Red Burrowing Crab (Uca sp.)
Compatibility and Behavior
The Red Burrowing Crab is a bit of a mystery, and we’ll be upfront about that: its exact identity and scientific name are still unknown, though they appear to be female Flameback Fiddler Crabs (Uca flammula) or Thicklegged Fiddler Crabs (Uca crassipes), both found in bays, estuaries, marshes, and sand flats across the Indo-Pacific. Whatever the precise species, it’s a charming little crab, bright reddish-orange with a roughly square body and contrasting dark eyestalks, undersides, and mandibles. In the tank it burrows into the base of rockwork and behaves as a scavenger, working over leftover food and perhaps some algae, and it can be target-fed meaty items. Despite its intertidal origins in the wild, it appears to survive well in full saltwater, which makes it an easygoing little addition to a reef or FOWLR setup.
Aquarium Requirements
This is an undemanding scavenger. It spends its time burrowing at the base of rockwork, so give it stable structure to dig beneath, and round out whatever it finds on its own with target-fed meaty items. One practical heads-up: these are capable climbers, so make sure the tank’s openings are secured, since they’ve been known to make their way out of an uncovered tank.
Specifications
Approximate Size: 0.5–1"
Diet: Scavenger; leftover food and possibly some algae, supplemented with target-fed meaty items
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Moderate
Reef Safe: (not specified in draft, please confirm)
Temperament: Peaceful scavenger
Special Considerations: A capable climber that has been known to escape an uncovered tank, so keep the openings secured.
Pairs well with
Red Burrowing Crab (Uca sp.)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.