Red Crabs

[Crab Domain]

Hello,
I'm new to this forum but have been reading, taking advice and following it for a few months. I recently have become interested in getting freshwater crabs. I've looked at Red Claw Crabs , Fiddler Crabs and after my visit to my LFS, Red Crabs. And I've become very interested in these "Red Crabs" as my LFS has them named. Now I've searched these guys on google and the only results i could find are the Red Claw Crabs and the Red Crabs from Christmas Island. And they don't look anything like either from my point of view. So this morning i went back to my LFS to get some pictures of these guys. I want to ask you guys if you have any idea of an ID or any other useful information on them, Thx.

And sorry in advance for the quality of the pictures, but please try your best to help me ID them. Thx again.

 

[Crab Domain]

 

[severum boy]

From what I can see, they look like Red Claw Crabs to me.

 

[poopsydrew]

yes and they are not truly freshwater. They need brackish water to survive for a long period of time. They need a sg (specific gravity) of 1.002-1.010. Also, they need sand. Both of these things are a must. And obviously they need some land to go on. People say it is best to get 3 females per 1 male, however, i have 2 males and 2 females and have not noticed aggression. You will also need a small filter and heater for the water just like fish. Hope that helps...just remeber
-Brackish water (almost every lfs sells them as "freshwater") ~1.002-1.010
-Sand
-half water/half beach, filter, heater.

Good luck,

Drew

 

[Crab Domain]

Are you guys sure those are Red Claws, I'm looking at the two and I c differences. Red Claw Crabs claws are thicker (fatter) while, I'm not sure if u guys can see it from the photos but they have thinner claws. And again I'm not sure if u can tell in the photos, these guys abdomen seems to be flatter than Red Claws. Maybe you have seen different views of Red Claws since you have them drew but im not sold on these guys being Red Claws. Another thought maybe Red Claws look like this, with the thinner claws when they are young, therefore are these guys younger Red Claws? And another difference I found was the way Red Claws hold their claws, they are usually pointed down in the pictures i have seen while these guys hold them horizontal. Although since you guys probably have seen more of Red Claws than I have, do they permanantly hold their claws pointed down (except of course when they are feeding, etc). Again thank you for your time guys.

 

[poopsydrew]

Are you guys sure those are Red Claws, I'm looking at the two and I c differences. Red Claw Crabs claws are thicker (fatter) while, I'm not sure if u guys can see it from the photos but they have thinner claws. And again I'm not sure if u can tell in the photos, these guys abdomen seems to be flatter than Red Claws. Maybe you have seen different views of Red Claws since you have them drew but im not sold on these guys being Red Claws. Another thought maybe Red Claws look like this, with the thinner claws when they are young, therefore are these guys younger Red Claws? And another difference I found was the way Red Claws hold their claws, they are usually pointed down in the pictures i have seen while these guys hold them horizontal. Although since you guys probably have seen more of Red Claws than I have, do they permanantly hold their claws pointed down (except of course when they are feeding, etc). Again thank you for your time guys.

Hello,
Yes, that was a question of mine aswell. As I understand it there are at least two different species of red clawed crabs. I figured he had the ones that I dont. There isnt too much info on this on the web however. Regardless my main concern was the brackish water and sand before you buy them. I am willing to bet if they were sold in a lfs they are brackish crabs. I am not sure I know of any crabs that do better in freshwater than brackish. So to answer your question, I think it might be a certain species of red claw or maybe you are correct and it is something totally different. Either way, I think we can both agree on the brackish water, sand/beach, filter, and heater. Also mine do seem to keep their claws pointed down. You have a good point and to be honest I am not 100 percent, but I am betting they are red claws.

Sincerely,

Drew

Edit-Grammar

 

[Crab Domain]

Alrite thanks drew, I can see them being a different species of Red Claws as a plausible solution. And yes I do agree with you about their requirements. I am thinking off getting these guys and if I find anything different from seeing them closer (I might be able to get a better picture as well) I'll let you know. Thanks

 

[poopsydrew]

Alrite thanks drew, I can see them being a different species of Red Claws as a plausible solution. And yes I do agree with you about their requirements. I am thinking off getting these guys and if I find anything different from seeing them closer (I might be able to get a better picture as well) I'll let you know. Thanks

Sounds good, let us know how it goes.

Drew

 

[Crab Domain]

I was just checking, but what equipment will these guys need. I know they will need a filter but what about a heater? And if there is anything else I should get plz let me know, Thanks.

 

[poopsydrew]

I was just checking, but what equipment will these guys need. I know they will need a filter but what about a heater? And if there is anything else I should get plz let me know, Thanks.

heres a checklist
-Heater (can be underwater or undertank/undergravel)
-Filter
-Sand
-Marine Salt
-Hydrometer
-completelty covered hood so they cant escape
-If you want a beach are you will need rocks or something hard to slope the sand and keeping it from becoming level.
-Bogwood and/or stick and twigs that provide protection, have them poking out of the water as well. (this looks spectacular too!)
-some fake plants or some java fern again for hiding and molting.
-Air pump and airline obviously if it is a sponge filter (it is hard to use a Hang on back filter with these guys since its half water, the water falls 5 inches, makes a huge splash and stirs up sand.)
-Of course the basic obvious stuff as well but I might as well put in inechlorinator, thermometer, lighting, food for the crabs (they will eat pretty much anything, I find sinking shrimp pellets are best)

Ok, I think I covered most of the necessetites, of course, you may want to add more decore and stuff, such as small river stones which looks nice when scattered on white sand. I am sure I will think of another thing and add it so check back. If I missed anything someone chime in. Hope that helps.

Drew

 

[poopsydrew]

Did you ever get the crabs?

Drew

 

[Crab Domain]

Yes, I did. Sry bout the non-posting. I got them yesterday and from seeing them closer they seem to be similar to a fiddler crab. The males have 1 large claw and 1 small claw while the females have 2 small claws. I have them in a 20 gallon long with 1 side having a sloping beach and over on the other side an "underwater shelf". I wanted them to have a place where they could relax and while being wet still have their eyes and the top of their abdomen out of the water. Also on this side i have 3 pieces of vine-like wood which I arranged in an order where they have a mangrove root appearance. I have a heater, underwater filter, hydrometer, marine salt and various rocks to give them sumtin to put their backs to. O, and i have them on sand as well.

 

[J4MES]

Sounds Good, any Pics?