Figure 8 + Fire Claw Crab?

[jtipton]

I have a fire claw crab that is now about 1"-1.5" for just the carapace and 2"-2.5" with his legs. Can he be kept with a Figure 8 puffer, or will he be lunch?! The crab seems very large and capable of defending himself, but has not shown predatory behavior towards fish. He is very cool. Check out the avatar! Thanks for the help.

Edit: Added line about predatory behavior

 

[jtipton]

Any help on this one?

 

[jennybugs]

AFAIK the crab may well be seen as lunch by the F8. Mine eat live shrimp and prawns with the shells on with relish, and the way they crunch through crab legs, I'd be surprised if they didn't try to eat a crab.

 

[TylerFerretLord]

Yeah, he'll most likely get eaten.

 

[jtipton]

I decided to go for it. My crab recently molted, and is even bigger now! He is about the size of a tarantula. I added the Figure 8 today. He is about 1.5" and actually took off running when the crab came out of his cave. His legs are actually thicker than the puffers mouth. Plus, as I just mentioned, he has his own cave that goes back about 5". I will keep you posted, but after a few hours, the puffer seems more interested in the hermit crabs and ghost shrimp. He has been unsuccessful in getting to the hermits as well. They retreat into their shells, and he isn't strong enough to break them.

 

[jennybugs]

Good luck!

As far as being able to get things in their mouths, the F8s like many other puffs just take big bites of things to see if they like the taste and don't care if they can't get the whole thing in their jaws or not

I wish my F8s had been that weeny when I got them but mine are much bigger. Hope yours doesn't develop a taste for crab