Fiddler Crabs....

[jennln]

I ordered two red mithrax crabs and recieved what I *believe* are actually two red fiddler crabs. They certainly aren't mithrax and after pictures were sent back to where they were ordered from they confirmed that I was correct that they were not mithrax and are apparently resending a correct replacement. In the interim I'm left with these two fiddlers that they don't want returned and my son has decided he wants to try to keep. Now if I'm understanding this correctly they need to have an area of rock (or is sand preferred?) that extends above the water line so they can get out of the water from time to time? From what I've been reading it seems they also prefer brackish water? The water they were sent in had a salinity of .022 so that's what I used in their temporary home, but if I need to dilute that more I can easily do so...just didn't want to lower it too much since it kind of goes against everything I've ever learned about inverts. Kind of confused on that one. If anyone knows anything more about these little guys or has kept them in the past, I could really use some input as to their proper care. Thanks!

 

[jennln]

Oh and a concrete confirmation that what I have are fiddlers would also be appreciated. There are two of them...one is red and one is a dark orange/red. Their shells and legs are a completely smooth texture. Their bellies are a deep blue/purple. There eyes are on "stalks" (for lack of the correct word to use here). Their front claws are both the same size - there isn't a larger claw that seems to be the trademark of the fiddler crab, but through reading it seems that that could just mean I have two females?

 

[tonysi]

I'm pretty sure you described the same kind of crabs I used to have.If they are then you will need some way for them to get out of the water to get air.I had them in my nano, they chilled in the back on top of the sponge that I had in there.They usally ate whatever was laying around in the tank.

 

[peasofme]

i've seen these sold as red reef crabs and sand crabs. if they are the bright candy apple red ones i'm thinking of. with two small claws. i had one but it died in like a day. i couldn't find any info on their care. dunno if something killed it or what. i don't think i had something going out of the water for him though. he was in a tank with damsels and emeralds so i'm thinking they could've killed him. he seemed pretty wimpy with his two small claws.
btw. do you have any more info/care tips on them? what are compatible with them? are they reef safe? etc. thanks

 

[jennln]

Originally Posted by peasofme
http:///forum/post/3165173
btw. do you have any more info/care tips on them? what are compatible with them? are they reef safe? etc. thanks
Wish I did...that's what I was hoping for here. I am 99% sure that they are fiddlers based on what I've been able to find online, but I wouldn't be surprised if I was wrong either

So far they have not attempted to climb up out of the water once, even though I have provided ample opportunity. They seem to prefer to burrow in the sand underneath the rocks. I took a picture of the one since he was out and about...this is the darker orange one, you can see the red one in the background most of which is under the sand.

 

[soviettaco]

I have two of these fiddlers, they are aquatic. They do not go up to the surface to breathe. Pretty fun little critters to watch. They will bury themselves in the sand, and can spend a lot of time doing so.