My Experience with Hawaiian Strawberry Crab

[Gouldian]

Hi Bros,

I wish to share my experience on Hawaiian Stawberry Crab which I have bought last year.

Herewith are some info about them:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+501+1907&pcatid=1907 - Notice Liveaquaria ID it as Liomera sp.

http://anythingsaltwater.com/strawberry-crab-p-923.html - Claimed to be rare

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawberry_crab - Pix does not justify the actual specimen

http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=crabs_of_japan&id=1214 - Species info

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=152263&st=40 - Started with a guy claiming that its is not reef-safe but subsequently denounce by the seniors in Nano Reef

http://www.thepetscentral.com/fish/fish-aquarium/adding-strawberry-crab-to-fish-aquarium/ - Pets Central advices on the species. However, I find the part of keeping in Fresh Water dubious

http://www.google.com.sg/search?q=strawberry+crab&hl=en&sa=G&prmd=iv&source=univ&tbs=vid:1&tbo=u&ei=PaQVTL_BNdS9rAfP-oiKCA&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=13&ved=0CFgQqwQwDA - Videos of them, do view the ones from Hangseanshi.

http://glassbox-design.com/2010/new-strawberry-crab-discovered-in-taiwan/ - Unconfirmed new species found in Taiwan

Anyway, the reason why I wanted to share was due to an interesting event that happened recently. I will post more when I have time.

[Solo77]

Lol, the feeling of keeping in suspense is bad. . Lol

[Gouldian]

Lol, the feeling of keeping in suspense is bad. . Lol

Sorry about it bro, story too long and have to break into parts.

Anyway, I have bought the Strawberry Crab from CF cannot remember how much exactly but I think its around a blue note. I am unsure whether there are any LFS that carries them besides CF (never seen before)

After I have release them into the tank, they remain hidden and occasionally will comes out to move around but will swiftly hide amongst the rocks whenever I approach the tank or a fish swims pass them deliberately.

As my intention is to get a pair, we selected 2 that shows greater differences. 1 of them which is larger is more pink than red and the other smaller 1 is more vibrant red.

I have never seen them together as I only manages to seen 1 coming out at any given time.

As I intend to clear my display tank to do some major works, I have been wanting to slowly removes the livestocks in the tank. However, I have been taking a "SLOW" approach due to my schedules and others issues which I do not have answers.

3 weeks ago, at around 6.30am while the room is still dark, I woke up for my run and found 1 of them coming out on the sand-bed away from the rock works.

I took a net and was able to catch the larger one. As my other smaller tank (1ft) is now housing my pair of black clowns and a peppermint hog, I decides to release the crab into a small 13cm glass tank (used to keep bettas) and place it in the display tank knowing that it is impossible for the crab to climb out of the glass tank smooth surfaces.

During this time, I was able to better observe the crab. I tried stuffing some seaweed and small pellets into a empty astea shell and lowered it into the glass tank for the crab. I notice the crab ate most of it although due to its lack of speed some of the seaweed floated and was immediately eaten my my yellow tang.

My yellow tang even swim into the glass tangs to snatch whatever food that the crab could not consume in time.

1.5 week ago, the more cryptic smaller crab began appearing more often in the open area where the larger crab is trap. But this guys is more cautious and I have never been able to reach my tank before it disappearing into the rock-works not to mention catching it. Most of the time, when I witness this is during night time thus I assume that they are more nocturnal and I also notice the smaller crab is not just out to feed back "may be" communicating with the larger crab.

So I continue to feed the tank and also making conscious efforts to ensure some pellets will fall into the glass tank where the larger crab is.

On Saturday 12/06/2010, I woke up and routine went to my tank and was surprised when I look into my display tank ....

Part 3 on the way.

[raydiative]

basket.. shouldnt have read so fast.. now need to wait for part 3.. hahaha

[poomoon]

part 3 part 3 .... i recall RD had a few of these (btwn 6-8), maybe early this year if i remember right. asked if it was reef safe, no idea yet, no experience with it, so i decided not to grab any. after a few days when i decided to try it out, all gone. anyway, part 3 part 3 ...

[poomoon]

maybe can have this like those adventure stories ... what do you think happened ?

a) Found strawberry crab feasting on fish

Found strawberry crab flashing

etc etc etc ...

anyway, i hope nothing bad happened ...

[albinosage]

Wah basket, Gouldian is a very good story teller... I kena trick too lol.

[TayHongSiang]

either the small one has climb out of the display tank to join the big one or the big one has climb out of the small tank into the display tank...

or he found his big one in his display tank with a frag of his strawberry from his fridge...sharing the fruit with the small one

[Gouldian]

either the small one has climb out of the display tank to join the big one or the big one has climb out of the small tank into the display tank...

or he found his big one in his display tank with a frag of his strawberry from his fridge...sharing the fruit with the small one

Ah Siang, you are close. Actually the small tank is inside my display near the LRs where the crabs used to hide.

Anyway, on Saturday, I saw the other inside the small tank as well!

In order for the smaller one to go into the smaller tank, it needs to climb into the open surface of my LRS (i have never witness them doing before), stretched itself towards the edge of the small tank and fall through the height of the tank which is estimated around 15cm!

But why does the smaller crab wanted to do that? There were not abundance of food in the smaller than to tempt it in. In fact, there are more food around the LR than in the small glass tank housing a larger specie.

