Marine Crabs
Everything you ever wanted to know about marine crabs
There are over 6,000 different species of crabs, although only a fraction of those are true marine crabs. In fact, hermit crabs aren’t actually true crabs because they are more closely related to the crayfish. Marine crabs can be classified into 16 different families. Most true marine crabs have very flat bodies and are closely related to the shrimp. Crabs can range in size from less than one inch across up to a foot across.
Marine crabs can be found all over the world, and they make a great addition to any aquarium. You’ve just got to be very careful what type of marine crabs you put in your tank because some of them can be very destructive or aggressive. For example, the 711 crab is a beautiful and unique-looking crab that has seven reddish dots on its back. The dots sometimes can appear to be a dark brown color also. The 711 crab is native to the Pacific Ocean, especially around Hawaii. It has very strong pinchers and extremely strong armor and tends to mow through any decorations you might put in the tank. This behavior means it will knock over any rocks or plants you have in the tank.
However, not all marine crabs are as destructive as the 711 crab. In fact, you might find that crabs like the Emerald Mithrax Crab can be very helpful inside your aquarium. This crab is only about two inches across, and it eats algae, which means it will keep your tank clean.
Most varieties of marine crabs will eat just about anything you put in your tank, but it’s important to read up on the specific type of crab you purchase. Some crabs are mostly herbivores, which means they prefer plants. On the other hand, other types of marine crabs prefer meat, so it’s important to offer the right kind of food to your crabs. You should also keep in mind that some of the more aggressive types of marine crabs may start attacking and eating your fish.
Another thing to keep in mind if you decide to purchase crabs for your aquarium is that there are both freshwater and saltwater varieties. The freshwater varieties, in particular, are excellent escape artists, so you should make sure the lid on your tank fits tightly in place. You should also make sure that the marine crabs you purchase will be a good fit for your tank by checking what the optimum temperature is for each specific type of crab.
You should also remember that some crabs require a lot of material in the bottom of the tank so they can burrow. Others don’t really need the extra material to burrow in, so again, this is very specific to the type of marine crabs that you buy.
Caring for marine crabs in your aquarium is a great experience that changes the way you see your tank. Crabs generally live very well with fish, and they add a lot of variety to your tank, whether it’s freshwater or saltwater.