I was thinking about getting one pet crab for a large bowl, but I am not sure exactly what to look for... answers to a few of these questions would be helpful... 1. what are some small freshwater crabs I can get? 2. what should I feed it? 3. Are there any important things it needs in its tank? 4. Do they need to be able to get above water or are they totally aquatic? If you can help me with this I'd dearly appreciate it!! :D

Hermit Crabs are actually the best crabs to keep as pets. Here is a website on the care of Hermit Crabs : Care of Hermit Crabs.

The website is great and will tell you everything you need to know. :)

If you are after small crabs then red clawed crab is probibly the best one to keep grows to around 2 and a half inches maximum however it must have surface exess so a rock coming out of the water or something would be great,
They are tropical and will feed on small live fish, algea pellets, frozen/dried or pellet food and anything that dies in the tank,
They will need a small cave for when they are shedding their skin as they feel vulnerable as they go very soft and need time to harden up, if security is not given to a crab it can get stuck in the shed and it will kill it (this happens with all crabs)

I wouldn't recommend a bowl for a crab but a small fish tank around about 1 to 1 and half ft would be suitable,
The red clawed can be kept togather happily (I used to keep them)
Bcrabs are great to look at and enjoy messing around with the décor and finding their own place for everything, they also like digging so sand is best as a sunstrate on the floor of the tank and maybe a small corner of gravel or rock for the crab to move about and false plants, (you will soon find these in many different places from where they were first put in the tank) they are a joy to keep and will provide you with hours of endless amusement,

A crab is a nice addition but I would look into all the pro's and cons as some require heat others don't, some require slightly brackish water some don't, so really if you do some searches on crabs in Google you may find one that you like and will be suitable for everything you need, I tried to find a picture of my old crabs but I can't find it :(

One more thing you need to know is that crabs are escape artists and if there is a small gap anywhere on the tank or lid they WILL escape they can climb up airpipes, ornaments and corners on the glass and according to my cousin it isn't amusing when you wake up in the middle of the night with a crab sitting on your face :o hehe

Good luck and happy hunting

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Originally Posted by dragondog

I was thinking about getting one pet crab for a large bowl, but I am not sure exactly what to look for... answers to a few of these questions would be helpful... 1. what are some small freshwater crabs i can get? 2. what should I feed it? 3. Are there any important things it needs in its tank? 4. Do they need to be able to get above water or are they totally aquatic? If you can help me with this I'd dearly appreciate it!!! :D

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Get a hermit crab.They are easy to take care of. You will need a sponge in cage larger shells for it to transfer in feed it vegtables, they love lettuce. Get 2 and they can race . Have fun

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dragondog

I was thinking about getting one pet crab for a large bowl, but I am not sure exactly what to look for... answers to a few of these questions would be helpful... 1. what are some small freshwater crabs i can get? 2. what should I feed it? 3. Are there any important things it needs in its tank? 4. Do they need to be able to get above water or are they totally aquatic? If you can help me with this I'd dearly appreciate it!!! :D

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You need to put it in a tank not a bowl, they can't survive, and you need to heat your tank as well, they like warm water. Get moon crabs or something.