🦀 BREEDING VAMPIRE CRABS FOR PROFIT - HOW TO BREED VAMPIRE CRABS

[@IndoorEcosystem]

❤Geosesarma Vampire Crab Species Posters Now Available: www.etsy.com/shop/IndoorEcosystem

[@kingwenceslas4225]

It’s purely my bet, but. … I would bet it’s temperature. Crocodiles and alligators are temperature sex sensitive

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@kingwenceslas4225 That seems to be the best theory at the moment though I wish i had more resources to really test it out. It would be great to figure it out because females are hard to come by a lot of the time.

[@alenaxp]

This is the video I was looking for ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you so much!

[@IndoorEcosystem]

You're very welcome :) if you have any more questions just let me know 👍

[@axjagfilms]

Thanks a lo- HOLY COW THAT’S A HECK TON OF BABIES! YOU’RE THE KING OF CRABS!!! Edit: also, I’ve had males of different species in the same tank before, and I was worried they would fight. But turns out, they were best bros and would even hang out in the same cave!

[@IndoorEcosystem]

It's way too many for this tank to be honest, but I'm selling them locally (slowly) so the numbers are going down. I don't have issues with fighting at the moment though as there are so many everyone is pretty social. It's more so that they eat the moss and plants faster than they can grow even when I have tons of food for them. They have a strange social system where some males accept others in their territory whilst they refuse others entirely. I think they have quite complex little clans going 😂

[@logangrimnar3800]

1:28 male crab: fights every other crab in the tank over the last female, mates with her, then throws her out too. Sigma crab is rocking that grindset.

[@IndoorEcosystem]

🤣 They all roll the same set!

[@jameshowlett1797]

@IndoorEcosystem You're the best! I share your videos anytime Anyone asks about my crabs.. (AND even sometimes if they havent...) 🤣

[@jameshowlett1797]

You've helped reassure me a lot and when my borneo tricolor babies get bigger I'd love to send you a bunch of footage to use at your discretion! Thanks again for everything you do for the communities information!

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Thanks man! I really, really appreciate it! KZbin is a bit of a rough gig sometimes! So all the sharing makes a big difference!

[@IndoorEcosystem]

You're most welcome! I might take you up on that offer at some stage!

[@IndoorEcosystem]

✅ Thanks for watching! ♥ Don't forget to Like & Subscribe!

[@rgilroy1909]

temperature plays a huge factor in determining male vs female offspring. just like in chickens, fish and other crustaceans

[@chestermason1321]

One of the best videos, if not the best video, on vampire crabs. Perfect. Spot on!!

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Thank you! Thats one hell of a compliment! 😁

[@sydneysangels]

Excellent macro footage of those crabs! This makes me want to get some now haha

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Thank you 🙂I really enjoy getting macro shots, but man you have to be patient! and having a steady hand is tough! I've missed some funny interactions by not having my camera ready every time I check the tank.

[@sydneysangels]

@@IndoorEcosystem I've missed some really cool things too when I didn't have my camera ready!!

[@harryfenzlein443]

I can not wait to get into the hobby!!! NJ guy here!

[@IndoorEcosystem]

It's a nice hobby to be in 😉 Good choice!

[@codythecoffinwizard]

“Our secrets finally revealed, top 10 things breeders don’t want you to know!” 😂

[@IndoorEcosystem]

"quickly updates title" 🤣

[@HAMBURGER-s1l]

Fantastic video...lookin to raise some in the future....thanks for all the info...liked and subscribed. Keep rockin. Alligators/crocs get their off springs gender via temperature...I will go with temperature.

[@IndoorEcosystem]

I hope someone studies it at some stage its quite interesting. I'm only speculating at this stage so it could be totally wrong.

[@coalbear1]

Temperature and population density determines sex ratio in all fish and reptile studies I have come across.

[@benannen2431]

Great Video and Channel Mate. Thanks for Sharing. The Paludarium Looks awesome🎉

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Cheers! Thanks very much for the comment! It's all still a work in progress but I've pretty much nailed the breeding side of things! Once they get comfortable they don't stop!

[@ruhimakin]

Really Informative Vid. Keep up the good work👍

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Cheers thanks for the comment 😊

[@ProfJCsCritters]

Are juvies as (potentially) aggressive? And if not, at what age (approx. developmental stage) will males start showing aggression/territoriality?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

They are friendly with each other up until about 9 months for the most part. Just the odd scuffle here and there and the move on. But I've noticed now getting close to the 1 year mark the males are roaming looking for territory and females so are more hostile. Females are very passive though. Yet to see any aggression at all from them.

