Does Red Claw Crab need sand?

Hello, and this is my first post on here, and I am not a fish expert, but, I do know quite a bit. I recently got 2 red claw crabs in my 10 gal. Freshwater tank, and they are doing just fine. Although, one of them keeps climbing up the air tube attached to my led volcano, and it even goes in the filter sometimes. I blocked off the top with a towel so they can't escape, but I was wondering why it does that. I also have rocks/aquarium gravel in the tank, but I heard they need sand. Are they fine without it, because mine are fine. Finally, I heard they need brackish water, but I have other fish in the tank (they are all compatible), so I don't wanna end up killing the other fish by changing the water. The water is up to the top with a little space, at most 1 inch, at the very top, because I need room for the fish to swim.

list of fish I have:
-Blue glofish tetra
-5 black skirt tetras
-Zebrafish
-Red fire wag platy
-3 neon tetras
-2 black neon tetras
-Dalmatian molly
-Golden molly
-Panda Catfish
-Emerald Cory catfish
-Rainbow shark
-2 red claw crabs
-Japanese Algae Eater Shrimp (he always hides)

 

Welcome to FishLore! Red claw crabs need brackish water to survive long term, and they also need some way to climb out of the water. I'd return them or set up a tank for just the crabs if possible. You've also got some other stocking issues with the fish.

 

I have a tiny tank that I used for my old crayfish, only about 1-2 gallons, but it has no filtration or anything. Just a carry-case. The worker at the fish store said they were compatible. Would these fish survive if I added a little salt to make it brackish? If so, what salt should I use?

 

No, none of the fish could survive in a brackish setup. I don't know too much about red claw crabs, so I couldn't tell you exactly what setup they need, but they should definitely not be in a freshwater community. Also, a 10 gallon tank is too small for most of the fish you have listed. For example, mollies need at least 29 gallons because of how much waste they produce. And several of the fish also need to be in larger numbers to prevent them from being stressed.

 

When I went to the pet store to buy the fish, they said that the tank size was fine, and the groups are fine. I have had most for a few months, one for almost a year, and everything else for a couple of weeks. No problems at all. I will ask the fish store about brackish water for the crabs. Thanks for the help. P.S. thanks for the welcome, I forgot to put that. Sorry

 

Hello, and this is my first post on here, and I am not a fish expert, but, I do know quite a bit. I recently got 2 red claw crabs in my 10 gal. Freshwater tank, and they are doing just fine. Although, one of them keeps climbing up the air tube attached to my led volcano, and it even goes in the filter sometimes. I blocked off the top with a towel so they can't escape, but I was wondering why it does that. I also have rocks/aquarium gravel in the tank, but I heard they need sand. Are they fine without it, because mine are fine. Finally, I heard they need brackish water, but I have other fish in the tank (they are all compatible), so I don't wanna end up killing the other fish by changing the water. The water is up to the top with a little space, at most 1 inch, at the very top, because I need room for the fish to swim.

list of fish I have:
-Blue glofish tetra
-5 black skirt tetras
-Zebrafish
-Red fire wag platy
-3 neon tetras
-2 black neon tetras
-Dalmatian molly
-Golden molly
-Panda Catfish
-Emerald Cory catfish
-Rainbow shark
-2 red claw crabs
-Japanese Algae Eater Shrimp (he always hides)

Welcome to Fishlore

Your tank is extremely overstocked. Do not always trust your lfs for advice they are usually wrong or misinformed. You will need to rehome all the fish in the tank except for the Platy as none of them can be kept in a 10 gallon.

 

A lot of pet stores will say whatever they need to in order to make a sale, unfortunately. But yeah, most of those fish will be much happier with more space. I think Anders247 is better at explaining these kinds of things.

 

My fish have been fine, there is actually plenty of room. I am fine with the fish, I was just wondering about the crabs. TheCrayFishKing answered my question. Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

 

Welcome to fishlore!
Unfortunately, your fish will grow, and they will not have plenty of space in a 10g. It is way overstocked.
Edit: TexasDomer can also help.

 

OP doesn't sound like he/she wants help with stocking. Quite unfortunate, as we look out for the fish. Fish stores are out to make a profit, so they tell you you can add lots more fish than you really should.

 

OP doesn't sound like he/she wants help with stocking. Quite unfortunate, as we look out for the fish. Fish stores are out to make a profit, so they tell you you can add lots more fish than you really should.

Who's OP??

 

Who's OP??

OP means original poster