My son wans to keep crabs

[Kheong]

Dear all

I would like to set up a crab tank for my 9 year old son.

Would like to seek inputs on what type of tank setup, what breed of crabs for starter, what to look out for, smelly anot, etc.

I know there are tons of info on the net, but would like to get real feedback from people i know exist and nearer to home.

Appreciate your help. Thanks.

[Clamence]

I suggest getting a vampire crab or red claw crab, these crab stay small good for smaller tanks easiest way i find to setup their tank is to have a shallow water with a filter and make some land area by stackin wood/rocks or sloping gravel, this way is the cleanest and there will not be any smell if u keep the water clean, which can be easily done as u should only house one crab. Do not disturb the crab too much as it needs to get used to its surroundings, hence u may have to explain to ur son that this isnt a pet where u can take out and play, more like something to admire. Goodluck

[Kheong]

Thanks Clamence. Keeping more than 1 crab per tank is not encouraged? How does one clean the tank and substrate? Do you have to remove crab, clean out everything, then put crab back?


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[lucas_1957]

Yea vampire crab is best in my opinion. Second best is red claw crab or red apple crab. In my experience, you can keep about 2-3 vampire crabs in a 1 feet tank (depending on how you scape) or 2 red claw crabs or 2 red apple crabs in a 1 feet tank.

You do not have to clean the tank actually, just put more plants to absorb the waste and remember to top up water.

As for the setup, you can do a half land half water setup or a land setup with water bowl (good for vampire crabs and red apple crabs).

[Kheong]

How do you handle the crabs when required? Tongs? Hand with glove?

[Jabby]

Originally Posted by Kheong

How do you handle the crabs when required? Tongs? Hand with glove?

I see my cousins handling the crab with those non metallic tongs, those rubber kind if you know what I am referring to.

[ultrakiasu]

Static water is bad for crabs, try to install a external canister filter and create a water flow effect. Keep water level low by having some above water objects.

Rock and rough objects is necessary, as crabs molts when their body grew larger, and they need something to assist to scrap off old shell.

[lucas_1957]

Originally Posted by Kheong

How do you handle the crabs when required? Tongs? Hand with glove?

You can corner them in a plastic container, or use gloves. Actually you can just use bare hands if you catch them properly.

[Clamence]

With more than one crab in a small tank, chance are, the one that moulted will get killed by the others as it has a soft shell and need time for it to harden

[Kheong]

I see. Thanks for all enlightenment.