Horseshoe crab problems

hi

ive had two horseshoe crabs fo about 2-3 months now and recently all they do is sit buried in the sand and dont move i check on them every now and ten (make sure they havent died) and there still alive but im geting worryed about if there alright i have heard they they tend to starve to death when in tanks and i was just wondering what was the best thing to feed them and if tetra marine granules xs, tetra marine crisps and mysis where ok to be feeding them if not what is best and how to feed them just put it in the sand next to them or will they find it themselfs before my other fish find it

cheers

 

I have never had horseshoe crabs but I have always wanted one.

I think i read some where that you can bury mysis shrimp in the sand and they will find it.

 

I've heard they will nimble on meaty items like squid, shrimps, clams, etc. I would have no idea how one would go about target feeding without the rest of the cleanup crew stealing the food though.

 

They prefer cooler temperatures and a large tank ideally with a mature DSB for food stuff in the sand such as worms, crustaceans etc. They are best kept in a tank with no rock; can get trapped in the rock work. High flow can cause them problems aswell. they don't have true jaws just bristles (they have to walk to move the bristles) which they use to break up their food so require small food morsals. They can also get quite large when fed well >2feet (12inch diameter).

 

I had one in my 24gal nano.. I fed mine wardleys shrimp pellets...when you see it out drop food of your choice and it should stop rite on it and start to gubb on it... but if it hides it is completly normal and i some times dont see mine for days... and mine normaly comes out at nite when nobodys up.. I can tell that mines been up by seein plow marks in the sand..




Good LUck....

 

cheers for all the replys i hope there alright ill try target feeding them if not ill take them out into a QT and feed them, that way at least i know they've eaten and havent had there food taken by the other fish