Species Characteristics

[Guest]

Knock on wood, my two new crabs seem to be doing okay, after several days, and I'd like to get a couple more now, going cautiously after losing my first two to PPS. I'm intrigued by some of the exotic species - especially the avid climbers! Can anyone give me advice on which species are to be avoided because they're hard to care for? Which are your favorites? etc. Also - are these species readily available? I've got a good Petco nearby (my only real source) - would I be able to ask for them there?Thanks -

[moire_eel]

Petcos lately seem to have PPs, Ruggies, Indos, Straws and very occasionally a Cav or two. But don't count on the Petco employees knowing which is which, with the possible exception of the Strawberries. Sometimes you find a knowledgable employees, but mostly they are working from a caresheet and their knowledge begins and ends with what Petco tells them to do to maintain the store tank. I would say that Strawberries are the most difficult, especially this time of year as they seem to be more intolerant of temperature and humidity fluctuations. They are also extremely active, and will mess up the tank. I think they are happier with more room to move around it, especially the big guys, and that's the size you usually see. But if you're maintaining consistent tank conditions with temp and humidity between 75 and the low 80s, you should be fine with any species.Both my Ruggies and Straws climb a lot. My Indos do too, but they are more likely to run laps around the tank. They climb stuff if it gets in the way, but they seem to prefer to cover more ground. The Straws and the Rugs are the ones I find hanging in the vines or even from the top edge of the tank.

[Ren1216]

I dont have a Petco nearby, but our local petstore gets Ecuadorians in. I have 8 of them... LOVE 'em! They are fun. I definitely see them climbing more than my PP's, and they seem to have warmed up to me quicker than my PPs. I have one E who will just stay where ever she is and watch me through the glass, even walk over and try to touch me with her anntenae if I press my finger to the glass... then I have another who actually comes out of hiding when I come in the room, although he does not come right over to the glass, he does not recoil into his shell when I have my hand in there either. I dont handle my crabs much yet, Ive only had them a few months... but Im going to start slowly picking the less-frightened ones up. Anyways, I really like my E's but I dont have any experience with the other exotics. Mine have been easy to care for, have not lost a single one of the E's.

[motley crew]

the most active one's I have are my E's but my ruggies are out to but seem to shy away more than the E's and they seem to climb all over the tank when i'm up and don't hide when I walk around the house

[NewCrabber]

In my experience, of all the species, Es and straws are the most entertaining and consistently active. I have a few Es that are really shy and hide much of the time, but I've only ever seen that in the very small ones. Both can be active during the day much of the time, too. The thing with straws is that they can be difficult to care for and keep healthy. They seem a little more sensitive to their environment. If it's action you want, I wouldn't go with Cavipes or Indos. None of my Cavipes spend much time out and about at all, never have and I've had them quite some time now. It took my Indos better than a year to become what I perceive as comfortable enough to climb and cruise around, not to stay hidden. I almost always see one of them climbing and the biggest one is always looking for a way out. A smaller one was attacked not long ago and besides being upset about the attack itself, wasn't sure he was going to make it, but he seems okay now, he has reverted to being shy again which was sad to see since it took so long for him to come out of his shell in the first place.My ruggies are pretty shy and quiet, too, but I'm not sure if it's just the personality of this lot and/or the mix (personalities) of the other hermies in the tank or if it's indicative of the species. I have them in my big tank with most of the others. My Cavipes are in a smaller tank with a few PPs and one of them is three times the size as the rest, still he hides, like the others.

[moire_eel]

Really, I'm starting to think that a crab's personality has relatively little to do with species. I have some very outgoing Ruggies and Indos! In the case of the Indos especially, I gather mine may be the exception. Perhaps it is because they are fairly small. I have one very small Ruggie that likes to get a grip on the top edge of the tank where the air line tubing comes in. If I remove him, he'll grab my finger just like it was anything else he likes to climb. He's totally unafraid now, but it took about four months for him to get to that point. Until he did, he pretty much stayed hidden.For overall activity level, I'd have to go with Straws. But I have very active members of all species.

[Guest]

I also have active PP's, E's and Straws. But by far, I have to go with the Straws. Mine are always out during daytime hours and don't seem to care if I am watching them. I can clean their food mess and they just sit there and watch what I am doing (probably waiting for the fresh meal ) Most of the others seem to take off once the lid comes off, then come back out when the lid goes back on. I just enjoy them all for different reasons, I guess.

[kuplakrabs]

I think it has more to do with individual personalities as well. I have very active Indo's and very docile Straws. Most of my E's are also very active, but there are one or two that tend to hide quite often.

[KittyCaller]

Well, I'm the odd one out, I guess. With the exception of my Straws, "The Bruces," my PPs are the most active. Granted, the majority of my crabs are PPs, but they're still big on the climbing with varied personalities. The Es can be a lot of fun too (and Straws are a blast, but I don't recommend them for beginners) and Ruggies also, but my PPs are really very active and hardy.