Special Care for Horseshoe Crabs

Captain326 · 06-22-2006, 10:31 PM

Saw a pair of horseshoe craps at the store today. Never seen em in a tank before, or even in captivity. Anybody have info on special care or needs for these guys?

greenbean36191 · 06-23-2006, 07:51 AM

Leave them at the store. They grow to be about 2 feet long, need an extremely large open sandbed that is constantly re-stocked with life, and most that are sold are a temperate species.

**leebca** · 06-23-2006, 02:49 PM

Aye Captn

They are excellent bottom feeders, consuming mostly fleshy organisms. They are primarily carnivores, but dabble on veggies a bit.

They were quite the rage back in the 70's. They are fascinating and very active, being one of the few creatures going back millions of years -- a prehistoric creature that made it through to the modern day.

They have lost favor over the past two decades because basically -- cute but don't last long in our aquariums. The tanks we set up for reef and fishes are not their preferred parameters, temperature being one of them like greenbean mentioned.

I might offer slightly different advice. Not only don't buy them, but tell your LFS they are irresponsible for selling them.

06-22-2006, 10:31 PM	#1
Captain326 Just Moved In Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 10	Special Care for Horseshoe Crabs Saw a pair of horseshoe craps at the store today. Never seen em in a tank before, or even in captivity. Anybody have info on special care or needs for these guys?

06-23-2006, 07:51 AM	#2
greenbean36191 Citizen Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Auburn/Huntsville, AL Posts: 239	Leave them at the store. They grow to be about 2 feet long, need an extremely large open sandbed that is constantly re-stocked with life, and most that are sold are a temperate species. __________________ If you can't change the world, change history- TRT

06-23-2006, 02:49 PM	#3
leebca Moderator - LEE Join Date: May 2006 Location: So CA Posts: 2,309	Aye Captn They are excellent bottom feeders, consuming mostly fleshy organisms. They are primarily carnivores, but dabble on veggies a bit. They were quite the rage back in the 70's. They are fascinating and very active, being one of the few creatures going back millions of years -- a prehistoric creature that made it through to the modern day. They have lost favor over the past two decades because basically -- cute but don't last long in our aquariums. The tanks we set up for reef and fishes are not their preferred parameters, temperature being one of them like greenbean mentioned. I might offer slightly different advice. Not only don't buy them, but tell your LFS they are irresponsible for selling them. __________________ LEE Post your fish care and health questions on the Reefland MARINE FISH: CARE, HEALTH AND DISEASE TREATMENT Forum.

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