Shamefaced crabs

[fishysteve]

Does anyone have any experience with these?

 

[LeslieH]

They're specialized predators on molluscs. Take a good look at the big claws. One is shaped like a vise and the other is shaped like a can opener. That's so it can securely hold a shell and break open even the biggest snails like conches. If there's no molluscs they will feed on what ever they can find. Calappas also get big. If you want to dedicate a tank to one that's great but don't expect it to be a good citizen in a community tank.

 

[fishysteve]

I have two in a tank of their own. A 30 breeder that has a couple mangroves. I've been feeding them shrimp and squid from the seafood store. Have you kept them before?

 

[LeslieH]

Unfortunately no. My experience comes from observing & collecting them in the wild.

 

[meatball87]

do u have any pics sounds like they're interesting looking

 

[fishysteve]

I'll post some later.

 

[fishysteve]

I don't know how to reduce the size sorry. I also have no idea where all my old pictures went from before they changed ReefCentral.

 

[Scott-CapeCoral]

I caught one at one of my local beaches a few years back. It never hurt a thing in my reef tank. It stayed at the bottom and just waited for me to feed it. It ate anything I would give it, shrimp, squid, silver-sides, anything. The thing I remember most about it is it was the fastest growing crab I've ever seen. I caught it when it was about an inch across. Around 5-6 months later it was pushing 5 inches across. The size difference after a molt was very shocking. He died right after his last molt, while his shell was still soft, a fish ripped him to shreds, I couldnt stop it... They were under the liverock.

 

[fishysteve]

Thanks for the info Scott.

 

[gussy]

I used to keep them together with larger hermit crabs (Dardanus) but it didn't go well as the larger hermits would always steal their food. It didn't work out on my 55 anemone tank too as it was pain for me to feed. Eventually they went to their own 24 gallon tank.