[@ProfJCsCritters]

@@IndoorEcosystem Thank you! That is very good to know.

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@ProfJCsCritters no problem 😊

[@ArjanKop]

Interesting question. Crabs basically have an XY-system like our own and they are not known to have their sexes influenced by environmental factors, but then again there is quite a lot we don’t know.

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Awesome info! I'm really curious on figuring out a little bit more about it because I've had some really big numbers and the 90% of males vs females was really heavy either way. Once instance was 90% males the other was 90% females. Differerent times of the year as well.

[@ArjanKop]

@@IndoorEcosystem this asks for a few controlled experiments 😉

[@justGoron]

Hey! We just spoke on reddit, that's such an awesome tank! Is that a beaver skull? Super cool :)

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Cheers! Thanks for stopping by! It sure is a beaver skull, I randomly found it while walking in the forest one day.

[@garytorres1435]

Do the crabs need like small caves for them to hide or do they make their own burrows or hideout's

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Both works best. Early on they hide where they can fit. Then when they get a bit bigger they start to dig little wholes. The adults do the same but soil is super important as they will all hide underground.

[@Lizardman-d5j]

What temperature do you breed them at? My house is usually 72-74 degrees fahrenheit (USA) and I want to breed them. Should I get a heater for the water as well?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

They breed throughout their required temperature ranges you don't need to aim for any specific temps inside of those. Unless you have a massive tank one Heater is perfectly fine.

[@Lizardman-d5j]

@@IndoorEcosystem Thanks for the info!

[@sasikafish]

brothor , is adding normal garden soil , riverstones ok?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Yep! So long as the soil doesn't have fertilizers or poisons in it. That's pretty much what I use all the time. River stones work well too I use them a lot as well

[@sasikafish]

@@IndoorEcosystem are ok , dont have fertilizrs . i asked because it becomes muddy . is it ok for the crabs

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@sasikafish they like it wet so long as it doesn't get into your water and cause nutrient spikes you're all good

[@shannarafryer3111]

Would an 18x18x18 be a good tank to breed/grow out in? Should I have a backup female just in case?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

I assume 18x18x18 inches?! If so that's a good size. 18x18x18cm is way too small though. I wouldn't go any smaller than a 40x25x25cm tank for these crabs and only keep 3 in that size. 1 male 2 females. It would also need to be super super dense. The biggest issue is cannibalism once the babies are born so you would need a second tank for the adults or the babies depending on how you want to do it. If you only want one tank I would suggest 3 crabs in a 60x30x30cm tank. If you plant it really densely the babies would have a lot less problem with cannibalism. The trick is to make sure the water line and water area very detailed.

[@shannarafryer3111]

@@IndoorEcosystem Yes sorry it’s 18 inches, I always forget to indicate whether it’s in or cm. Thank you, I’ll have 2 separate tanks to lower risks

[@yuwinwong5844]

Thank you for the video. May I know can I mix 2 type of crab in a tank?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

No problem ☺Mixing crab types is the NUMBER 1 no with vampire crabs. They will kill eachother. I have videos on that as well. You need a different tank for each species otherwise they will kill eachother until only one type is left.

[@riccardocarraro6911]

What happen if I have one female and 2 male all with different colours? Do they breed and the babies have a mixed colour? How do you manage this?

[@schilling3003]

How do you catch the adults? I hardly see them, and have never been able to catch them.

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Lure them to the water section with food is the best method. Then scoop them up. It requires some patience though. They are slower in the water and easier to catch. If you can't get the adults you can use a spoon to scoop up the babies. I chase them onto a spoon using a chopstick. Don't try to use your hands for the babies you'll squish them.

[@clairvoyantdetails8423]

Will crabs eat the 'prepackaged' dried moss? I heard its not even real moss and dyed too. Or do they 'know' not to eat it? Cant imagine it being good for them, I have a ton of that type of moss (decorative) moss in my paladarium, I can only find 2/4 of my crabs lol, been there for months now

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Nope that stuff is horrible I would avoid it at all costs. I hear some of it is even painted green! They are probably still alive they are super shy especially the females I find it best to check really late at night with a small torch. Just sneaky up on them 😅

[@clairvoyantdetails8423]

@@IndoorEcosystem lol my whole enclosure is covered in the dried moss but I have a lot of Java moss everywhere too

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@clairvoyantdetails8423 java moss is great you can use it on the land section as well but that dried stuff is weird. You might have got a good type but all the ones I've seen around the place are nasty!! 😂

[@clairvoyantdetails8423]

sadly it would be near impossible for me to take it out :(

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@clairvoyantdetails8423 If all is going well I would just leave it until you are ready for a new build. There's always something new to learn! Trust me!

