Unwanted Red Crabs (possibly Red Claw)

[Glen1980]

I have been browsing this forum for the last few weeks when I came across this thread http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/28975-red-clawed-crab/
I have been sold a Red Crab (although it may be a red claw crab as the claws are redder than the rest of it.) I set up my first tropical freshwaater aquarium back in July and the local fish shop has been a great assistance until 4 weeks ago when I went in and was served by a different shop assistant who sold me two of these crabs, so far they haven't attacked the fish other than the other day when I saw them chase the Ancistrus off of a pleco disk. Now I have read the above link I don't think it is fair on the fish or the crabs to be in a freshwater tank so I have two questions.

1) How can I keep the crabs healthily in ice cream tubs with tank water until I can find someone to take them, should I add cooking salt (it's all I have). They are in separate tubs and I have canted the tubs so they have a bit a dry 'land' to go onto. I have chucked half a pleco disc into each tub to feed them and I have put air holes on the tubs. Due to work and opening times I won't be able to get back to the shop until next Saturday.

2) Does anyone in the Herts/Essex area want two Red (clawed) crabs for their Brackish tanks? Free of charge, they deserve a good home!

Glen

 

[Thedoctor]

You can't put all the blame onto the fish shop - You shouldn't buy anything from a fish shop that you haven't adequately researched yourself.

Don't put cooking salt in them - Do some online research and keep them at the right temperature or even better - take them back to the shop or donate them to another fish shop - You should accept a loss on these in the interest of the fish and learn a lesson from this - I call it idiot tax.

 

[raptorrex]

I have been browsing this forum for the last few weeks when I came across this thread http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/28975-red-clawed-crab/
I have been sold a Red Crab (although it may be a red claw crab as the claws are redder than the rest of it.) I set up my first tropical freshwaater aquarium back in July and the local fish shop has been a great assistance until 4 weeks ago when I went in and was served by a different shop assistant who sold me two of these crabs, so far they haven't attacked the fish other than the other day when I saw them chase the Ancistrus off of a pleco disk. Now I have read the above link I don't think it is fair on the fish or the crabs to be in a freshwater tank so I have two questions.

1) How can I keep the crabs healthily in ice cream tubs with tank water until I can find someone to take them, should I add cooking salt (it's all I have). They are in separate tubs and I have canted the tubs so they have a bit a dry 'land' to go onto. I have chucked half a pleco disc into each tub to feed them and I have put air holes on the tubs. Due to work and opening times I won't be able to get back to the shop until next Saturday.

2) Does anyone in the Herts/Essex area want two Red (clawed) crabs for their Brackish tanks? Free of charge, they deserve a good home!

Glen

ok if you have a container. oh i dont know about, 12 inches long by 6 or 8 inches wide and 8 inches deep.

put a good handful of gravel at one end,(make sure its well above the water line) then put 3 inches of water in. (use Marine salt) about 5PPT
you will need to heat the water, or just put it in an airing cupboard. adding a light above, will give a decent temp when the crabs are on land. (which is most of the time.)
I'd do 100% daily water changes too.

I'd love to take em, but am in Leicester and cant drive (any more)

whilst i agree with the jist of Thedoctors comments, i was caught out myself, on first buying crabs. so know how you feel
though i agree you can't "rely" on the info given by LFS, you should be able to. (9after all if you bought a car that ran on diesel, and you were told it ran on petrol, you would be rightly upset. i see no difference here.)
so i stand by you in blaming the LFS, but agreeing you must share part of the blame.

 

[luke21]

The classic fish shop lie haha how big is your crab they can live pretty well ina tropical tank for suprisingly long ive had mine about 6 months now but had to change tanks recently as he found a good hiding spot to wait for fish and caught 2 of my platys.