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More than 1,300 described species of freshwater crabs are known, out of a total of 6,700 species of crabs across all environments. [1] The total number of species of freshwater crabs, including undescribed species, is thought to be up to 65% higher, potentially up to 2,155 species, although most of the additional species are currently unknown to science. [1]
Crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura (meaning "short tail" in Greek), which typically have a very short projecting tail-like abdomen, usually hidden entirely under the thorax. [ a ] They live in all the world's oceans, in freshwater , and on land .
Eggs require pure salt water to mature. Larvae hatch from the eggs in brackish waters. The larvae gradually move from brackish water to fresh water. The final stage of the larvae is the megalopa, which is 3–4 millimeters (1 ⁄ 8 – 5 ⁄ 32 in) in length. The megalopa then develop into small mitten crabs in the freshwater. [11]
Most crustaceans are aquatic, living in either marine or freshwater environments, but a few groups have adapted to life on land, such as terrestrial crabs, terrestrial hermit crabs, and woodlice. Marine crustaceans are as ubiquitous in the oceans as insects are on land.
The fiddler crabs sold in pet stores generally come from brackish water lagoons. Because they live in lower salinity water, pet stores may call them fresh-water crabs, but they cannot survive indefinitely in fresh water. [37] Fiddler crabs have been known to attack small fish in captivity, as opposed to their natural feeding habits. [38]
These versatile crabs live in freshwater rivers and streams throughout South Africa, where they are an important part of the ecosystem. The crabs are food for reptiles, mammals, birds, and fish.
Potamon fluviatile is a freshwater crab found in or near wooded streams, rivers and lakes in Southern Europe. It is an omnivore with broad ecological tolerances, and adults typically reach 50 mm (2 in) in size during their 10–12 year lifespan. They inhabit burrows and are aggressive, apparently outcompeting native crayfish.
Small, colorful, and a lover of habitats with sandy substrates, Red-clawed Crabs are some of the best aquarium pets that aren’t fish. Also known as Mangrove Crabs or Red Crabs, these clawed ...