Mr Fiddler Crab Carrying Miss Fiddler Crab

[robertmarda]

This morning upon arriving at work I saw one of our male fiddler crabs walking semi upside down. He was carrying our female fiddler crab upside down. At first I thought she was dead and that he was carting off a meal.

When I saw her move my thoughts shifted to she's not yet dead but about to become a meal. I put my arm in the tank and touched the male on his underside until he released her. She took off pretty quick. When he tried to follow her I blocked his path with my finger. He wasn't pleased and threatened my finger with his large claw.

About a minute later he seemed to be going after her again and she didn't stick around to let him get a hold on her. I dropped food in the tank hoping it was just hunger that drove him to chase her.

Since I know little about crabs I may have interrupted them mating. However I was told by a fish store worker that fiddler crabs only mate in salt water. If that is true then I don't think they were mating.

Has anyone seen this behavior in fiddler crabs before?

 

[William]

Its mating.

My crabs were mating yesterday.


How would you like if someone came and plucked you out of the room when you were in the middle of... things?

 

[Sati]

lol, h8 when that happens

 

[Allivymar]

Bwaaaaaaaahahahahaha omg. You guys are TOO funny!

 

[myriam]

robert, maybe he was going to carry her over the threshold...LOL

 

[webmoose]

I was thinking the same thing.. Were they headed toward a door?

 

[myriam]

Next time you look in the tank they will have a "Do Not Disturb" card hanging from the doorknob...