Chucholl C., Marble crayfish Procambarus fallax forma virginalis, CC BY-SA 3.0
Important: The trade, breeding and propagation of marble crayfish is prohibited in Germany with a few exceptions, as it is an invasive species.
marble crabs, Procambarus fallax forma virginalisgrow to about 15 centimeters and have powerful claws.
Crayfish are prone to cannibalism, especially in the young after molting. However, many marble crab keepers report that their marble crabs do not eat each other. The young are not eaten either.
Marble crabs eat plants in large quantities. Only hard plants such as java ferns are not eaten that much. However, there are also reports that java ferns in particular are eaten with pleasure. Some marble crabs dig up plants and eat the fine roots. An aquarium with marble crabs is therefore usually plantless. Even roots and coconuts are eaten. Ramshorn and tower snails are also eaten. Tower snails are dug out of the ground.
Marble crabs climb out of the aquarium and crawl several meters on dry land. In doing so, they exploit every gap in coverage. They survive at least 2 hours without water and have been found as far as 15 meters from the aquarium.
Crabs found out of water should be slowly returned to the water, keeping them just below the surface until they submerge themselves.
If a crab is hiding out on dry land and cannot be grabbed, place a tray filled with water near the hiding place and wait in the dark. Marble crabs sense the water with their feelers and come out of hiding relatively quickly if they can.
propagation / breeding
Important: Breeding and reproduction of marbled crabs is prohibited as it is an invasive species
Marble crabs can fertilize themselves. A single animal is sufficient to have offspring. The reproduction rate is extremely high.
At first, carrying marble crabs always walk around with their rear part slightly rolled up and constantly fanning. Later retreat into caves or under roots. Sometimes the animals dig holes themselves, for example under larger stones. The interior and the opening of the cave are stuffed with leaves, eg bitten off Java fern leaves. During the breeding season, the crabs rarely come out of the cave. The crabs do not eat while they are carrying their young. According to one report, it took about 12 days for about 80 small, fully developed crabs to hatch. Large females can also carry 200 young.
The mother animal operates a kind of brood care. Towards evening the little ones initially seek shelter under their mother’s tail. After about 4 days, the little ones become more and more independent and grow very strongly. The mother does not pursue the young. On the contrary, the young climb onto the mother. Everywhere the little ones crawl around on the big one. Only when it comes to food does the mother show no mercy. During the gestation period, the mother did not accept any food.
The offspring like to hide in thickets of plants. If there are enough hiding spots, enough crabs will get through. As a rule, marble crabs multiply explosively.
From day one, the young eat normal flake food. Almost any food is eaten. Flake food, frozen food, live food, food tablets, frozen peas and, of course, plants and algae of all kinds. In a normal tank, you won’t starve, even without special feeding. once they figure out how to crack ramshorn snails, you’re guaranteed to have none left in your tank.
Reproduction may be limited if kept in a tank with turtles.
Under no circumstances expose marble crabs to nature
Under no circumstances should marble crabs be released in nature. On the one hand, they can carry a pathogen that can infect the native crustaceans. On the other hand, they multiply unchecked and thereby cause great damage to nature.
The larvae of the crabs are only 1-2 mm in size. If some of these larvae are sucked in during the water change, they could make it out of the sewers and into nature. They are extremely robust and can survive without water for days.
Even adult animals should not be flushed down the toilet because they can survive and get into nature.
Last but not least, according to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, §64 17. contrary to § 33 Paragraph 4 Clause 1, it is at least an administrative offense to release non-resident animals in the wild without the necessary approval from the nature conservation authority.
marble crabs: