Sand Sifting Crabs??

howze01 · Oct 30, 2011

These just look like the little crabs I used to catch on the beach when I was a kid. Sand Crabs, Mole Crabs I've head them called different things. Anyone have any experience with them? They look pretty cool but I don't want to add something that needs temperate water or something.

http://www.reefs2go.com/product/INV_CR_SS/Sand-Sifting-Crab.html

Thanks for any help anyone can provide!!

Jonathan

downbeach · Oct 30, 2011

We call them sand flea's.

AJ1080 · Oct 30, 2011

+1 Following along.I always see these on the beach.

Hawkeye · Oct 30, 2011

more than you ever wanted to know about them:
http://fishingdestinguide.com/baitSANDFLEAS.html

fwiw they are inter-tidal species and filter feed. They would die rather quickly in most tanks in my opinion for lack of food. Cool little critters though for the kids to mess around with if they're bored with the surf.

howze01 · Oct 30, 2011

Great info Phil. Good enough for me, no sand sifting crabs! Guess it's up to the Pistols and Nassarius.

Hawkeye · Oct 30, 2011

I decided to google more on sand fleas/mole crabs. I read here: http://www.beachconnection.net/news/mcrab050807_0253.htm that they live for only 18 months (max). I'd guess the website would only sell you the adult ones - which means maybe 6~12 months lifespan (if they had enough to eat).

You could use cerith snails (shifts sandbed by burrowing), fighting conches and I guess scarlet hermits. A sandsifting star will eat everything that's alive in the sandbed- but if you're running a shallow bed then I guess no big deal. It's a controversial invert for sure. Mini serpent stars may also help round out the crew. Nassarius are like ceriths - burrowing helps to stir the sand.

Probably the best invert and one designed to clean sand is the sea cucumber. For our fish tanks though it'***** or miss keeping them alive. Plus they are ugly. lol.

howze01 · Oct 30, 2011

I'm pretty sure the package I'm looking at on Reefcleaners has Cerith so that's good. I have a Fighting Conch now or at least I did, haven't seen it in a month or 2. No Hermit Crabs in the new tank, going snail only for the CUC. I'm sure a Sand Sifting Star would do well but my Harlequins may have something to say about that. I have been considering a Cucumber but it seems like they get kind of big for my tank and, like yousaid, they can be hit or miss.

Thanks for all the info. I just saw something that might be a pretty cool addition to my CUC and I'm glad I asked around a bit!

downbeach · Oct 31, 2011

"UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU ADD "SAND-SIFTING" ANIMALS SUCH AS BURROWING SEA STARS OR SOME GOBIES." Ron Shimek.

A good read here:

http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html

Hawkeye · Oct 31, 2011

Dr. Ron is great - I wish he had come to MACNA in AC. I would just say i'm not sure if howze has a deep sand bed or not.