Horseshoe Crabs

[svine]

Anyone know anything about Horseshoe Crabs for a reef tank? Would they be an ok fit in the reef environment? They look pretty cool and just wanted to see if there are any pros or cons here.

[dobejazz]

I think they get to big

[gwen_o_lyn]

I had a horseshoe crab once and I wouldn't get one again.... My book says they prefer lower temps- I think it said low to mid 70s. I don't think the crab ever looked happy... It eventually died after about 6-9 months.

[Doug1]

Like cooler temps, eat almost everything out of a sand bed and bulldoze rock stacks, not a good choice

[Loverotties]

I have 2 of them for about 2 yrs now.They have doubled in size and stay under the sand most of the time.They keep the sand stired!

[xtopher]

I would say as a majority the answer is no. There are always exceptions though

[scootingblenny]

if you still wanna get one, get em small because the usual horseshoe crab sold can grow to over a foot big. make sure u have lots of sand for him to walk around in. the number one cause of death in home-kept horseshoe crabs is starvation so make sure he gets food, mine enjoys eating mysis shrimp, black worms, they're scavengers, think meaty foods but they have to be small, like small shrimp because of the size of their mouth. Like others said, the temp. has to be fairly low, mine does fine at 76 fahrenheit. they are really cool but its fairly difficult to find the right conditions if found though they will thrive and live a long time. They do stir the sand a good amount too

[ChrisPrusha]

I am surprised to hear any success stories...good for you guys!!!

I wouldn't recommend these any more than flame scallops...they have an overall poor survivability record in home aquariums.

[110galreef]

I've tried a couple and they all died shortly. One also killed my LT anemone.

Some how the anemone had it completly in it's mouth..(gone), next day it spit out the Horseshoe crab and noth were still alive. Next day the crab was back inside with just tail sticking out and then the anemeone and crab died a few days later??

[ouccmich]

i would say no as well

[Casey]

I say no also,just dont do well.

[Sizzlersonthebrain]

The only sing of life for mine is the ocasional molted shell found in the rocks. When I went from a 40g to the 75 I found him. thought he died the year before but guess I was wrong. Wonder if he's still in the 75 or moved on?

[PelagicMagic]

I just added two yesterday. It took me a long time to find ones small enough. I find them in water that is almost 80 degrees, They are in 4 inches of very warm water at the beach. The first one I had lived a long time. He kept the sand bed clean and was very interesting to watch. They do get to big and fast. I get them around the size of a quarter and take them out when they exceed the size of a half dollar. I am giving one away because I do not feel like I have enough food in the sand bed to support 2, especially with snails and crabs competing for food.

[JennM]

Originally Posted by PelagicMagic

I just added two yesterday. It took me a long time to find ones small enough. I find them in water that is almost 80 degrees, They are in 4 inches of very warm water at the beach. The first one I had lived a long time. He kept the sand bed clean and was very interesting to watch. They do get to big and fast. I get them around the size of a quarter and take them out when they exceed the size of a half dollar. I am giving one away because I do not feel like I have enough food in the sand bed to support 2, especially with snails and crabs competing for food.

What do you do with them when they are too big? Do you rehome them or do you release them?

Jenn

[Hardhead Cat]

I would say "no" to horseshoes in any home aquarium not near a release ocean area.....they get huge and can kill your entire tank of animals, plus they are indiscriminate bulldozers through anything in the SB. They are cool to watch though.

HHC