Semi-Terrestrial Crabs?

[Algae]

Could you suggest any semi-terrestrial crabs that would be suitable (and available) a reef aquarium?

 

[LeslieH]

Hi Algae -- sorry for the delay. I'm currently at a small marine station in the US Virgin Islands and my internet access is sporadic.

Semi-terrestrial crabs aren't found on reefs so that's kind of a problem. If you got one you'd need to supply it with a place to haul out like a
sand/mud beach or rock work that sticks out of the water. The first habitat is most suitable for fiddler crabs which are scavengers & grazers that can be kept fairly well with the right set-up. Depending on the species fiddlers can live in full salt to nearly fresh water. Exposed rock work is best for rock crabs like Hemigrapsus & Pachygrapsus which live in the intertidal & shallow subtidal by scavenging & grazing. If the sand/rocks don't have a good growth of micro-algae & detritus then you'll need to give the crabs supplemental food.

Here's some info & link to more info on keeping fiddler crabs - Keeping Fiddler Crabs as Pets