Update On Crabs!

[PhilK]

Tonight was the first night since I got my crabs (yes, yes ha ha I have crabs) that I managed to spring a few of them out and about on the land, instead of in the water where they seem to prefer to stay. Thought I'd snap a pic or two. Forgive me if they're sort've the same looking! Enjoy!

My T didn't eat a cricket, so I got it by the ovipositor and decided to see what a crab would do if I offered it in the water... The cricket lasted all of 2 seconds before the crab went at it like a maniac! Grabbed it straight away!! I suck at photography normally, and this was under water so by the time I managed to get a clear photo, he'd mostly finished it, but trust me it was a big cricket!

Fed a second cricket, but the crab that got him ran off under a rock and I didn't see it feeding.

 

[Kharnifex]

Hehehe cool, it would be awesome if you bred them.

 

[PhilK]

Yeah if they breed they breed.. I don't know enough about these guys to ensure they do etc etc! It's really up to them

 

[PhilK]

Just went and fed a whole bunch more crickets... They absolutely love them. Launch themselves at the forceps and just yank the crickets towards themselves...

One cricket dropped a leg so I gave it to the little crab, and a big crab came and bullied it off him. Fascinating to watch. They eat at break neck speed. Soon as they get the cricket they pull off all the 'attachements' (feelers, legs, butt feelers) and eat them, then they start on the body...

Really wicked to watch!

EDIT: wouldn't you know my camera ran out of batteries right when they were all out in the open munching on crickets..

 

[intrepidus6]

What do they eat other than crickets?

What species are they?

 

[PhilK]

Mate absolutely no clue on species.. Perhaps Austrothelphusa sp.? Formerly Holthuisana apparently... But that is a very very very tentative I.D!

If it helps (which it probably won't).. they come from the outback in Queensland. Live in dried up creekbeds mostly. Completely freshwater crab, 1000s of km's from the nearest salt water.

They eat pretty much everything, being crabs.. In the land portion of their tanks, I have two food dishes with commercial hermit crab food, fish flakes and grated carrot mixed together. Every now and again they come onto land for a forage, but normally I give in to the urge and feed them with forceps. Today was my first try at feeding them crickets.

EDIT: Googling turned up very little... This is the most informative site I found: http://www.amonline.net.au/sand/news/freshwater_crabs.htm

 

[intrepidus6]

Do you know if they will eat any kind of feeder fish?

 

[PhilK]

Nah mate, haven't tried. Next time I go to the pet store I might buy some feeder crays and feeder fish, see if they co-habitate or if they get eaten...

 

[Curry]

haha those crabs look coool. Where did you get them from?

 

[BenjaminS]

I have heard of some freshwater crabs (in Africa I think) that actually reproduce like crayfish (or yabbies for you Phil ) in that they carry their young underneath them. If this is the case with these little fellows then you might have some luck with breeding them!
Don