Hmmm, it intrigues me and I continue to observe and report what I saw. In the meantime, anyone with CAMERA????? I need some decent shots of them. Dun ask me to take, photography is not my cup of tea.

[albinosage]

Wow, I guess it really missed the company of its mate!

[digibee]

By the way, not sure how it is related to your story,

.... my nassarius snail crawl out of my tank and fell onto the ground before; height of more than 5 ft plus.

I picked it up and put back into the tank; still alive and kicking ....

Cheers!

[raydiative]

cute.. i think crabs are able to "swim" for a short distant so think the 15cm freefall is not that bad..

[TayHongSiang]

Wow, I guess it really missed the company of its mate!

saw a few in CF last fri...one of them is like 2 50cent coins big...GO GET IT! weeeee.....eeeee.....

[poomoon]

Wow, I guess it really missed the company of its mate!

wow ... potential breeding pair ?

[Gouldian]

Wow, I guess it really missed the company of its mate!

I believe so too, my previous perceptions of inverts not having the "higher" intelligence of mammals is no longer valid. In fact, some humans will not even notice when their partner is missing!

Anyway, I am still not sure about whether I am having a mated pair. In fact, I still do not know whether what I had are different sex. Thus, I hope that with this thread, I will be able to get help and also to share what I have found out about this species.

So bro, poomoon is that crab still in your tank? Care to share more about yours?

[Gouldian]

saw a few in CF last fri...one of them is like 2 50cent coins big...GO GET IT! weeeee.....eeeee.....

Bro, Can you remember how much they are selling? I could not remember liao.

[TayHongSiang]

Bro, Can you remember how much they are selling? I could not remember liao.

no idea also...later auntie F me...asked her a lot of prices that day...

[Gouldian]

cute.. i think crabs are able to "swim" for a short distant so think the 15cm freefall is not that bad..

Bro, through my observation they are not able to swim, if not, the larger one would have swam out of the open top of the small tank. The both crabs still periodically try to stretch and climb out of the glass tank but due to the smoothness of the surface, they were not able to do so.

Through my observations, I notice that they are able to stretch very far in order to reach some spots that they are unable to reach.

[poomoon]

I believe so too, my previous perceptions of inverts not having the "higher" intelligence of mammals is no longer valid. In fact, some humans will not even notice when their partner is missing!

Anyway, I am still not sure about whether I am having a mated pair. In fact, I still do not know whether what I had are different sex. Thus, I hope that with this thread, I will be able to get help and also to share what I have found out about this species.

So bro, poomoon is that crab still in your tank? Care to share more about yours?

i hope they're different sex and can breed bro. nope, when i decided to try out then, no more stock

[Gouldian]

wow ... potential breeding pair ?

Yup, I suspect THIS may be happening but not sure, still need more observations and advices from experts. FuEl, let me know if you have more info, may need your help to ask around in MOFIB.

[albinosage]

Bro, Can you remember how much they are selling? I could not remember liao.

I think Iwarna brought in some during a Hawaiian shipment a couple of months back. Either $25 or $35, can't remember liao.

Bro, through my observation they are not able to swim, if not, the larger one would have swam out of the open top of the small tank.

I think Ray meant they are able to "paddle" to a slow descent, not swim freely in the water column lol.

i hope they're different sex and can breed bro. nope, when i decided to try out then, no more stock

Bro, I am thinking of selling mine, you want? But it is one single crab la, not a pair.

[Gouldian]

I think Iwarna brought in some during a Hawaiian shipment a couple of months back. Either $25 or $35, can't remember liao.

I think Ray meant they are able to "paddle" to a slow descent, not swim freely in the water column lol.

Bro, I am thinking of selling mine, you want? But it is one single crab la, not a pair.

Thanks Bino for clarifying. Btw, care to share your observations?

[albinosage]

Thanks Bino for clarifying. Btw, care to share your observations?

I've had it only for a few weeks, and underestimated its size (as long as my index finger). The behaviour of the crab is exactly like you described, jumpy and timid. It only comes out when there is nobody around, and will scramble away at the slightest movement outside the tank.

IMO it is not a good ornamental crab for a nano aquarium despite the beautiful colours cos of it's shy and ninja like behaviour - you'll never get to admire it up close after releasing it in to the tank. It is a good algae eater though, and I believe it feeds on detritus and leftover food too. Unlike your crabs, mine likes to scale the rocks and has even attempted to climb the full 18" height of the overflow compartment (but only managed 14" in the end before giving up.

[raydiative]

I think Ray meant they are able to "paddle" to a slow descent, not swim freely in the water column lol.

yup yup.. thanks what i mean.. you know me so well..

haha...

[Gouldian]

I've had it only for a few weeks, and underestimated its size (as long as my index finger). The behaviour of the crab is exactly like you described, jumpy and timid. It only comes out when there is nobody around, and will scramble away at the slightest movement outside the tank.

IMO it is not a good ornamental crab for a nano aquarium despite the beautiful colours cos of it's shy and ninja like behaviour - you'll never get to admire it up close after releasing it in to the tank. It is a good algae eater though, and I believe it feeds on detritus and leftover food too. Unlike your crabs, mine likes to scale the rocks and has even attempted to climb the full 18" height of the overflow compartment (but only managed 14" in the end before giving up.

Thanks for sharing bro, 1 up for you.

Actually, 1 of my idea is to try to keep them as in a species pico tank with tonga branch and weak lighting. I hope this will not spook them too much and provide better opportunity to observe them further.