Fiddler crabs are some of our favorite crabs to keep in our aquariums. Distinguished by their one noticeably larger claw, fiddler crabs are small, active, and low-maintenance crustaceans making them great additions to your aquarium. Despite their pet store displays, Fiddler crabs need the ability to come out of the water and get some fresh air.
Yes, Fiddler Crabs and other semiaquatic crabs breathe air. This means in your tank set up you will need to provide dry land for your crabs.
There are a variety of ways to provide dry land for your crabs including our Underwater Island Habitats.
How to Provide Land for your Fiddler Crabs.
As I've mentioned, Fiddler crabs do breathe air and therefore need access to dry land. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways that we will discuss here.
1.Underwater Island Habitats
The first way is with one of our Underwater Island Habitats. These habitats provide dry land in full aquariums for amphibians such as crabs, newts, frogs, and turtles. They work by creating a biosphere that when pressurized with air from a standard aquarium air pump, provide a safe, enclosed, dry land for you fiddler crabs.
The Pros of these underwater islands is that they can work with your existing aquarium. There is no need to completely redesign your aquarium to house fiddler crabs. Simply place one of our underwater islands into your existing substrate and provide a air supply and now you have dry land for your crabs.
2. Paludarium
The second option for dry land for your crabs is to provide a paludarium. A paludarium is a type of aquarium that incorporates both terrestrial and aquatic elements. a common way to design a paludarium for Fiddler crabs is to make your aquarium into a beach, with a gradually decline into the water.
While this is a great way to ensure your fiddler crabs have dry air to breathe, it does come with sacrificing usable space in your aquarium. The more dry land you attempt to build up the less water space you will have for your other aquarium pets. Basically your fish will have less area to swim in.
3. Decorations
The last option for providing dry land for crabs is by using decorations. You may have seen this done at pet store. They simply place a decoration that is tall enough to poke out of the water so that the crabs can climb up and get there air.
while this certainly will allow the crabs to get their much needed air, it tends to not provide much surface area for your crabs. This can cause problems when you want to have more than one male fiddler crab.
Pros and Cons of Keeping a Fiddler Crab
Keeping a fiddler crab as a pet can be an interesting and rewarding experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some pros and cons:
Pros:
Fascinating Behavior: Fiddler crabs are known for their entertaining behavior, including waving their large claws and digging in the substrate. Watching their antics can be quite enjoyable.
Low Maintenance: Fiddler crabs are generally low-maintenance pets, requiring minimal care compared to some other types of pets. They don't need as much attention or interaction as mammals or birds.
Unique Appearance: With their distinctive oversized claws and colorful bodies, fiddler crabs make for visually appealing pets. They can add an interesting touch to an aquarium or vivarium setup.
Educational Value: Keeping fiddler crabs as pets can provide educational opportunities, especially for children, teaching them about aquatic habitats, animal behavior, and responsible pet care.
Easy to Feed: Fiddler crabs are omnivores and will readily accept a variety of foods, including commercial crab pellets, algae wafers, frozen or live foods like brine shrimp or bloodworms, and even some vegetables.
Cons:
Specific Habitat Requirements: Fiddler crabs have specific habitat requirements, including a brackish water environment with access to both land and water areas. Setting up and maintaining the appropriate habitat can be challenging and requires research and investment in equipment. A solution to this problem can be solved with any one of our underwater island habitats
Aggressive Behavior: Male fiddler crabs can be territorial and may exhibit aggressive behavior towards each other, especially if kept in close quarters. It's essential to provide enough space and hiding spots to minimize aggression.
Potential Escape Artists: Fiddler crabs are known to be proficient climbers and may attempt to escape from their enclosure if not properly secured. This means ensuring tight-fitting lids or covers on the aquarium or vivarium.
Limited Interaction: While watching fiddler crabs can be entertaining, they do not provide the same level of interaction or companionship as some other pets, such as dogs or cats. They are primarily observational pets.
Short Lifespan: Fiddler crabs have relatively short lifespans compared to some other pets, typically living for around 2-3 years in captivity. This means that owners may need to be prepared for the eventual loss of their pet within a relatively short period.
Overall, while keeping a fiddler crab as a pet can be rewarding for those willing to meet their specific needs, it's essential to carefully consider the pros and cons before deciding to bring one into your home.