Q&A for How to Set Up a Tank for Your Red Clawed Crab

Not the glass itself, but they can and will climb the cables from the pump/heater.

That depends on the crab. Maybe at first, but if you pay close attention to your crab and make sure it is hydrated, and warm, probably not.

Yes, you may do that.

Depending on size of crab, type of crab, size of terrarium, and if you use specialty food. In general, costs could total about 100 dollars.

Yes, ideally a heat lamp.

No, the red claw may eat the snail, they will eat whatever can't get away.

Red claw crabs may harass fish with long fins and little bottom feeders like catfish, shrimp, and snails. If you want to put a fish in the tank, I would choose a larger, more dominating fish.

Take the crab to a vet that specializes in such creatures.

That depends on the size of your crabs, but it should be fine.

Yes, but be careful. Use a plastic/paper cup to pick it up so it doesn't pinch you!

I wouldn't do this. They can both be aggressive when startled, and one might hurt or kill the other.

No, the best option is 20+ gallons, but you could probably get away with 15 gallons at the smallest. A 1 gallon tank would be way too small.

It is recommended to not put males together, because they will fight for dominance and may even kill each other. Crabs can live alone and don't feel lonely.

Of course. Unlike some species of captive fish, crabs do not need to be in a "school" or have a "tank mate." They will not go through any stress being alone.

No, it's best to keep them separate so they don't hurt or even kill each other.

If you only have one or two, they should be fine in a five gallon tank, but I wouldn't put in more than that. Overcrowding causes stress and disease.

With an automatic filter and by swapping out about 20% of the water biweekly. Remember to do a more wide sweeping clean every once in a while just to be safe.

Yes, but you should pick it up from behind to minimize the risk of getting pinched.

Fast-moving fish that live in either freshwater or brackish water will work, as will large snails and small shrimp, though the crab might eat the shrimp. Other crabs like vampire crabs or panther crabs might do in a large tank.

No, your crab will eat or attack the newt. But you can keep the crab with big fish.

Yes, make a paladarium though because much land is needed in a 3-1 ratio. Also, oxygen is bound to run out unless you connect tubing to the dry zone.

A casual light or LED will work. UVB bulbs overheat in the type of enclosure these critters need.

No, but it is always ideal to keep water moving through a pump or having a bubbler so the water still has oxygen added in.

Around at least once a week but only like 15 or 25 percent of the water. If you do this, you dilute the nitrates and ammonia in the water, as well as remove other toxins and pollutants that may build up in the tank.

It depends, if the turtle topper has air holes in it that are big enough for your crab, then, no. However, if you do have a turtle topper that has small or no gaps your crab can escape through then, yes.

This particular question is highly debatable. Some say it stresses the crab out, others say they do just fine. You could try small gravel and see how the crab copes.

They don't need it, but they can have it. Just make sure it's not too strong so it won't hurt the crab.

Yes, a square foot of space for each crab is recommended. They should do well together in a 40-gallon tank.

The underside is rounder if it is a female, while the male has a pointier underside flap.

Yes! I have my Red Claw in a ten-gallon tank with three top feeding fish. We have the water level low enough that he can reach a land perch, but high enough that the fish have room and the filter can function.