can a horshoe crab swim???

[ryaneisenhart]

Hi all,

So i bought a horshoe crab last saturday(about an inch and a half big) and he has been doing fine in the tank. He likes to dig his shell in sand and hide, the normal stuff from them. However, I come home from work today and he's swimming at the top upside down. He's basically propelling his legs and body together in a motion that allows him to swim. For the past two hours, hes just kind of been swimming around the tank upside down from the bottom to the top. Is there something wrong with him or is this just something I didnt know they could do??? I find it strange that he hasn't done this for the first 4 days I've had him, and now he is doing it all night.

i didnt get any responses in anothing forum, so im trying here.
Any help would be great! Thanks!!!

 

[bryan007]

Hey Ryan,

Yes they do this. I've had them in the past and they all did this odd swimming behavour. IMO I think it was becuase there was not enough food for it and was looking for an escapre route. I say not enough food becuase before I read up on them I found out they are not scavengers but rather feed on bethnic creatures that inhabit the sandy shoals they live in up and down the Atlantic. Small organisms such as crabs, copepods, and other crustaceans are part of their normal diet. You could try to place small pieces of mysis or krill in the sand near him when he is in the sand but I'm afraid unless you have a large pod poplulation in the tank or can get it too eat frozen shrimp, etc it probably won't make it. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but at least you wouldn't be tempted to get another one if it dies. Then again you might be lucky and he does but realize it can grow to over 18" inches in lenght.

Scott

 

[ryaneisenhart]

Yea I know they definately get very big. Well Ill try some krill and see if it will eat that. I definately didnt know that about their eating habits.

Thanks for the advise!!