I think my fiddler crab had babies!

[jtelljohann]

I have a male and female fiddler crab pair that I think mated and produced offspring. These are in a 10 gallon specialty ramshorn and mystery snail breeding tank. About a week ago I noticed little 'squiggles' floating in the water and some actually worming their way on the glass. Today I put in some homemade snail food cubes and all heck happened. I started to see little aphid looking things coming up out of the gravel. They are teeny-tiny and move and look like an underwater spider mite. I know everyone says that fiddlers don't breed in regular tanks, but what else could these be?! I have noticed the squiggles before with another set of crabs and I'm assuming they ended up in the filter. I have NOT seen these little spidery critters. I can take a picture of the squiggles if that helps, but I don't know if I can focus good enough to get the mites. Any help will be appreciated, thank you!

 

[MABJ]

I would remove the mother and father pair, and lower the filter to the lowest setting or remove it. Feed micro food, and wait. Do your fiddlers have a method of getting to the surface?

 

[Tasha]

Keep us posted, I dont have any experience with pet crabs, but would love to see pictures once there big enough GL

 

[siva]

They DO breed, the babies just don't survive. Not without a special set up with proper currents, phytoplankton and higher salinity levels.

 

[siva]

I'd LOVE to see a pic..please try to get one

 

[GhillieSniper115]

Uuuhhhhhh are they salt or fresh? I saw them in a LFS once and wanted to get them but then they were sold out. couldn't find anymore. :/

 

[siva]

Are you keeping them in brackish water? Fidders are BW crabs.

 

[GhillieSniper115]

Are you keeping them in brackish water? Fidders are BW crabs.

Me?

 

[MABJ]

This guy hasn't gotten back on to respond to questions, so I assume he isn't coming back

 

[siva]

Me?

No sorry was trying to ask the OP and answer your question at the same time.