Crab ID assistance needed

**kradeij** · 17th May 2015, 19:11

Appreciate if someone can help to ID this crab.

Thanks!

DSC00130 (800x534).jpg DSC00132 (800x534).jpg

**Urban Aquaria** · 17th May 2015, 21:47

Based on the tall eye stalks and equal sized claws... maybe it's a female fiddler crab?

**kradeij** · 17th May 2015, 22:34

Originally Posted by Urban Aquaria

Based on the tall eye stalks and equal sized claws... maybe it's a female fiddler crab?

Thanks UA, but I don't think this is a fiddler crab because both of this little guy's claws are significantly larger than the other one that I have. Also from the tank in LFS where I bought them from, the distinction between male & females seems to be larger claws (on both "hands") for the male and smaller claws for the female.

I was told by the LFS that this little fella can survive fully submerged in an aquarium and initially thought that this is a Thai Micro Crab (which turn out not to be the case). Now trying to get an ID to have a peace of mind.

**Urban Aquaria** · 17th May 2015, 23:04

Originally Posted by kradeij

Thanks UA, but I don't think this is a fiddler crab because both of this little guy's claws are significantly larger than the other one that I have. Also from the tank in LFS where I bought them from, the distinction between male & females seems to be larger claws (on both "hands") for the male and smaller claws for the female.

I was told by the LFS that this little fella can survive fully submerged in an aquarium and initially thought that this is a Thai Micro Crab (which turn out not to be the case). Now trying to get an ID to have a peace of mind.

I guess those are the ones from Seaview that are sold in plastic cups? Some forumers have also bought and kept those crabs too (though they keep them in tanks with partial land area, or at least with some access to the water surface).

From previous discussions, it seems those crabs are imported from china or something. It would be good to do some further research on them. Do post your findings if you discover any info.

**Allesgut** · 18th May 2015, 01:43

this is young Cardisoma Armatum (sorry, link is to russian language site, but pics are copyrighted, but you can google it by name Cardisoma Armatum)

**lucasjiang** · 18th May 2015, 11:25

Could you take a photo of the underside of the crab? That might help in ID

**kradeij** · 18th May 2015, 21:49

Some additional picts - hopefully this helps.

DSC00165 (1280x853).jpg DSC00159 (1280x856).jpg DSC00143 (1280x854).jpg
It's next to impossible trying to take a picture of their underside without catching them!

Here's a picture of the (suspected) female, the claws are much smaller than the other one.
DSC00156 (1280x853).jpg

Guppy decides to photo-bomb.
DSC00158 (1280x853).jpg

**Allesgut** · 18th May 2015, 22:58

guppy color is amazing!

**Clamence** · 19th May 2015, 20:32

Hi bro, if u are unsure of whether these crabs are fully aquatic, i guess the best way to tell is to place in a tank with land and water area and see if the crab leaves the water or not.