[@dougandersonza]

Hi. What Temps do you keep them at for breeding and growing (if different). Tx 👊

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@dougandersonza hello, I just keep them within their normal temperature ranges, nothing special. It's usually a few degrees up or down over a 24hr period.

[@dougandersonza]

@@IndoorEcosystem and what is that temp? I have never kept them before 🤣👊

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@dougandersonza if you haven't kept them before checkout my full guide in the care guide playlist 😊 it's and older video but essential! I cover everything including temps and water parameters etc

[@dougandersonza]

@@IndoorEcosystem thanks 👊

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@dougandersonza No problem 🙂

[@ReeseGaming2023]

can i use 3 gallon tank or its small for them for breeding?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Good for babies to grow up in but too small for breeding. They fight a lot in small spaces. They'll more than likely kill each other or be very stressed in that space.

[@tanjohnpaul6366]

Hi i hope you can answer my question or give some insight, i currently have 6 female and 4 male in a 20 gallon tank what are the chances they will reproduce

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Pretty much 100% as long as there's a lot of places to hide. Density it key for everything with these crabs :)

[@tanjohnpaul6366]

@@IndoorEcosystem can you elaborate on that i would love to show you a pic of my set up

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@tanjohnpaul6366 It needs to have tons and tons of places to hide. Plants rocks soil wood moss leaves branches etc. Soil to burrow in is important for the females to hide in. The rest is to give the babies a chance to survive once they are born.

[@tanjohnpaul6366]

@@IndoorEcosystem thanks, I'll try my best since it's my first time hope I'll succeed

[@GoldenOrangeStudios]

My crabbies had babies, and i got them 3 months ago!

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Nice work! They breed like rabbits once they get going! If they don't eat all the babies that is!

[@BenjisBees]

Pls help me. My crabs will be arriving tomorrow and I just spotted planaria. What would you do? :o

[@BenjisBees]

I am really panicking

[@IndoorEcosystem]

I haven't dealt with planaria and crabs yet but I'd be guessing they will be an issue just like they are with shrimp. I tried to find some information but haven't had any luck. For shrimp I usually use a product called no planaria which works amazingly well but it can kill certain snails like nerites and mystery snails. How it would affect vampire crabs I'm not sure. You will probably have to dose your tank and keep the crabs in a couple of temporary containers etc until the dose is complete. Then do a full water drain and run some carbon in a filter for a few days to clear any left over traces. Unless someone else someone else knows if no planaria is vampire crab safe.

[@BenjisBees]

@@IndoorEcosystem thank you very much! So I guess I will need to try no planaria, since I just have no active filter, just a pump and the water is also running through some plants rocks and humus where planaria could still live.

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@BenjisBees I can't think of any other way than a chemical dose that would work. The alternative is to start from scratch with new everything. Just watch some videos on treating planaria and using No Planaria and you should have a better understanding of it all. I've used it 3 time for shrimp without but have no experience with using it and crabs.

[@TrueMelonLord]

There are traps for planaria it won’t wipe them out but it will make sure there are less of them

[@KimKampKruse]

Thx for the video. So I got 32 babies, but over the weekend more than half of them died. I seperated them from the adults. Took them over in a small container and fed them fish food. Fish flakes. I dont have other ways of feeding them. I have changede their water a coupple of times and cleaned everything, but they still died. This morning a found 3 more dead. I need to know what I am doing wrong. I really hate to see those tiny creatures die. So can you please help me?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Sorry to hear :( My first guess would be temperature and humidity. Did you have your new enclosure set to the same or a similar temperature with a high level of humidity? The babies are insanely good at climbing (even glass) so a good lid is a must. Next would be the soil and water access. Babies will spend a lot of time in and around the water as they grow and molt a lot. So the water needs to be warm. For the soil, anything organic is ok Some dry spots and some set spots work well. Then it's a really good idea to have a lot of moss and dead leaves and other stuff you find on the forest floor They will pick at this stuff as food. So the fish food is an extra little addition. I have noticed that babies are big fans of eating springtails as well. I find a peice of boiled zucchini or carrot is a great thing as well because the crabs will eat it and the springtails as well. This means the babies have easy access to springtails in a big group.

