Saltwater Crabs
A Quick Guide to Saltwater Crabs
One of the most popular marine specimens to have in a tank these days is the saltwater crab, along with many other exotic species. There was a time when those that kept tanks preferred the freshwater tanks because they were considered easier to care for than a saltwater tank, but today more and more people are making the switch to a saltwater aquarium because the possibilities are endless when it comes to fish and other species to populate the tank.
Saltwater crabs are one of the most popular species to add to a saltwater tank, due to the fact that they are entertaining to watch, plus they help to keep your tank clean. To care for the saltwater crabs you will first need to setup a tank for them, if you don’t already have one ready.
When you first set up your saltwater tank you will want to let it cycle for three or four weeks before adding your saltwater crabs. The reason for this is that when a tank is first setup it has to become stable; after a period of time the tank will naturally have the good bacteria that it needs to keep the water stable and healthy enough to support marine life. Having a tank that has had a chance to stabilize is especially important with crabs and shrimp, as well as some other types of exotic species.
You will also need to ensure that you have good filtration for the tank before you introduce your saltwater crabs. The best type of filter to use for the saltwater tank is an under gravel filter; this type of filter is best for taking waste out of the water but you will need to use it in combination with a powerful pump.
To ensure that the water quality is good in the tank before adding your saltwater crabs you will need to buy a water testing kit from the store. With this kit you can test the water quality to ensure that it is good enough to support marine life. If there are any problems it is best to spot them before you add your crabs and other fish to the water.
When you first introduce your saltwater crabs to the tank you will need to keep a close eye on them. Although they tend to get along well with most tank mates due to the fact that their pincers provide them with good protection against aggression, there could be some problems.
Feeding saltwater crabs is very easy. All you will need to do is add a little more food than what you normally would when feeding your other fish. The crabs will move along the bottom of the tank, eating all of the food that accumulates. This is the reason why these crabs are so good to have in a tank; they do a wonderful job of helping you keep your tank clean.
The one important thing you will need to add to your tank for your saltwater crabs are a few large seashells. Crabs molt and shed their shell as they outgrow it; when they do this they like to go into hiding in the seashells. If they don’t have a proper place to molt they won’t do it and this could lead to harmful problems for your crabs.
Saltwater crabs are a great addition to a tank, they are fun to watch and they really do a lot for creating an undersea scene, plus they will clean your tank. If you are looking for species to liven up your saltwater tank, crabs are a perfect choice.