Calico crab

[Ocicat]

I was in Beldt's yesterday, and they had a beautiful, blue and white crab labelled as a calico crab. I have never heard of that... Is anyone familiar with them? I know some crabs are fish killers.

 

[saltyunderground]

The size of the crab and their pinchers, the fact that no online stores carry them and that the best invert books don't discuss them suggests to me that they are not appropriate for home aquariums unless housed by themselves.

 

[partymarty]

calico crabs are great for aggressive tanks medium to large fish

 

[saltyunderground]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7883297#post7883297 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by partymarty
calico crabs are great for aggressive tanks medium to large fish

Hey Marty, what are they great for? Do they serve any good purpose (algae eaters) or just for fun?

 

[JxMetal]

They do a great job of taking care of the little fish that you don't want anymore! :lol:

 

[inwall75]

Calico (AKA lady crabs or spotted swimming crabs) are interesting to watch. Most crabs that we keep don't swim around in the water column.

With that said, any small fish, smaller crabs, and clams are on the menu. They are quite skilled when hunting. Additionally, you can only keep one of these specimens. During molts, they canibalize each other when their exoskeleton hasn't hardened yet. They are also quite mean and they WILL pinch you if you frighten it.