Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Equipping the aquarium
• Part 2 of 2: Keeping the crabs
• Warnings
• What do you need
• Additional articles

Luring crabs, also called fiddle crabs, are found along the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. They have a rather bright color, and males are distinguished by an exorbitantly large claw, which looks like a violin. Although alluring crabs are an integral part of their ecosystem, they can also be kept at home. In order for alluring crabs to live normally with you, you need to properly equip an aquarium for them and properly care for them.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Equipping the aquarium

1. 1 Get an aquarium. In the wild, tempting crabs live near water, so try to create a natural environment for them. Purchase an aquarium with a volume of at least 40 liters.
   • The volume of the aquarium should correspond to the number of crabs. For example, if you have no more than four relatively small crabs, a 40 gallon aquarium will do. However, if the crabs are quite large or there are more than four of them, purchase an aquarium with a volume of at least 75 liters so that the animals do not quarrel with each other.
   • Get the largest aquarium you can afford from a pet store or other specialty store. You can also look for a used aquarium, but you will need to wash it thoroughly.
   • Look for an aquarium with a lid, as tempting crabs can scramble up and out of the tank.
2. 2 Set up the aquarium in a warm place. Crabs are more active in warm habitats. However, direct sunlight can kill inviting crabs, so place the aquarium in a warm place out of direct sunlight.
   • Find a place with an air temperature between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. Hang a thermometer on the aquarium if necessary.
   • Make sure that the aquarium is not located near radiators or other heating devices, or in a draft.
3. 3 Add sand to the aquarium. While opinions vary on the amount of sand, keep in mind that alluring crabs are semi-land animals and love to burrow in the sand. Cover the bottom of the tank with at least a few centimeters of sand to keep the crabs comfortable.
   • First, cover the bottom of the aquarium with 4-5 centimeters of sand. Add more sand if you have a lot of crabs or want them to dig deeper.
   • Use aquarium sand, play sand, or bio sand.
   • First, add more sand to one side of the tank and then level it to the desired level.
4. 4 Add water to the aquarium. A little water should be added to the aquarium in order to create conditions for crabs similar to their natural habitat. Place a bowl of water or pour some water directly into the aquarium.
   • Pour 1.5-2 liters of salt water into the aquarium.
   • To make salt water, add 1 gram (½ teaspoon) of sea salt to 1.5-2 liters of dechlorinated water. Remember that chlorine can harm and even kill luring crabs.
   • Choose whether you want to simply pour some water into the bottom of the aquarium, or bury a plastic cup or small bowl so that the water is flush with the sand.
   • Keep in mind that the water should be as clean as possible, as you will be putting food for the crab in it.
   • If sand gets into the water, it can become dark and cloudy. There is nothing wrong with that, as the sand will soon settle.
5. 5 Decorate your aquarium. You can add some decorative elements or plants to it. Tempting crabs love to hide when they are scared or molt, so add some decorative items to your tank to make them feel more comfortable.
   • Add plastic plants or twigs, as tempting crabs often destroy live plants. Perches and driftwood stones work well as they help inviting crabs to get out of the water, which is important for their health.
   • Consider adding some PVC tubing to your aquarium for crabs to climb on and in.Wash the tubes thoroughly before placing them in the aquarium.

Part 2 of 2: Keeping the crabs

1. 1 Take the crabs home. As a rule, these animals are ordered from a pet store. Before you introduce the tempting crabs into your prepared aquarium, transplant them into temporary containers.
   • Use buckets or large bowls filled with salt water as temporary containers.
   • Do not leave crabs in the container used to transport them. Release the animals into temporary containers and empty the water they were in during transport.
   • Keep males and females in separate containers if they arrive in separate containers.
   • Cover the temporary containers to prevent crabs coming out of them.
2. 2 Introduce crabs into the aquarium. Once you have completely prepared your aquarium, you can move the crabs from shipping or other temporary containers to their new home. Although it is possible to place all the alluring crabs in one aquarium at once, take a closer look at them - it is possible that some individuals will behave aggressively, which indicates their inability to live with others.
   • Although enticing crabs often roam and feed in groups, they can behave aggressively towards each other. This behavior rarely results in damage or injury, but if crabs are preventing each other from moving around the tank, it may be worth separating them.
3. 3 Feed the tempting crabs. Most crabs “graze” in the sand all day long. Observe how much your pets are eating and increase the amount if necessary. At the same time, be careful and do not overfeed the animals, as this can lead to water pollution (including ammonia) and an unpleasant odor in the aquarium.
   • When feeding tempting crabs, add one shrimp or two pieces of plankton and a few fish scales daily to your aquarium water.
   • Change your food every few days: add 3 dried frozen red worms, a few fish scales, and a couple of small pieces of seaweed to the aquarium.
   • Keep in mind that adding algae to your aquarium promotes the growth of algae that tempting crabs feed on.
   • Remember that tempting crabs often eat rotting food.
4. 4 Change the water regularly. Fresh dechlorinated salt water is essential for the health of alluring crabs. Refill with fresh water as the water in the aquarium evaporates. If you smell ammonia or the water becomes cloudy, replace both the water and the sand.
   • Remember to add dechlorinated salt water to your aquarium. For salt water, never use regular table salt.
5. 5 Leave molting crabs alone. As they grow, crabs shed their outer skeleton. If you see signs of molting, leave the crab alone as it will be very weak and fragile for a few days.
   • Please note that during the molt period, alluring crabs may seek solitude and do not eat anything.
   • Do not remove from the aquarium the outer shell that the crab has thrown off during molting. It is a source of calcium and the animal will eat it.
   • If any of the relatives interfere with molting crab, move them to temporary containers for the period of molting.
6. 6 Watch for signs of illness. Alluring crabs rarely get sick. However, if the water is not kept clean and the aquarium is not kept at the correct temperature, it can cause illness and death of the crabs.
   • Remember that molting is a healthy and natural process.
   • Don't worry if the crab has lost a leg or claw - they will grow back.
   • An unpleasant odor from the aquarium indicates a water problem. Perhaps a simple water change will make your pets more active.

Warnings

• Make sure that there is always water in the aquarium, as alluring crabs cannot live without it.

What do you need

• Aquarium
• Dried frozen plankton, shrimps, red worms
• Sand
• A small saucer of water
• Decorations for the aquarium (stone, branch, etc.)

Additional articles

How to care for hermit crabs How to properly care for hermit crabs How to care for aquarium crabs How to determine if hermit crab is dead How to play with hermit crab How to redeem your hermit crab How to tell if a hermit crab is sick How to catch a sand crab at sea How to keep a live blue crab How to feed your sand crabs How to care for a crayfish How to understand that your fish is dead How to determine the pregnancy of aquarium fish How to groom a fighting fish with a cockerel in a round aquarium