Horseshoe Crabs

[nitch]

Can anyone tell me how to feed this crab and how often. Can't seem to come up with anything that makes sense.

 

[ReefLady]

Horseshoe crabs are not usually a good choice for captive systems, for a couple reasons. First being, they get *extremely* large (12" in diameter), and the second being their diet.

They are carnivores, but spend their time sifting sand for small worms, and other crustaceans. They need a large and deep DSB, and even then, will turn it into in a *dead* sand bed in short order, and will then starve.

You can feed it supplementally with small pieces of clam/scallop/squid.

IMO, your best bet would be to return it to the LFS for a more appropriate captive choice.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!

 

[reefdude]

i agree, with learning the hard way. i had two of them for a while but eventully starved and died. unless you have very large open deep sand bed take it back.

they also get stuck between rocks a lot to.

 

[jamal-188]

Mine lived less than an hour until a hermit crab ate him. Found out later on this site that they are not a very good choice for a home aquarium.

 

[nitch]

Thanks for all the advice, I know he won't like it but sounds like a given.