Red Thai Crabs

[justinp]

I have been sold these type of crabs in the past as fully aquatic crabs, is this true? They have been sold to me as freshwater crabs that do well in brackish, is this true? I have only had luck with two surviving more than a few months, I still have these two and they seem fine (had them for a year now). The others either died quickly or were attacked by my archers who would rip their legs off and leave them to die.

I am wondering about them being fully aquatic because they quite often climb out of the water and rest for hours before going back in...I just would like to give them more dry land if they are not...

Anyone know?

 

[nmonks]

None of the freshwater/brackish water crabs are fully aquatic (as far as I can tell). There are lots of marine crabs sold and these are fully aquatic. CFC has kept hermit crabs (I think) in one of his brackish tanks.

Anyway, the clue with crabs is this: if the body is "tall" and globular, they are likely amphibious. If they are flattened like a pie, then they are aquatic. The amphibious ones are globular because they have space inside the shell for their equivalent of lungs. Amphibious crabs are flat, because they only have regular gills. There are some exceptions, but basically this is a good rule.

Cheers,

Neale

 

[justinp]

Id love to find out what kind of hermit crabs will be good in brackish water, Ive had so many different opinions... Im looking for something that will be ok in sg. 1.016-1.018.

 

[moray]

red thai crabs are usually known as red clawed crabs (Sesarma Bidens), they are brackish crabs (though they are often kept in fresh water - they are more prone to diseases and don't have the same length of life and tend not to get to full potential growth). They do need land, they not only like to go on land (though they do tend to spend most of their time in water), they need land, when they shed the only way their new shell hardens is for them to get out of the water - they are very vulnerable when they are shedding and archers (and most fish) will have a go then - the crabs can't defend themselves at this stage and are easy meat. they are not particularly long lived crabs, often 2 years is about normal, they do best in a species only enviroment with some land, enough space to have territories and "caves" for hiding when they are shedding.

We've got 15 or so blue hermit crabs in 1.012 and they are doing fine, shame they don't crawl about on the glass they are great algae eaters.