Aquarium crayfish guide for beginners: In this series, we not only want to present the 10 best beginner crabs, but above all we want to point out essential things about keeping, socializing, breeding and special features of crabs in the aquarium. In the profiles of the beginner crabs you will then find individual characteristics of the respective species. Above all, the blue Florida crab is presented here in detail. But we also provide that Young Crab – Cambarellus puer, the small Dwarf Crab – Cambarellus diminutus, the Fire Crab – Cherax snowden, the blue-pink crab - Cherax pulcher, the red claw crab - Cherax quadricarinatus and many more. Above all, however, we want to concentrate on the beginner species.
Cancer Types in the World
Before we go into the peculiarities of crabs, we would like to take a closer look at crustaceans and their genera. The biodiversity of more than 50.000 is very high. In all species and genera there are only a few distinguishing features. Almost all types of crabs have one thing in common. They live almost exclusively in the water. Whether it is sea water or fresh water is individual. Their habitat usually also depends very much on the nature of the subsoil. Be it sand for certain types of crabs, which feel comfortable in a soft subsoil, or the different types of crabs in stones, roots and caves.
Aquarium crayfish: physique, characteristics and structure of the crayfish
Certainly there are some distinctive characteristics among Cancerians. We want to take a closer look at the general physique using the most well-known species of crayfish.
Be it in children or in colloquial language, crabs are usually characterized by their two arms with large claws at the front end. These claws are primarily used for feeding. With them, the crab can crush and eat snails, small animals, plants and other foods.
The solid shell of the animals is also very distinctive. This consists of lime or chitin. In close connection with the growth of Crayfish also stands the molt, which we will discuss in the next chapter. In addition, the tail, more precisely the bulwark, at the end of the abdomen. With the tail fan he can regulate his propulsion in the water. It is also possible to swim backwards quickly. The antennae and eyes are important features of crabs. Be it at night, where the antennae are used to identify food in order to localize it. The eyes can be moved independently. This gives the crabs a good all-round view. In addition, the 5 pairs of legs with which they can move quickly. Here another function becomes prominent, because with these legs the crab can not only walk, but he can also swim. That is why they are also called swimming legs.
A word about the respiration of crabs. Here, too, we take the crayfish, which is very common in Europe. Like fish, crabs breathe through their gills. Here the oxygen is dissolved and thus the supply is guaranteed.
Aquarium crabs: moulting of the crabs
As already mentioned, crabs have a solid, usually quite hard body armor, which protects them from predators. Unfortunately, this armor also prevents growth. Therefore, crabs shed their skin regularly to give the body more space and to grow again. During this time, the animals are usually quite shy and also sensitive. It can take two days or more for the shell to harden again. Here the animals also seek protection in caves and stones or roots. Therefore, you should offer these furnishings in the aquarium. That is why you have to pay close attention to this when socializing.
Since the molting process is extremely complicated, it can lead to the death of the animal from time to time. Not just by a predator. Many people may have had a moment of shock in this regard, which then turned out to be unfounded in the second moment. Most of the time, this is just the sight of the shell, which has already been shed.
You can find out how the molting works step by step and what the whole thing looks like in the following guide. There are pictures and videos there too.
Food for crabs
What do crabs eat? One or the other beginner will ask himself this question before he buys the crabs. At least we hope so. You should be well informed about what one or the other species has for special features in terms of eating behavior or food. For this we refer again to the respective profiles.
But now let's take a general look at the diet of crustaceans. Basically, crabs and shrimps are quite undemanding when it comes to the food they are given. They can also be described as omnivores, or as many say, as garbage collectors in the aquarium. Nevertheless, depending on the type, one should differentiate between plant and animal food.
Crayfish eat both organic and plant matter. Above all, you should always offer them foliage. It does not matter whether it is oak, maple, beech or other types of foliage. Fall is the ideal time to think about this.
Whether it's dwarf crayfish or the Cambarus crabs, wafers or tablets especially for crabs from the trade, both species are happy to accept them. Nevertheless, it is also important to pay attention to the quality here.
The proportion of proteins in the feed should vary somewhat depending on the species. However, small amounts do not harm most types of cancer.
Aquarium crabs: snails as food for crabs
Special snails are also loved by many crabs and, with the exception of a few species, can be given. They are good sources of protein.
Mineral feed for the shell and physique
It is important, however, that crabs consume mineral food again and again. This is because they strengthen their chitin armor, which requires a lot of minerals, especially after molting. The most important substance here is calcium, which ensures the strength of the shell. Care should be taken to ensure an adequate supply of calcium via the feed.
Aquarium Crayfish: Aquariums Plants and Crayfish
Again and again the topic comes up that crabs also go to aquarium plants and eat them and unfortunately these are not rumours, but it can really happen. Of course, it also depends on the species. Above all, you have to pay attention to a few things when planting, because crabs like to dig and thus get the rooted plants out of the ground. Here, stones and the like are very good protection against digging.
Of course, it also depends on the size of the respective crab. Small dwarf crabs are rather uncritical here, although the larger species such as Cherax can sometimes dig up or nibble on plants. It is also important which plants are in the aquarium. Are they rather fine and articulated plants or do your aquarium plants tend to have large leaves and hard stems.
The size of the aquarium also plays a role. The more space that is available here, the better.
Socialization of crabs with fish and shrimp
Do crabs eat fish? Do crabs eat shrimp? Some of the beginners will also ask themselves this question and yes, that can also happen. Of course, there are also a few things to consider. Above all, you should keep an eye on the bottom area when socializing with crabs. Bottom-dwelling fish such as dwarf catfish or armored catfish or other types of fish should be avoided as far as possible. Here it is important to look at the exact habitat in the aquarium.
