keeping fiddler crabs/ red clawed crabs in the aquarium

[jpize]

As you may or may not know red clawed crabs are actually terrestrial inverts as they need access to a terrestrial environment. If you are like me and have a community tank it is not possible to create a terrestrial environment above the water column. I have found a way to recreate a terrestrial environment under the water column in my tank. What I have done is taken a vase that can be bought almost anywhere and filled it with gravel and a large rock for my crabs to sit on. Then what I did was take an aerator and brought the tube into the vase to add oxygen to the vase. If you do this correctly the vase will be half filled with air and the remaining will slowly drip out to the surface. My crabs enjoy going into this environment to regain full oxygen capacity before heading back out into my 55 gallon planted aquarium. They feed and explore the tank while my fish completely leave them alone. I have had my crabs for about 2 months and they have molted twice, showing that they are getting adequate nutrition. I have posted some pictures of my completed project. If you have any questions let me know!

 

[authmal]

You've had crabs for two months? :jaw-dropping: They make a salve for that. :evil_lol:

On serious notes, looks like your red serpae is missing some school mates, or they're hiding off camera. More importantly, crabs are risky in a community tank. You never know when they're going to grab that fish as it's going by, especially that angel.

 

[jpize]

I thought this at first too, but I have not had any incidents with them. There is so much room in the tank that they very rarely come close to one another.

 

[qwe123]

I've been meaning to do a similar thing in one of my tanks and I'm glad to have finally come across someone else with this idea.
Can you see inside, or is it as foggy as the pictures?

 

[jpize]

I've been meaning to do a similar thing in one of my tanks and I'm glad to have finally come across someone else with this idea.
Can you see inside, or is it as foggy as the pictures?

What you actually see in the pictures is a bit of algae on it and a reflection from the light. I usually have to clean algae off once a month but other than that its perfectly clear inside. Also, every once and awhile I fill it completely with water to get and water moisture off of the inside.

 

[jpize]

What you are seeing there is actually algae build up on the glass and also some glare from the light. I have to clean the glass about once a month and I take the air out every couple weeks to get any excess moisture out.