Crabs can make interesting and unique pets. There are a few different types of crabs that do well in captivity and make good pets. The most common crabs kept as pets are hermit crabs, fiddler crabs, and freshwater crabs.
Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs are among the most popular types of pet crabs. These small crabs have soft abdomens that they protect by living in empty seashells. In the wild, hermit crabs live on tropical shorelines. As pets, they require special care to recreate their natural environment.
The two most common hermit crab species kept as pets are:
- Purple Pincher Crabs (Coenobita clypeatus)
- Ecuadorian Crabs (Coenobita compressus)
Hermit crabs need the following habitat setup and care:
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With proper care, hermit crabs can live 2-5 years or longer in captivity. They are solitary pets but can be housed together.
Fiddler Crabs
Fiddler crabs get their name from the male crab’s large asymmetrical claw that resembles a fiddle. These small semiterrestrial crabs are found along beaches and brackish waters. There are over 100 species of fiddler crabs, but only a few make suitable pets.
Some fiddler crab species kept as pets include:
- Red Claw Fiddler Crab (Uca minax)
- Gelasimus Crabs (Uca spp.)
- Mangrove Crabs (Uca spp.)
Fiddler crabs require the following habitat setup:
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Fiddler crabs are social and should be housed in groups of at least 5-6 crabs. They are active scavengers that need a varied diet and frequent tank cleaning. With proper setup and care, fiddler crabs can live 2-3 years.
Freshwater Crabs
There are a number of freshwater crab species that can be kept as pets. These include:
- Red cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
- Vampire crabs (Geosesarma spp.)
- Thai devil crabs (Ceylonthelphusa krattensis)
- Panther crabs (Parathelphusa pantherina)
Freshwater crabs need the following aquarium setup:
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These crabs should be fed an omnivorous diet that includes algae wafers, vegetables, insects, and calcium-rich foods. With proper care, most freshwater crabs live 1-2 years. They can be kept alone or in small groups depending on the species.
Other Pet Crab Considerations
While hermit crabs, fiddler crabs, and small freshwater crabs make good pets, there are a few types of crabs that don’t do well in captivity:
- Large crabs like blue crabs, stone crabs, and king crabs
- Land crabs like coconut crabs and terrestrial hermit crabs
- Anemone crabs that have a symbiotic relationship with anemones
- Spider crabs that need to camouflage with materials in their environment
These crabs require very intricate environments impossible to recreate in home aquariums. They are also often collected directly from reefs causing environmental concerns.
When selecting a pet crab, always choose captive bred specimens from reputable sellers. Avoid capturing crabs from the wild whenever possible. With proper habitat setup, nutrition, and care, crabs can make fascinating pets!
Conclusion
Hermit crabs, fiddler crabs, and small freshwater crab species make the best pet crabs for beginners. They are relatively small in size and have straightforward habitat and care requirements compared to other crabs. Be sure to research the specific care needs of any crab species you are interested in before bringing one home as a pet. With good husbandry, hermit crabs can live over 5 years, fiddler crabs 2-3 years, and freshwater crabs 1-2 years.