Crab Name: Red Clawed Mangrove Crab (Pseudosesarma moeshi formerly Sesarma bidens)

Origin: Asia

 Description: Though related to shrimp and lobsters, Crabs are different in that they walk sideways amongst other things. They are able to stay under water as well as burrow in the sand without much difficulty. They have 8 legs with 2 big red claws or ‘pincers’ which they use for grabbing food. When fully mature they average 3-4cm. They have antennae and 2 fully functional eyes. They have a hardened shell which is also a skeleton and has a brown camouflage appearance. Their teeth are placed in their stomachs. They seem to alternate between living under water and on the surface. Their diet consists of dead leaves, plants, worms (earthworms), fungi, plankton and detritus. The lifespan of Freshwater Red Crabs is 3-4 years or even longer if cared for properly.

Water Parameters: These creatures are able to adapt easily to various water parameters. Good water quality is essential to the survival of Crabs as this allows them not only to live in water but molt with minimum stress levels. Crabs prefer a pH of 6.5 – 8.5. A neutral pH is preferable as opposed to low Ph (acidic) or higher pH (too basic) as this is lethal. Ammonia and nitrite should be avoided at all costs as these are lethal chemicals that are mostly produced through waste. The water temperature suitable for Crabs ranges between 20-25 °C. Crabs are cold-blooded animals so their shells are able to adapt to varying water degrees.

Sexing: They have distinct sexual organs. In order to identify a male Crab one can turn it over and if they notice a triangular flap then it is a male. Furthermore, the males are larger and have big red claws. On the other hand a female Crab has a broad oval-shaped abdominal flap. Also the females are smaller.

Breeding: Their mating ritual is something to behold. The mating can take up to 3 hours and after that the female can stay in the same position for 3 days or so. Once eggs have been fertilized the female might prefer salty water. She will constantly move the eggs using her pleopods (something shrimp and Crayfish are known to do) as this keeps them healthy. Eggs are incubated for about 2 weeks until they hatch in larvae. The larvae will go through different stages until it is a fully developed Crab. This process can take up to a few days.

Compatibility: They are peaceful creatures that can live with both snails and shrimp without tension. There is no interspecies aggression either.