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Freshwater Crab

Freshwater Crab Care Sheet

Appearance & Behavior | Characteristics | Habitat | Feeding | Care | Supplies | Common Health Issues | FAQs

freshwater crab care sheet

This care sheet covers a variety of crabs, including:

  • Red claw crab
  • Fiddler crab
  • Thai devil crab
  • Checkerboard crab
  • Panther crab
  • Freshwater pom pom crab
  • Matano crab
  • Thai micro spider crab

Overview

Scientific name: Sesarma bidens, Uca vocans, Cardisoma carnifex, Uca perplexa, Parathelphusa pantherina, Ptychognathus barbatus, Parathelphusa ferruginea, Limnopilos naiyanetri

Found in bodies of freshwater, such as rivers and streams, in tropic and subtropic climates, crabs can be an interesting addition to the home aquarium or a species-only aquarium. These small and fascinating scavengers are also escape artists and capable of finding almost any hole in the hood of an aquarium.

Typical appearance and behavior

  • Active, nocturnal (active at night) scavengers; may eat snails
  • Crabs can climb almost any surface, including airline tubing and intake tubes; secure holes in aquarium hood to keep crabs inside
  • All crabs molt as they grow; a crab lying on their back may be molting. Some will feed on their old shell for calcium
  • Some species of crabs live in low brackish levels and will benefit from freshwater salt

Characteristics

Care Difficulty Beginner to advanced, depending on species
Average Life Span Up to 10 years with proper care, depending on species
Average Adult Size ½-5 inches across, depending on species
Diet Omnivore
Minimum Habitat Size 5+ gallons, depending on species
Water Temperature 72-82°F

 

Habitat

Habitat size

Keeping in an appropriate size aquarium of 5+ gallons is recommended for smaller-sized crabs. A larger aquarium is always recommended, as water conditions can change rapidly in smaller water volumes.

 

Building your habitat

A natural behavior of most crabs is to climb out of the water for brief periods of time; their habitat should provide them the ability to climb out of the water. Some species of freshwater crabs are more terrestrial (land-dwelling) and need a habitat mainly comprised of land with access to water.

  • Water health - Provide proper filtration to ensure optimal water quality to help maintain health. Slow to moderate water circulation, based on the species, should be provided to mimic water currents and high oxygen levels found in most freshwater crustaceans’ natural habitat. Stable water quality (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) and water temperature are critical to the health of aquatic life. If you are unsure of your water quality, bring a sample to Petco for free testing. Ensure water temperature does not fluctuate more than +/-2 degrees direction in a 24-hour period
  • Décor - Providing rocks, plants and other décor to create hiding places and areas to scavenge is beneficial

 

What do freshwater crabs eat?

A well-balanced freshwater crab diet consists of:

  • Flakes, freeze-dried, sinking pellets and wafers or frozen food
  • Feed a variety of food to ensure complete nutrition

 

Things to remember when feeding your crab:

  • Feed a small amount once daily
  • Make sure a small amount of food reaches the bottom of the tank; if unsure, drop sinking pellets into the tank at night; alternate protein and algae-based pellets
  • Thaw frozen food before feeding
  • Feed a variety of food to ensure complete nutrition

 

Freshwater crab care

Maintaining great water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration is important to help keep your freshwater crabs healthy

  • Daily: Check filter, water temperature and other equipment
  • Weekly: Test water quality at least once a week
  • Weekly to monthly: Change 10 to 25% of the total volume of water every two to four weeks or as needed. Change filter media monthly

Avoid overcrowded conditions, as this is a major cause of stress and disease

Crabs need calcium to grow their shells

Copper-based medications are toxic to crabs

 

Where to buy freshwater crabs

A variety of freshwater crabs are available for purchase at your local Petco Pet Care Center location. Please call ahead to check availability.

 

Supplies

 

Tank mates

No more than one crab per square foot is recommended. Male crabs can be very territorial

Do not keep with fish who will harass or eat them, such as certain cichlids. May catch and eat small fish, dwarf African frogs, snails and other tank mates who live or sleep on the bottom of the tank

Depending on the crab species, may be compatible with:

 

Health

Signs of a healthy freshwater crab

  • Active scavenging
  • Healthy appearance
  • Bright, even coloring
  • No missing appendages

 

Common health issues

Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action
Health IssueLoss of appendage Symptoms or CausesFighting between crabs or due to an aggressive fish. Suggested ActionWill usually regenerate. An iodine supplement can help with the molting process. Contact your local aquatic specialist or veterinarian.
Health IssueBody or surface erosion Symptoms or CausesPoor water quality; nutrient deficiency. Suggested ActionTest and treat water immediately; maintain proper diet.
Health IssueLittle is known about diseases that affect crabs; as long as environmental conditions and food are adequate; crabs are fairly resistant to disease.

 

FAQs

What do freshwater crabs eat? Freshwater crabs benefit from a varied diet consisting of flakes, freeze-dried, sinking pellets and wafers or frozen food.

How do you set up a freshwater crab tank? Make sure you have an aquarium that is large enough for the species of freshwater crab you are housing and that it has a secure lid, as freshwater crabs can climb and possibly escape. Some species of freshwater crabs are more terrestrial (land-dwelling) and need a habitat mainly comprised of land with access to water while others prefer an aquatic environment with access to get out of the water onto land. Provide rocks, plants and other décor to create hiding places to help your crab feel secure. Adequate filtration, proper temperature and good water quality are a must

What size tank does a freshwater crab need? The aquarium size for a freshwater crab will vary based on the species, with the smallest, the Thai micro spider crab, being able to be housed in a 5-plus-gallon aquarium. Providing the largest aquarium possible is recommended.

Will a freshwater crab eat my fish? Freshwater crabs who are housed in a large enough aquarium and are well fed may not actively go after other aquatic life inhabitants, however, caution should always be taken, as they may attempt to consume small or slower fish, dwarf frogs and snails.

What is the biggest freshwater crab? One of the bigger freshwater crabs is the Thai devil crab.

What is the smallest freshwater crab? The Thai micro spider crab is the smallest freshwater crab, measuring just ½ inch.

Do freshwater crabs need air? While some species of freshwater crabs can live fully submerged in water, most prefer to climb out of the water for brief periods of time and should be provided an area where they can get out of the water.

 

Notes and resources

Ask a Pet Care Center associate about Petco's selection of products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.

Because all aquatic life are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as atypical mycobacterium and salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your aquatic life or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease.

Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physician before purchasing or caring for aquatic life and should consider not having aquatic life as a pet.

Go tocdc.gov/healthypets for more information about aquatic life and disease.

 

The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, please contact your veterinarian as appropriate.

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