[@KimKampKruse]

@@IndoorEcosystem It sounds like I should redo my setup. The temp is between 23-26 °C. Is that around 75 °F. I think. But I put in some aquarium sand and tiny rocks. Made a puddle in the middle with 1-2 cm water depth. Droplet running one the side of the container with a fast lid on top. I don't think humidity or temp is a problem. But maybe lack of food. I didn't put in any leaves or mos or dirt. I got a culture of springtails I can ad. If food is the issus then I feel really bad :-( So Ill redo. Ill add leaves, moss, some spagnum, springtails, wood chips maybe? And for food source boiled smashed carrots? What other types of food can you advise?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

​@@KimKampKruse Add as much random moss and wood and leaves as you can that will help a lot. then drop the springtails in. The more complex the better. I use moss straight from the forest just give it a shake for any bigger bugs then put it straight in. Whatever is in there is fine. But dpeending on where you live you may want to quarantine for dangerouse spider ect. As for foods I find boilded carrot, potato, cabbage, spinach, pumpkin in small cubes is best. Just put a few around the tank and they will find it easily enough.

[@KimKampKruse]

@@IndoorEcosystem Just want to say thank you for your fast advise. Im living in Denmark, scandinavia. I read here and there that some suggests that oak/magnolia leaves could be poisinous. Are they? Got plenty of them in the garden so it would make it easy for me. How often would you be feeding them? Do you change food every day or maybe once every week? Should lid be closed all the time or would they require air breathing holes?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@KimKampKruse No problem! I've been using oak leaves in my tanks for a long time, aquariums paludariums and terrariums without any issues. They are dead leaves off the forest floor though. Never anything green. I don't have any experience with magnolia leaves though. I'm in Poland so not too far away so whatever forest moss you have there will baiscally be the same as here. You can boil any leaves for 5 minutes just to be sure but I don't bother for my crabs. Just my fish. Mostly to get rid of any dirt etc. But the crabs don't mind. As for the lid I have mine closed all the time but I have a small mesh strip along the top that allows air to pass through. Its quite small but enough to let air in and keep humidity nice and high.

[@Spacey7]

Can the females live together? Do they need heated water?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Females are generally way more peaceful and social than males. As for the heated water you do need to have it heated. Standard aquarium heaters do the job well. Or you can use a heat mat

[@Spacey7]

@@IndoorEcosystem Thank you. Fascinating little creatures & beautiful too 😊

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@Spacey7 You're welcome 🙂

[@bongjamesbong00420]

Please help I found my vampire crabs look like they were mating then when the male left the female was just laying on her back motionless as if she was dead her stomach was also still open her legs are still intact but she's just not moving at all please help

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Shes's probably dead. This happens quite often sadly. Just wait 12 or so hours and if nothing has changed she's gone sadly.

[@bongjamesbong00420]

@@IndoorEcosystem it look like they were just fine and then she just stopped moving and had her bottom abdomen wide open none of her legs were missing she simply stopped moving. Do you have any idea why this happens?

[@Alan-er9xi]

Thanks for the very helpful info. Do you do anything special to control the pH of the water. And do you try to aim for slightly harder or slightly softer water.

[@IndoorEcosystem]

My tap water sits on 8PH straight out of the tap so I don't have to do anything at all and its stable at that rate. If you have acidic water you can add minerals to give it a boost. The same stuff you would use for shrimp works well. Alternatively, you can add things like crushed coral etc.

[@mellanielashley3919]

Is it safe to put all males together if you have mostly males ,are they still going fight even if there's no female?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

They like to fight regardless of any females being around. They like their own space. If you've got plenty space for them fighting won't be a major issue. From my experience they don't go actively looking for fights. They just fight anyone who enters there territory. If they can they just chase them off but when there's not much space they will fight.

[@mellanielashley3919]

@@IndoorEcosystem thank you so much

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@mellanielashley3919 No problem 🙂

[@janankhan3235]

At what age/month do you advise they are suitable to be sold?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@janankhan3235you can sell them whenever. But I usually do once I see them get about half their colour. It's not really about time.

[@greenfingersofcecilia]

Do they interbreed?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

It's possible but 99% of the time they'll kill different species before it happens. That's why it's highly advised never to mix them. It's just battle royal carnage.

[@gators531]

Awesome video👍👍

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Thank you! 😊

[@TheChocolateflute]

Hi! awesome video btw. I want to ask if you know if Vampire crabs can cross-breed with another species name of vampire crabs?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

They can but most of the time they usually just kill each other. I had a hybrid batch but most came out brown or just the same colours as their parents. It's not worth any of the chaos and slaughter that comes of mixing.

