Feeding fiddler crabs (I am cheap)

[schaadrak]

I live about two minutes from a salt marsh with tons of fiddler crabs running around. If I get a mantis, couldn't I just drop one of them in the tank every couple of days? I might try to snag a few mussels, too, if they're okay to give.

 

[Gonodactylus]

As long as the marsh isn't heavily polluted and the crabs aren't loaded with toxins and heavly metals, they should make good food for most larger gonodactylids. Assuming a standard sized crab with a 1 inch carapace width, a 4 inch O. scyllarus or very large G. chiragra should be able to consume it. A 2-5 -3 inch Neogonodactylus can kill and partially eat a crab this size, but it wount be able to finish it. You should remove uneaten pieces promptly. Also, don't put in the tank the large claws of males. The stomatopod won't ususally eat them and old cuticle hanging around greatly adds to the phosphate in the the system and ultimately to algal problems. Whenever you feed crustaceans with strong shells, it is a good idea to remove as much cuticle as possible after each feeding.

Roy

 

[schaadrak]

I'll definately check the toxicity of the water first. I also just remembered that I have a 6' casting net, so I might be able to get some shrimp and killifish as well. That'll be about $20 a month I can remove from my Stomapod budget.

 

[Msby12]

i'd like to add to only put in one crab at a time, i put in a few into my mantis tank, and when he molted he was eaten by the crabs...

 

[thor32766]

good advice msby

 

[Thurge]

Wise advice. I had a small hitchhiker gorilla that killed a much larger N.wennera.

 

[Dave Legacy]

Are most crabs a risk to a stomatopod when it molts? I was thinking about putting a few sally lightfoot crabs in with my 5" L. maculata, but maybe that's a bad idea!

 

[schaadrak]

I think I'll have a time limit of two days for any crabs in that tank. Anyone still alive 48 hrs after introduction gets tossed into the pond behind my house.

On a side note, I noticed the PetSmart down the street selling fiddlers for about $4.00 . I don't know if they're the same species or not, but they have almost the exact coloration. The free ones are slightly darker than the PetSmart ones, but that could be due to diet or lighting.

 

[Dave Legacy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7920126#post7920126 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by schaadrak
I think I'll have a time limit of two days for any crabs in that tank. Anyone still alive 48 hrs after introduction gets tossed into the pond behind my house.

On a side note, I noticed the PetSmart down the street selling fiddlers for about $4.00 . I don't know if they're the same species or not, but they have almost the exact coloration. The free ones are slightly darker than the PetSmart ones, but that could be due to diet or lighting.

There's a lot of different kinds of Uca sp. out there... I just don't know the difference. I think a lot of them at the LFS are probably natives.

 

[Qwiv]

I would check that you don't need a licence. I think you need a fishing licenence or a bait licence.

 

[Dave Legacy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7921825#post7921825 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Qwiv
I would check that you don't need a licence. I think you need a fishing licenence or a bait licence.

Very good point. There may also be restrictions on the amount of crabs you may take at a time. One needs to check with their state's Department of Fish and Game Regulations. Regulation guide are usually free and could save you a lot of money. DFG Wardens are often times in plain clothing and the fines are no joke.

 

[Thurge]

Another option to tossing the uneaten crabs in the pond out back would be to keep them in a critter keeper or breeder cup in the tank.

 

[noschmo]

Your not feeding a newfoundland dog here. Why not just pick up some small schrimp at your local market, freeze and put a small piece on the end of a feeding stick once or twice a day. It may not be the "professional embarressment" way but would seem logical. I spend maybe 5 bucks a month on schrimp.

 

[schaadrak]

I'm just talking about weekly feedings of live food, to keep him/her stimulated and give me something to watch. Half the reason I'll be getting a mantis is to watch it smash stuff.

 

[Msby12]

oh, i just remembered something!!! if you wanna feed your mantis crabs, tear off the claws first!! that way they can't eat away at your mantis if he/she happens to molt!

and if you think i'm being cruel, remember you are already tossing the crab into the tank with an animal that can deliver fatal blows (to crabs) eh, that's my opinion