws - they are quite different. Hermit crabs thrive in a dry enclosure, but they require constant access to a fresh water source (a wet sea sponge works nicely). Since you have an empty 6 [acronym:9837fa59bf="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:9837fa59bf], may I suggest a crayfish? They need fresh water, no heater, and a well oxygenated tank. They're probably as much fun to watch as crabs, and their behaviors are very similar. They will climb, but seem to enjoy digging more.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Betta together with a Red Claw Crab	fishb0ne	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	17	01-08-2007 07:56 PM
Red claw crab and betta?	Hrafnkel	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	10	08-23-2005 06:27 PM
Red-claw crab just molted!	Hrafnkel	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	2	08-16-2005 05:12 PM
red claw crab questions	mishkami	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	1	05-18-2005 06:40 AM
Red Claw Crab	BrutusPleco	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	13	03-22-2005 08:01 PM