How Long Do Fiddler Crabs Live?

[iliveinazoo]

2 and a half years ago we bought a male and a female fiddler crab to go into our barbarus mudskipper tank which was a silly mistake and we bought them a new tank after they were attacked and both lost most of their limbs and one claw each. The female died not long after but the male went from strength to strength.
I thought that he was probably nearing the end because he had not molted in a while but he suprised me about 3 weeks ago when he molted again.

The heater appears to have stuck to 'on' but the temperature couldn't have exceeded 29 degC - I know this because following the death on Friday night I monitored the temperature of the tank all day Saturday and Sunday.

Is this a good age for a fiddler or should he have lasted a few years yet?

 

[nmonks]

Sounds to me you did well, so I wouldn't worry too much. Lifespan is only 2-4 years in the wild anyway, and the specimens you buy in pet stores are probably a year old.

And yes, P. barbarus eats fiddler crabs, so that wasn't a great combo!

Cheers, Neale

 

[iliveinazoo]

Thanks Neale.