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The arthropods (jointed-legged animals) we call crustaceans are
iconic marine creatures. Crabs, lobsters, mantis and more on the “macro”
side and many thousands of “micro” “pods”, skeleton shrimp, Mysids and
oh so many other described “crusty” groups. Though they are so common in
all marine habitats, biotopes, does this mean that we should keep them
in our systems? My answer is decidedly not.
IMO/Experience the use of most larger crustaceans, including the
Anomurans called Hermit crabs is overrated… with most all crustaceans of
size being at least opportunistic omnivores. Yes; there are no
absolutely “reef safe” crustaceans; even Emerald/Mithraculus crabs will
eat your fishes and other invertebrates given hunger and the chance.
So; is this the end of the story here? Just say no to crustaceans? Far
from it; there are set ups and mixes, even in volumes of less than a
quart to tens of gallons where these insect-relatives can make wonderful
displays. One just needs to have a working knowledge of their needs,
dispositions and calculated odds of given species getting along; and
understanding that keeping crustaceans is not an easy proposition of all
getting along.
Macro-Crustaceans: for the most part, solitary
species.
Crabs? No, Please:
Decapods… “ten feet”… Crabs. Don’t get me wrong, I find them delicious
cooked in soups and other ways… But all of them are to degrees
omnivorous. If/when they get to large/r size, they can/will eat your
other invertebrates, possibly fishes as well. IF you must keep them, or
just end up with some as hitchhikers, DO your best to keep them small
(i.e. don’t feed them directly), AND keep your eyes on the rest of your
livestock.
Hermits? Maybe Some:
My gripe with the false-crabs (Anomurans) called Hermits is several: For
one, many are not really totally aquatic; that’s right, many species are
amphibious. Second, they’re misunderstood as cleaner uppers. Most are
opportunistic eater uppers who will cross the line given hunger and the
chance to eat your tankmates (see below). Lastly, due to the above
misunderstandings, and most regrettable is that too many people place
way too many of these animals in their systems, expecting algae et al.
Nirvana, and are disappointed. IF you must have Hermits, investigate and
use the best species (some listed below), and avoid the outright
predaceous species unless you’re housing one to a tank as your single
specimen.
A Couple of the Safer Hermit Species Commonly Offered in the
Trade:
Some Suitable False Crabs; e.g. Porcelain et al. & Mutualistic
“Real” Crabs:
There’s actually a very large group of symbiotic crustaceans; including
(yes) crabs that live in association with stony corals, soft corals and
sea pens (Pennatulaceans) that can make really neat specialized
displays. The way to purchase/acquire these is to be on super-look-out
or ask your dealer, e-dealer to be so… As only the most carefully
collected and shipped co-symbionts are shipped with good enough care
ensuring survival of both. A few shown here; there are MANY
others. See below for shrimp examples as well.
Anomurans Other Than Hermits: Squat Lobsters & Porcelain
Crabs, Families Galatheidae & Porcellanidae There are some
bizarre (but neat!) squat lobsters on the worlds reefs, but these rarely
make it into Western ornamental markets; instead of teasing you I’ll
just present the two at-times available Anemone Crabs. If you’re keen to
keep a carpet; you really should check these out and consider keeping
them as well. Family Porcellanidae;
Porcelain, Anemone Crabs. Live within Anemones tentacles. These will
chase out Clownfishes if they can... or may be in turn chased out by
them. Filter feeders (use modified, long third maxillipeds) that can do
well in captivity. Movable abdomen aids them in rapid movement. Mainly
Neopetrolisthes, Petrolisthes, Petrocheles. Typified as having
flattened chelipeds, long antennae.
Mutual Decapods for Specialty (Species Only) Set Ups:
Specialty/Specimen Set Ups: Perhaps a Mantis?
As stated re keeping larger decapods/crabs, lobsters to come, and some
of the shrimps we’ll mention in passing; there are some really neat
big/ger crustaceans that deserve (and require) their own small marine
system… to not bother tankmates and to become more “outgoing”. One fave
outstanding group here is the Stomatopoda; the too-often-feared Mantis
“Shrimps”. There are many people I’ve met who became bored with their
non-sharky sharks, too-large puffers and more… but NEVER one I’ve
encountered who grew tired of their Mantis!
Rock Lobster, Uh huh:
Small reef lobsters are amongst my fave organisms… to
encounter while underwater looking for photographic subjects; not so
much in aquariums. Yes; the familiar refrain re large-enough
crustaceans; they’re ready, willing and able to eat most any, all other
invertebrate and fish life. That being stated; again these are
beautiful, interesting animals; that although not super active during
the day time, can make interesting specimen tank displays.
Principally on offer are members of the genus Enoplometopus;
there are others, but the two most commonly kept are shown below.
Shrimps! Thank Goodness:
Am reminded of the line from Forest Gump; “Jumbo shrimp, shrimp with
grits, fried shrimp; shrimp and rice… “As with the movie, there ARE many
kinds of shrimps; and several of these are suitable for small marine
systems; some with additional life, and others best by themselves or at
least no other edible tankmates. There are several smaller symbiotic
shrimp species that live with various “corals, echinoderms and more that
are especially attractive to me; for their grace, beauty and showing-offed-ness.
Cleaner Shrimps
Of all kinds can be kept without “customers”; i.e., fishes to clean. In
small volumes, up to the limit here of forty gallons are really too
little to have both; with the shrimp really bothering their hosts.
Better that these symbiotic shrimps be kept by without fishes, in a
group, one species to a tank.
Genus Lysmata: Shown; one of many choices
Genus Periclimenes: Many suitable species and
wide range of hosts.
Boxer Shrimps; the family Stenopodidae: the
most common species shown; there are others.
Pistol Shrimps (& Their Mutualistic Gobies):
Family Alpheidae Seldom seen, often
heard... and the results of their "shooting" known far and wide... the
Alpheids can be easily identified (if you can find them) by their very
short eye stalks and one much larger "pistol" claw. This
specialized appendage is capable of punching holes in all crustacean
exoskeletons, even many shellfish! Alpheus and Synalpheus species are
the notable symbionts with Shrimp Gobies
Boring; really… having to keep, chop up, or very
regularly buy these echinoderm tube-feet strict dieters is wearisome.
Yes, they’re beautiful, but… reclusive and not very active. Best to just
watch on YouTube videos IMO. Two species:
Small Crustaceans Groups:
What about the many species of Mysids, Copepods, Amphipods,
Caprellids, even Isopods ! And more smaller crustaceans? Of course these
can make wonderful displays. Am reminded of the industry that is the “EcoSphere”,
http://www.eco-sphere.com/ ; those sealed,
self-contained worlds composed of a small air space, seawater, a
gorgonian skeleton, bit of algae and
Halocaridina rubra (a small red Atyid shrimp
with the Hawaiian name ʻōpaeʻula).
Cloze:
This is just a smattering of representative small marine systems
possibilities involving the jointed legged animals called crustaceans. I
hope I do not come off as being altogether too negative re their keeping
in our aquariums. They do have their places; albeit in limited numbers,
circumstances and with carefully selected tankmates. Many species, in
fact whole groups are misunderstood as being “cleaner uppers” or benign
toward other life. Symbiotic species in all groups are good choices,
where/when you can acquire them in good health with their hosts; and
cleaners work out fine in specialized set-ups, but most crabs, lobsters
and Hermits are best left in the sea.
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