horseshoe crabs

[xcorallusx]

anyone have any luck with this guys? I saw a small one at c and p and I am interested in it.




Thanks,
Tim

 

[ktnjer]

I have had one in my 75 for almost 6 months or more with no problems...

 

[J. Montgomery]

IMO, avoid 'em.

 

[ktnjer]

Why Josh?

 

[J. Montgomery]

For starters, they can grow up to 2ft. They eat invertebrates that live in the sand, and its unlikely that most tanks will have enough food to sustain one.

I'm surprised that ktnjer has kept one for 6 months, so maybe I'm off on this one.

But really, I'm just repeating what I've read in the Other Invertebrates forum.

 

[coolfish5]

I've seen them maintained on newly hatched live brine while they are small maybe up to 2". I would think after a year or so though you might end up with some trouble with them knocking stuff over.

 

[ktnjer]

Mine was bought at maybe 3" with the tail and has remained that same 3". I thought he died off a few times because he stays under the sand. Although, my snail population has gone down...most crabs are still intact. He doesn't knock anything over and comes up every week or so to run around the sand. Hasn't been any trouble so far...tank is going strong.Maybe besides for the snails....it's all good?

 

[merlin33bc]

I had one for about 4 months but one day he was blown around the tank by the powerheads and got stuck to the outside of the powerhead and he is now deceased. soooooo. just be careful.

 

[Saboral]

I had two for about 4 months. The only problem I have noticed with them and read about is they tend to have issues shedding properly in captivity. If they don't shed they won't live for very long. Mine was the same way, always under the sand and actually kept the bottom very clean.