A reader had emailed me about getting the wrong crab, what was it? They had received the Black back land crab instead, under the name "halloween crab". (Please see "Is your crab a Halloweener?)
This got us chatting for a while as I tried to do some research and help a fellow crabby lover out. He brought to my attention a german site that translated some information that I found quite useful, even if it was not 100% accurate.
I have shared this with you and would like to add a few alterations, such as the temperature range they list is 68-82 F. Id probably keep it 74-80 range since this is in a tank and not the wild, they cant dig as deep to escape heat. They also list that they do not need a water dish.
hm.
I highly disagree with this here. I think any living creature will benefit from a water source (even crickets and feeder bugs need water access such as crystals so they dont drown)
G. Lateralis may avoid bodies of water in the wild but I can bet they dig deep to find the water table. They use the substrates internal moisture to wet gills, but in captivity we can not always guaruntee there is enough internal moisture. I think you should always include a dish just in case. these creatures are not stupid, if the substrates dry they will seek water.
Other than those points i find this entry quite helpful and am glad the reader took the time to show me!
Before I leave this post id like to make a point of reminding you all how to research for your buddy.
Google search not just caresheets, but scientific blogs and articles, REAL RESEARCH papers. Look at 10, 15, 30 pages. There is no such thing as too much. Look up where these crabs live in the wild, then research those countries. These things give great insight as to how they live in the wild and what you should give them in return to replicate things like temperature and substrate.
I am currently working on two new posts after this, one of how i go about digging out the critters and cleaning, and just another photo update on the lovies. Hope you enjoy!!!
Showing posts with label Grecarcinus lateralis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grecarcinus lateralis. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Monday, April 16, 2012
Is your Crab a Halloweener? Common Mistaken Identities
This post is based on research of description, and probably photographic matches of 4 commonly confused crabs. One of which is an actual Halloween Moon Crab, the other three are of different species and even genus. These were chosen based on my opinion of which were confused the most in name, photo, description and locations.
Rainbow Crab (Cardisoma armatum)
This crab (and just recently I realized other species of Cardisoma) I see photographically confused with Halloween crabs most often. This crab is from the same family (Grecarcinidae) but a different Genus, Cardisoma.
This crab goes by Patriot crab, and Moon crab (confusionnn).
Far from Halloween crabs, these babies are from the coast of Western Africa. They can reach 7 inches wide on the carapace (back).
Color difference is that these crabs bodies are more blue/violet. The have whitish claws and underbody, red orange legs, and most notable other than the body; they have light eyes.
Purple Land Crab (Grecarcinus ruricola)
I include this crab because its in the same family as the two listed below (includes Halloween Crabs), and because the name has gotten mixed with Halloween Crab photos often.
Also goes by the name Zombie Crab and Black Land Crab.
This one is found in the Caribbean, Western Cuba, all the way to Eastern Barbados as well as other places here and there.
G. ruricola can reach around 5 inches wide on the carapace (back). They have multiple color morphs: Black, yellow, red, and green. As you can see in the photo they are very different from those two below, they are dark all over and do not have the large sections of bright colors. Rather, they are darker, with bright accents.
Blackback Land Crab (Grecarcinus lateralis)
This is the most commonly confused I have seen in person. Twice now in pet stores near me I have seen these advertised as Halloween Crabs.
These also go by the name Bermuda land Crab, and get confused with the Christmas Island red land crab. Also from the family Gecarcinidae, this crab is along the Atlantic coast from South Padre Island, Texas; to Venezuela. Also found in the Florida Keys and Caribbean. They stay mainly along the dry sands, 25 feet above high tide.
These crabs reach up to 4 and a half inches wide along the carapace (back). They're are mostly reddish, orange, or lighter all over, aside from the large black spot on their back. This spot varies in size and shape.
THIS IS A HALLOWEEN MOON CRAB (Grecarcinus quadratus)
This is the crab I have. Part of the family Gecarcinidae, along with G. ruricola and G. lateralis.
Also goes by the names halloween crab, moon crab, white spot crab.
This crab comes from the pacific coast from Mexico all the way to Peru, Mainly known as from Costa Rica. They live in mangroves, Rain forests, and along sand dunes.
Said to get to 2 inches wide along the body, but have heard up to 4.
Has a dark purple/black carapace (body), mostly purple claws, orange legs and lower body (leaning more towards red or yellow depending on male or female it is assumed)
Distinguishing accents are noted as BLACK eyes, with two red, orange, yellow, white, or even maroonish spots, one by each eye; as well as commonly a yellow or orange "mouth spot" or "mustache". and two white or yellowish spots on the lower back.
Rainbow Crab (Cardisoma armatum)
This crab (and just recently I realized other species of Cardisoma) I see photographically confused with Halloween crabs most often. This crab is from the same family (Grecarcinidae) but a different Genus, Cardisoma.
This crab goes by Patriot crab, and Moon crab (confusionnn).
Far from Halloween crabs, these babies are from the coast of Western Africa. They can reach 7 inches wide on the carapace (back).
Color difference is that these crabs bodies are more blue/violet. The have whitish claws and underbody, red orange legs, and most notable other than the body; they have light eyes.
Purple Land Crab (Grecarcinus ruricola)
I include this crab because its in the same family as the two listed below (includes Halloween Crabs), and because the name has gotten mixed with Halloween Crab photos often.
Also goes by the name Zombie Crab and Black Land Crab.
This one is found in the Caribbean, Western Cuba, all the way to Eastern Barbados as well as other places here and there.
G. ruricola can reach around 5 inches wide on the carapace (back). They have multiple color morphs: Black, yellow, red, and green. As you can see in the photo they are very different from those two below, they are dark all over and do not have the large sections of bright colors. Rather, they are darker, with bright accents.
Blackback Land Crab (Grecarcinus lateralis)
This is the most commonly confused I have seen in person. Twice now in pet stores near me I have seen these advertised as Halloween Crabs.
These also go by the name Bermuda land Crab, and get confused with the Christmas Island red land crab. Also from the family Gecarcinidae, this crab is along the Atlantic coast from South Padre Island, Texas; to Venezuela. Also found in the Florida Keys and Caribbean. They stay mainly along the dry sands, 25 feet above high tide.
These crabs reach up to 4 and a half inches wide along the carapace (back). They're are mostly reddish, orange, or lighter all over, aside from the large black spot on their back. This spot varies in size and shape.
THIS IS A HALLOWEEN MOON CRAB (Grecarcinus quadratus)
This is the crab I have. Part of the family Gecarcinidae, along with G. ruricola and G. lateralis.
Also goes by the names halloween crab, moon crab, white spot crab.
This crab comes from the pacific coast from Mexico all the way to Peru, Mainly known as from Costa Rica. They live in mangroves, Rain forests, and along sand dunes.
Said to get to 2 inches wide along the body, but have heard up to 4.
Has a dark purple/black carapace (body), mostly purple claws, orange legs and lower body (leaning more towards red or yellow depending on male or female it is assumed)
Distinguishing accents are noted as BLACK eyes, with two red, orange, yellow, white, or even maroonish spots, one by each eye; as well as commonly a yellow or orange "mouth spot" or "mustache". and two white or yellowish spots on the lower back.
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