can you cross breed

[brad873]

is it possible to cross breed crabs???? it would be cool if you culd, and breed them in captivaty. just think of the possibilytees. hardy straws, PP's with a large range of color, jumbo ruggies. and the mixes must have amazing color. i read on hear once someone fond green crabs that wernt ruggies or e's, so it may be possible

[annopia]

well, it is very very very difficult to breed hermies in captivity even within their own species. i know some crabbers have gotten egg laid and even hatch, but none of the offspring have reached the stage where they are large enough to "come ashore" and take up shells. although its hard to know without trying, i think it is usually thought that they can't crossbreed.

Caroline

[brad873]

ive read hear that a PP and a straw had a go at it, but no eggs were produced, but that does not mean its not possibe. also, i have so news. i cant find the site, but i saw an experiment with zoea. the crab was taken from a beach with fertile eggs. the eggs hached and servived to juvinile crabs that came ashor with shells. as far as i know, some are stil alive. just a look on the net and it seems there have been a few succeses with breeding

[Dawn]

I had the straw and the pp attempt to mate. (Female straw, male purple pincher) When it happened, I was told that it never happens and never could produce any offspring because the sex organs won't line up between the species. I wondered about this and why would they try it more than once if they "didn't line up"...The statement made no sense to me but I'm not a biologist...

For what it's worth, they tried but didn't produce anything other than anxious owners...

I'm hoping to have a salt water set up again by the spring and if it happens again...Try it again. This go around I have my strawberries separate from the rest of the population (the others are just too agressive toward the straws, apparently, during molting and such) but if I see any shinanigans going on...I'll be ready, hopefully.

[MudCrabDude]

Fascinating read.

In the wild, I've heard about natural hybirds occurring between really close species of animals, such as grouse, tarantulas, two stone crab species in Florida, and likely Scylla mud crabs...I presume it's possible in a more controlled artificial environment.

Also, hybridization seems to be a very volatile topic for other "exotic" creatures kept in the pet trade that are gradually disappearing in the wild - but I think this won't be too much of a priority in land hermit husbandry...yet (at least until consistent captive breeding finally gets established).

[Dawn]

I agree. Sooner or later it has to happen with hermit crabs where they mate in captivity. And if someone has many species together, it's got to happen that someone interbreeds...It has to happen, logically. We just have to be smart and very very lucky...