[@animalsindo]

👍GOOD, Amazing and fantastic 😘😍

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Thank you so much 😀

[@shalomsanbi]

I hear temperature will affect many land animals, maybe there’s a range

[@IndoorEcosystem]

That's my suspicion as well though I'm yet to have the ability to test it properly. Would be cool to do at some stage.

[@Baka.senpai.]

Can I just keep females together?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Yes but females have a high chance of coming "per mated" as they can store sperm so it might not save you from having babies. But they are highly cannibalistic so you won't be overloaded with crabs.

[@Spacey7]

In some reptile eggs the temperature is the deciding factor for the sex of the young.

[@IndoorEcosystem]

This is one of the reasons I'm so curious.

[@Vesperele]

I was foolish and didn’t check the sexes of my VC’s when they arrived, one did die within a day or so possibly from stress he just didn’t move from his spot until he was passed :( but the others seem to be alright. What I think is a female has spent all her time in an underwater cave and only has one arm now so either preggers or I mistook the sex and dude had a scrap but I’m hoping for pregnant cause I haven’t seen her much except the odd poke out of the cave to pick at the sand. Wish me luck!

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Sounds like you've had quite the eventful first introduction to VC's 😂. It sounds like you might have a female, they have way smaller claws with less of a bulge in them. Don't stress too much about the missing claws etc they grow back. Just keep feeding them well and put some food near their hiding hole so they don't have to venture out too much. The last pregnant female I had I only ever saw 2 times in a month. All I could see was her legs sticking out from under a rock so I knew she was still alive.

[@Vesperele]

@@IndoorEcosystem yeah! Often all I see is the legs poking out and I’m like if you’re curious come see, but even the sight of me sends her speeding back under. I’ll drop her something tonight when I get in, at the moment there’s some chopped up carrot bits but I think she struggles with one claw or doesn’t like them

[@kenjiro2676]

Maybe they need to be shipped in the same manner tarantulas are shipped. In small pull shaped container lined with paper towels or sphagnum moss, this way they aren’t being shoved around.

[@IndoorEcosystem]

The problem is that they also need a certain amount of water/moisture with them as well otherwise the die. It's a tricky situation that no one seems to have figured out a solution for. I think trying to immobalise a crab like that would also cause major stresses.

[@introvertedAF94]

I’m so disappointed 😢 I ordered two crabs from about two hrs away, they shipped them to me but they arrived dead. Think they had too many heat packs and they got cooked 😭

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Man that sucks! Shipping them is really hit and miss. I hope they have a refund policy or something to help you out.

[@Neosin1]

Sex = Due to temperature, it applies to almost all aquatic creatures! The reasoning is because warmer = more favourable conditions for food = more males colder = species needs to survive so natural instinct is to reproduce as much as possible = more females

[@IndoorEcosystem]

I was curious if this was the same for these crabs are they are semi aquatic and spend most of their time on land. Now to figure out the temp ranges for each.

[@Neosin1]

@@IndoorEcosystem Colder = longer incubation times, more females. Warmer = faster incubation time, more males. I breed, fish/shrimp/crays and this rule generally applies

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@Neosin1 I'm going to have to try to keep track of things moving forward.

[@Neosin1]

@@IndoorEcosystem Just curious, what's the lowest temp you've kept these crabs in?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@Neosin1 really hard to say to be honest. Each tank has a heater in it, either aquatic or a heat mat. I have them set to 25c and the tank lights also add some heat during their on time. Random checks early on put the air temps between 23-29 at random times. Usually cooler at night. But these heaters never keep anything super stable so it's easily possible things have gone down as low as 18 which is about as cold as it would get indoors in winter overnight. I don't check regularly any more and turn the heaters off entirely once spring comes around and indoor temps are always in the 20s.

[@Aidan919]

Temperature affects the gender of neocaridina shrimplets so that could be the cause for these guys too.

[@IndoorEcosystem]

I think so to, I'm just curious at what temperatures causes males and what females. Certain an interesting thing to find out.

[@Aidan919]

@IndoorEcosystem yeah luckily those numbers are pretty well known in the shrimp hobby, interested to hear your results.

[@IndoorEcosystem]

@@Aidan919 Sadly I lack the space time and equipment to run an experiment to find the exact numbers! But it is something I hope to look into at some stage!

[@MrTotalswag]

It definitely could be environmental. But maybe the females intentionally spawn alternating genders of young each spawn , is it a reoccurring problem you’re running into ?

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Also a possibility but I haven't got any isolated pairs at the moment to check this over a longer period. But it is a valid possibility to check at some stage