But let's look at the other perspective. Fish can also be dangerous to crabs. Especially those species that are predatory. If crabs are freshly skinned, they are also very susceptible to predators and predatory fish. Therefore, when choosing fish, you have to make sure that crabs are not on the menu.
Crayfish can also be cannibals
Unfortunately, that can happen too. Especially if you keep several crabs together, it can happen that the animals compete and even eat each other. Especially when there is not enough space in the aquarium and the animals cannot form their own territory.
Water parameters for crabs
Aquarium crabs or shrimps are usually very undemanding when it comes to water parameters. Nevertheless, certain things should be considered here in terms of PH value, temperature, water hardness and other values.
The basic rule is: Pay attention to the different origins of the animals, because the water parameters usually depend on them
However, it is important for almost all crabs that the carbonate hardness is not too low. Especially since the animals have to shed their skin in order to grow. The total water hardness varies quite strongly depending on the species and animal. Here it is important to take a look at the exact profile of the respective cancer.
temperature for crayfish
The temperature for keeping the aquarium crabs varies greatly. Especially if you want to go into breeding. Cancer Temperature in breeding can mean as little as 12 degrees. But temperatures of 25-30 degrees are also possible.
PH values in crayfish
Since there are very different water qualities in Germany, the PH value that comes from tap water is also quite different. However, the PH values can still be influenced. An osmosis system is usually used here.
But now back to the question, what PH values can crabs tolerate? The range here is very high. There are, especially shrimp, which only tolerate PH values below 6. Others, however, can tolerate values of up to 8. As a rule of thumb, we would say anything below 7 is very good.
Above all, you have to make sure that the PH value is well puffed, which means that you should pay attention to fluctuations.
Finally, a sentence about ammonia. Crayfish are quite sensitive to this value. Since ammonia and pH are closely related (ammonia increases exponentially from pH 7), care should also be taken here. Here we would also like to look at ours Chemistry guide in aquaristics refer. There is a lot worth knowing about the individual data.
Aquarium setup for crayfish
Of course, crabs also need a number of facilities that differ from a normal aquarium. We have already described the problems with heavily planted aquariums.
Diverse hiding places are important for crabs, especially because of the lack of protection after moulting. These include caves and shelters. These can be easily made from clay tubes or rock.
However, caution is also required when it comes to protection against escaping from the aquarium. It's hard to believe, but the animals are good climbers and also have great strength. So it can happen that a crab is lying on the carpet because it has climbed out of the aquarium. It is therefore important to ensure that the aquarium is securely covered and that the cover cannot be opened easily.
Aquarium setup: lighting for beginner crabs
When it comes to lighting, crabs tend to be more discreet. The mostly crepuscular animals do not feel very well in brightly lit tanks. You should therefore make sure that you also set time phases where you can dim the light accordingly. Most crabs are active at dusk and also hunt for prey there. Therefore, pay attention to the possibility of twilight. There are various controls on the market to simulate the natural habitat of the animals. We also refer to ours here Aquarium lighting guide.
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The main beginner crayfish
Are there beginner crabs? Which aquarium crab species are good for beginners? Of course, there are cancer genera and species that are particularly suitable for beginners when it comes to keeping them. This can depend on its size, eating behavior and socialization. Some of these types could be:
Young Crayfish – Cambarellus puer full profile
small dwarf crab – Cambarellus diminutus
Blue-Pink Crab – Cherax pulcher
Red Claw Crab – Cherax quadricarinatus
The same applies here. Don't just look at the colors of the animals, but rather at their keeping conditions and suitability for beginners. The beginner is usually inspired by the blaze of colour.
cancer diseases
As with fish, there are also specific diseases with crabs. As already mentioned, the animals are very often very vulnerable during the moulting period. Nevertheless, there are also various specific diseases that occur more frequently in crayfish. First and foremost is the widespread crayfish plague. This is very often brought to Europe. It is a fungal disease and deadly. This is introduced by the American crayfish species.
Of course, there are countless other cancers that we want to treat specifically.
Breeding aquarium crabs
Of course, crabs can also be bred. To do this, however, certain framework conditions must be observed, because breeding crabs also means adhering to certain water values, facilities and other things. Especially if you have to understand and simulate them in the aquarium. Be it a reduction in temperature or the adjustment of other water parameters such as GH, KH, CO or others.
Before breeding can begin, the crabs mate. There is a certain ritual for this, which differs only marginally in the different genres. The actual mating usually lasts only 15 minutes and can be observed very rarely.
The eggs are then attached to the female accordingly. When is spawned is very different. The decision here lies solely with the female. The females can spawn every 3 to 4 weeks. And this up to 300 eggs. Of course, not everyone will get away with it. Another four weeks later, the small young crabs then leave the mother and thus also begin to eat independently.
We will then present you with more information and, above all, the exact procedure in another article.
Aquarium Crayfish Conclusion: Crayfish for beginners
If you want to use crabs in your aquarium, you should be aware of everything that needs to be considered. Be it at the Setup of the aquarium, with the water values, with the socialization and also with the feeding. With these first tips from us, there is no longer anything standing in the way of introducing crabs into the aquarium.
The individual profiles give you further tips on the respective type of crab. (coming soon)
Young Crayfish – Cambarellus puer full profile
small dwarf crab – Cambarellus diminutus