Florida Blue Crabs, Procambarus alleniwill also Bmild Florida lobster called. With scissors they grow to about 10 centimeters. During the growth phase they molt more frequently, later less often. After moulting, they are soft as butter and cannot even stand on their own two feet, let alone flee quickly. They should not be socialized with aggressive other animals. They can be socialized with all somewhat calmer fish. They could also be socialized with the lively C. barbatus.
However, Procambarus alleni can also be dangerous for fish and other aquarium inhabitants. A socialization can go well. In the long term, socialization does not necessarily go well. According to one report, Procambarus alleni killed all the fish that were in the aquarium.
Another aquarist could not observe any active readjustment. However, smaller fish that came too close to the crabs also had to pay there. The fin filaments of Sturisoma and Farlowella seemed to suffer somewhat, but this could not be attributed to the crabs with certainty.
Tower snails, plate snails and large apple snails were not bothered. However, a small apple snail was attacked by a female crab.
Some Procambarus alleni like to break out of the aquarium. Normal covers are simply pushed up. Other specimens remain in the aquarium. Possibly the wanderlust depends on the aquarium size. They seem to escape less often or not at all from larger aquariums.
© Franziska Klaß / Blue Florida Crab
Florida blue crabs eat plants. Therefore, each plant should be surrounded by a protective fence. Anubias, waterweed, vallisneria and willow-leaved water friend are at least not eaten by all animals. Pennywort and hornwort are nibbled on.
For 2 Florida crabs, the aquarium should be at least 60 centimeters in size. An 80 centimeter aquarium for 2 animals is ideal. Only one pair can be put together. A second female can possibly be added, but never a second male.
The aquarium should be set up with roots, stones, as well as coconut and clay caves. Sufficient shelters, burrows and caves are important because they like to sit protected and can retreat there to molt.
The water values are rather irrelevant. The water shouldn’t be too soft because they need some lime for the tank. With a carbonate hardness of approx. 2dKH they get along very well. It is important that the water is clean and rich in oxygen. The temperature can be between 18 and 26°C.
The crabs go for a walk and look for food, but otherwise behave relatively calmly. The crabs are sexually mature at around 6 centimeters in size. The mating of the animals looks brutal.
Almost everything they can get their hands on is eaten. Tablets, flakes, granules, pellets, greens, mosquito larvae and plants.